Most of us know we have the ActiveRain Guidelines. I mean, all social networks have guidelines to follow don't they?  Common sense tells us that we as Real Estate Industry professionals KNOW that we have to hold ourselves in the highest standard anyway, right?

Well, maybe some don't but I can tell you this:

Most Realtors® abide by the The Realtor Code of Ethics® and though some may ‘forget' let's review what Article 15 is all about. Our Honolulu Board of Realtors® puts out a quarterly update newsletter on the happenings for our Honolulu Hawaii Real Estate Industry including market updates and reviewing things some may have ‘forgotten' and they discussed Article 15 as well which I'll expound further.

ARTICLE 15   REALTORS® shall not knowingly or recklessly make false or misleading statements about competitors, their businesses, or their business practices.  (Amended 1/92)

• STANDARD OF PRACTICE 15-1   REALTORS® shall not knowingly or recklessly file false or unfounded ethics complainted.  (Adopted 1/00)
• STANDARD OF PRACTICE 15-2   The obligation to refrain from making false or misleading statements about competitors' businesses and competitors' business practices includes the duty to not knowingly or recklessly repeat, retransmit, or republish false or misleading statements made by others. This duty applies whether false or misleading statements are repeated in person, in writing, by technological means (e.g., the INTERNET), or by any other means.   (Adopted 1/07)

Standard of Practice 15-2 was adopted in January 2007 which was right about when all the social networking & blogging sites as well as the internet presences of website unfolded into a huge market for Real Estate Industry professionals. It was a chance to show some transparency to our true being while writing about our business.

Statistics have shown that 85% of all home buyers and sellers are on the internet looking at homes, in search of loan officers, stagers, home inspectors and everything to do with real estate. Real Estate professionals are on the internet connecting with peers to refer their clients to.

And while perusing the many articles online, consumers and our peers see the snide remarks, name mentioning and name calling while trying to get some information.

They see the judgmental posts and comments that clearly show a closed mind.

This in turn includes those that don't like what one person says in their comments or in a post.......and in turn retaliate with another post to make sure everyone sees it ‘their way'.

For those of you that continuously put yourself ‘out there' on the internet we need to remind ourselves how we conduct ourselves in "PUBLIC" on the internet. It's one thing to be competitive in our market, another to be downright rude, obnoxious and judgmental with the intent of being mean, snide and demeaning.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Are you conducting yourself as you would face to face with a person?
• How do you want the consumer and your peers to see you?
• Are you following your COE and federal/state laws?
• Are you complimenting or hurting your business with your written word?
• Are there ulterior motives to your being blunt and honest? (i.e. the intent)
• Are you writing and commenting on things your Broker, Company, Board and Associations would clearly disapprove of?
• Are you setting a good example for others in the industry to follow?

There are NO taking back those written words.

ANYONE can join this network and read ALL posts.

Our legacy online will last a lifetime and beyond.

What do you want to be remembered for?

WATCHING OUR LANGUAGE Part I - Advertising Our Listings at What Cost?

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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs, she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com