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Ethics & The Realtor: The Sleep Test!

Reblogger
Real Estate Agent with Integrity Real Estate Group

Another post that hits the nail on the head when it comes to knowing whether you are doing the right thing in your business.  Can you sleep at night?  Though it shouldn't be a question whether what you are doing is ethical but ask your broker if you don't know and if you wonder whether it's legal ask an attorney. 

 

Original content by Erica Ramus RM420589

 

clockCan you sleep at night? We all have occasional sleepless nights. Nights you toss & turn and worry about what you did today (and didn't get time to do)... and what you'd better not forget to do tomorrow.

I tend to replay scenes in my head and go over things I must do tomorrow until I am wide-eyed and in no condition to sleep. Then I'll get up and do some work, on the computer until I get it out of my system.

A while ago, an agent outside my company asked me how to define my ETHICS. He was having trouble sleeping because a deal was "haunting" him (his words). He felt he may not have done the right thing in a particular situation.

It was not illegal. It was not "wrong" from a real estate commission standard. But it was definitely not "right". And it was causing him to lay awake thinking about it over and over again.

It was in what I consider a gray area. I told him I'm a Rotarian, and we have a 4-way test that I believe firmly in:

1. Is it the truth?

2. Is it fair to all concerned?

3. Will it build good will & better friendships?

4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Now you could argue that being a Rotarian and being a realtor don't always mesh with the Rotary test. For example, Is it fair to all concerned? If you represent one side, are you always fair to all concerned? Probably not. It's your JOB to represent the one side, not be fair to the other one. 

Yes we have the realtor code of ethics we are to live by. But I think it's a sad state of our industry that this code takes up pages and pages of small print! Do we really have to define every possible violation and what is right / wrong? Identify every situation where an agent could be ethical/unethical? It shouldn't be that tough.

I dug a little deeper and here is what I consider rules to live by, to test if my actions are right or wrong. 

1. First, do no harm. To other agents, to buyers, to sellers, to anyone involved in a transaction

2. Make the world a little better than it was before. Does my action make things better or worse for the parties involved?

3. Treat everyone involved with respect. No matter how rude they are to you!

4. Tell the truth. No white lies, no puffing or bluffing or exaggerations. 

5. Treat everyone fair--the way you'd like to be treated if you were in the other guy's shoes.

6. Show compassion.

7. Represent your client to the utmost, best of your abilities. Never put your own benefit above theirs.

8. All decisions are theirs, not yours. Remember that. 

9. Words said in confidence should remain secret, unless they give you permission to divulge. 

10. If you cannot sleep because you wonder if something is right or wrong, there is your answer. It's wrong.

 

None of us are perfect, and we can all learn from the mistakes we make. We just have to admit it and move on. I hope this agent sleeps better now! 

 

 

 

 

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Erica Ramus is Broker/Owner of Realty Executives in Pottsville, PA. If you're looking for a PROFESSIONAL to represent you in all of your Schuylkill County real estate needs, call Realty Executives at 570-622-6006. Serving all of Schuylkill County ... Pottsville, Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Haven, Auburn, Pine Grove, Frackville, Minersville, Ashland, Shenandoah, Port Carbon, Palo Alto, St. Clair, Barnesville real estate. Click on the link above to search Pottsville PA homes for sale or anySchuylkill County homes for sale. We have all properties listed for sale in theSchuylkill MLS on our website -- free search! No registration is required!

We also run Schuylkill Appraisal Services, for all your appraisal needs in the area. If you need an appraisal, we are your Schuylkill County appraisal source. 

And for all your commercial needs in Schuylkill County check out Schuylkill Business for your Schuylkill County commercial real estate.


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Comments (13)

Peggy Chirico
Prudential CT Realty - Manchester, CT
REALTOR® 860-748-8900, Hartford & Tolland County Real Estate

Thank you for reblogging this, Cindy.  I missed it and shouldn't have. Excellent.

Sep 11, 2011 12:57 PM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Cindy,

Excellent reblog. I like the simplicity that Erica espouses in her post.

Rich

Sep 11, 2011 01:45 PM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

Great post to reblog!  Love your new photo - that is adorable!

Sep 11, 2011 02:26 PM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Cindy, I'll wave back to your new photo, and I like the reblog....we all can relate!

Sep 11, 2011 02:27 PM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Peggy-it is a great message.  Glad you caught it the second time around.

Sep 12, 2011 12:21 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Richard-that's why it caught my attention too.

Sep 12, 2011 12:21 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Susan-thanks for stopping by.  Pat Kennedy took the photo at the MeetUp.

Sep 12, 2011 12:22 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Ellen-here's look at you kid :-)

Sep 12, 2011 12:22 AM
Nathan Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Davenport, FL
Your Central Florida Real Estate Expert

That's a great post to re-blog. I'm sure we have all been in a situation where we had to make a tough decision and it's up to us as individuals to make the decision that allows us to look in the mirror. I know for a fact that I have lost money because I'm not willing to give up my honor to make a buck. But it can be tough sometimes.

Sep 12, 2011 05:30 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Nathan-good for you.  I know it is hard in our business to turn down business but I have done it and will continue to if I'm going to have to be looking over my shoulder all the time.

Sep 13, 2011 02:45 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Cindy   I just love this post . it is a fantastic re blog .I missed it when Erica posted it . It is very informative and so true . I am surprised it was not a featured post !

Hannah

Sep 13, 2011 04:24 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Hannah-I was too.  I know I pushed the suggest button :-)

Sep 13, 2011 10:02 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Cindy, Thanks for reblogging I missed the original post. I just stopped by to Congratulate you on your Million points. I read about it on Chris Ann's Blog. Congratulations!

Sep 16, 2011 07:02 AM