Professional Ethics are not subjective.

Richard  I only hope everyone's 'personal ethics' are higher than the required 'professional ethics'.  Great blog and thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Ethics are our responsibility above and beyond what the law allows. Just because something is lawful does not make it ethical. That's one of the benefits/distinctions behind being a REALTOR - being held to a ethics standard above the law all agents have to follow.

Richard, It's "fun" to read in some of the real estate FB groups how often the term "unethical" is thrown around.  When in doubt, question the agent's ethics seems to be the default.

Other than "badmouthing another agent" I don't think there is anything in the Realtor COE that isn't also covered by Georgia Real Estate law or rules and regulations.  That being said I think I should only impose personal ethics on myself. I do however reserve the right to think less of people when I think their behavior is not above board and to "watch my back" when I happen to be doing business with them which is sometimes not easy to avoid.

The Code of Ethics is something I follow with great pride.  And my personal standards are probably higher than most would be comfortable with.  I don't like working in gray areas that, to me, are questionable.

Ethics can be hard to swallow but once down seldom come back up to haunt you.

I have never had an issue come back to me when I kept the ethics out in front.

Ethics should not be used as a weapon to make others feel badly.