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There is no Designation for Integrity

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker 69190

Columbia, SC Homes for Sale 

We as real estate professionals have a wide variety of designations at our disposal. Anything from Graduates of the Realtor Institute, to Certified Residential Specialists, to Certified Green Home Specialists. Any of these designations can certainly prove that you have taken the time to go beyond the average training to receive greater education in your field.

 But there is now designation for integrity, and all the letters in the world following your name will be useless with out it. We as Realtors have a code of ethics and at the very least claim to hold ourselves to a higher standard of practice by becoming a Realtor rather than just an agent. But even the code of ethics itself can sometimes remain open for interpretation and doesn't ensure that even a Realtor is truly acting in the very best interests of their clients.

Columbia, SC Homes for Sale

 

 There are no classes available that will teach you morality. There are no seminars that will show you how to do the right thing where your clients are concerned. This is simple though, you just have to remember the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Regardless of how you justify your stance on a given situation, every legally sane human on the planet knows the difference between right and wrong.

 You know when you are acting in the best interest of your clients to protect them and put them first. After working with you for a short period of time, they will know whether or not you are working for them or yourself as well. Always put your clients needs first. It's the best way to truly show them that they are receiving the representation that they deserve. You might not get letters next to your name for doing it, but you will get something just as important. Happy Client!

Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

JL...

When you are right, you are SO right!

Featured in the Group "Whacked!!!"

Mar 11, 2010 03:53 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

JL...There is nothing that says because you put a bunch of initials behind your name that you will do what is right and honorable.

Mar 11, 2010 04:39 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
JL, integrity should be a given. For some they need to work on it...
Mar 11, 2010 05:53 AM
Liz Loadholt
Liz Loadholt- AgentOwned Realty- Covering SC - Mount Pleasant, SC
Realtor--Broker-in-charge - Trainer--Relocation Director Covering SC

JL ---- and I might add, a good peaceful night's sleep -- great post -- when I teach ethics, I always point back to Do under others....... and also, What goes around comes around.
                                                                      
                                                                                                     The AgentOwned Realty  <br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>Company - Mama  Liz Signature<br/> with blue'

Mar 11, 2010 06:15 AM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

No JL, one doesn't have fancy shamancy letters for having integrity and honesty but you usually get referrals which are  way more valuable in my eyes! Your post just goes to show what a wonderful agent and the stand up kinda person you are.

I know you go the extra mile, if I remember correctly didn't you hop a back fence to track a builder down for your client?

Mar 11, 2010 06:26 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

JL

Integrity comes from the heart and either we have it or we don't. Long term successful people do.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Mar 11, 2010 01:05 PM
Claude Cross
Homes By Cross, Inc. - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte NC Homes For Sale

JL - The Realtor that lasts has an ethical base. It's about the best interests of your client. Excellent post.

Mar 11, 2010 01:10 PM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Hi JL . . . Integrity should never be a four-letter word.

Mar 11, 2010 01:48 PM
Team Honeycutt
Allen Tate - Concord, NC

Great blog,  I think these are the times I get most frustrated with being a realtor is when other realtors give us a bad name.

shelton

Mar 12, 2010 01:58 AM
David Dee
RMX REALTY - Alhambra, CA
Real Estate - San Gabriel Valley (L.A.) & N. Orang

From the desk of David Dee,

JL, integrity is a high standard which we should always hold on to. It is part of our fiduciary duty to look out for our client's best interest.

Mar 12, 2010 07:26 PM
Ty Lacroix
Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc - London, ON

JL

The rewards of integrity are referrals and a good nights sleep.

Ty

Mar 12, 2010 11:43 PM
Claudette Millette
The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA
Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

JL:

The case for integrity is often spelled out in client testimonials. But, if you are offering a designation course, I would be interested in reading the curriculum.  What would the designation letters be?

INTEG.

 

Mar 12, 2010 11:49 PM
Suzanne McLaughlin
Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN
Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

JL - We have had this discussion before I am reminded.  It might be painful to do the right thing.  It might be awkward, inconvenient and downright distasteful sometimes, but doing right will always be its own reward.  Great post! 

Mar 12, 2010 11:55 PM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson
Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR
The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

Kudos JL - I absolutely could not have said this better myself!  I adhere to the Golden Rule in everything I do and I take the Realtor Standards and Code of Ethics very seriously.  Always do the right thing and you never have to look over your shoulder and wonder.  Great post!  Worth a re-blog!

Mar 13, 2010 03:34 AM
Robert L. Brown
www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic

Timely post. You should have about 3000 agents comment on this. It's either you have it or you don't.

Mar 13, 2010 04:09 AM
Don Sabinske
Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates Inc. - Zimmerman, MN
Sabinske & Associates Inc.

JL - It deserved a reblog for my client base.  Interesting and commendable.  I enjoy your thought-provoking posts. 

Mar 14, 2010 03:21 PM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

You are so right, JL!  With matters like this, it's black and white!  When dealing with integrity there are no gray areas!

Mar 17, 2010 01:09 AM
Julie Chapman
Julie Chapman Broker - Ormond Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

JL,

Amen......you are preaching to the choir.......love it.....

Mar 21, 2010 03:11 AM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

Hi JL!  I feel like I haven't been here in a while. This is an excellent post, as always!  You either have integrity or you do not.  xxoo

Mar 27, 2010 02:50 PM
Sara Woolford & Steve Golson, ALHS
iTexas Realty Co. - San Antonio, TX

Hi JL-

It takes us all day t0o do right by our clients and it it worth every moment.  They always know the difference and it forms the bedrock of a long relationship.

Sara in San Antonio

May 27, 2010 04:42 PM