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Ethics, Anybody Heard of Them?

By
Real Estate Agent with REMAX Properties 20569686

I am in the process of filing an ethics complaint. This is not something I wanted to have to do but my hands are tied. I am feeling somewhat frustrated with the actions of agents that are supposed to be experienced. Now I am not making generalizations, but I feel as though we all go through the same training. We all have to take certain continuing education classes. It's not a mystery. So when someone blatantly disregards the Code of Ethics and doesn't suffer any consequences for their actions it really irritates me. I have been a true professional through the entire ordeal and all I can do is hope this will send a message to the other agent that unethical behavior will not be tolerated. Not by me anyway. Many agents have contacted me with their own stories of unethical behavior by this same agent. The question I continue to ask is: "Did any of you do anything about it?" Which is met by a resounding "No". I am using this venue to plead with my fellow Real Estate Agents, please don't allow unethical behavior to go unnoticed. Filing a complaint is definitly not an easy process, but I feel like I'm doing what I have to do to help our profession fight against an all too common misconception that we are just salesman looking for a commission.

Comments(12)

Lorna Justice
Cutler Real Estate - Hudson, OH
Hudson Area Homes

Kisti:  I have been an agent a little over a year, but in the industry for over ten.  Your complaint is not uncommon.  I think every community has one of those agents that pushes the limits and is not reported.  I agree with you that they need to be checked up.  If we don't monitor our own, then we will likely become monitored by those who don't understand our industry.  Good luck.

Lorna Justice  RE/MAX Legacy Hudson, OH

Mar 07, 2008 02:23 AM
Tim Fennell
The Legends of Real Estate, REALTORS® - Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville Real Estate

Kisti,

Please keep us updated as to the results of your complaint.  I think that the reason many of us do not file complaints is that we don't believe anything will be done and that we will suffer more than the offender.  Also, it can be very difficult to prove the allegations made and take many months.  We support you... go get 'em!

Mar 07, 2008 02:33 AM
Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR - Searcy, AR

Kisti,

I wish we would all treat each other with the respect we each deserve.  I have never filed a complaint, never had any reason to, but I have talked with other Realtors who should have filed, and didn't!

Mar 07, 2008 02:40 AM
Steven Keefe
Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty - Lake Arrowhead, CA

It is important to hold an offender accountable.  The process is not fun, but a necessary part of what we need to do to keep our industry on the up and up and weed out the bad guys.

Steve Keefe
Broker/Owner
Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty
www.mountainmoves.com
www.mountainupdate.com

 

Mar 07, 2008 02:41 AM
Renae Bolton
Marketing 4 Realtors - Garfield Heights, OH
I'm your Professional Real Estate Marketing VA!

I think that Tim and Susan hit the nail on the head.  We are too afraid to report someone because of the backlash on us.

I recently reported that I saw somone in the grocery store who was obviously shoplifting.  I was quite offended because I felt as though, if I had to pay for my groceries then he should have to pay for them as well.  So I found a manager and let him know what was happening.  The same day, I was waiting in the drive-thru for Arby's (love those crispy chicken salads!!) and saw someone in a beat-up car slide into and hit a new-looking car.  The damage was obvious on the bumper of the hit car.  The guys got of of their car, looked at the other car they hit, laughed and went into Arby's like nothing had happened.  I couldn't believe it!!  So I wrote down their license plate number and the make and model of the car with a note of what I saw, included my telephone number and e-mail address and put that piece of paper on the windshield of the car that was hit. While I was waiting for my order, the guys came out, looked at the car the had hit again, and drove away.  So I was glad I wrote that information down.

When I told my mother what had happened that day, she was shocked that I got involved in either situation and immediately started talking about what would happen if the other parties found out what I had done.

I maintain - right is right and wrong is wrong.  How can I raise my children to do the right thing if I don't?

~Renae

Mar 07, 2008 03:35 AM
Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH
The issue of entitlement keeps rearing it's ugly head, the last 5 years monkey could be successful selling real estate if you could take and order you could make money. Now it takes a lot more, and there are no easy deals so the ones who got away with little effort in the past are being slippery to make a living. I think it's time to cull out the bad apples so the rest of us can practise our Noble profession without the few spoiling the barrel  good for you!
Mar 07, 2008 04:05 AM
Kisti Skaar
REMAX Properties - Albert Lea, MN
Steve-Thanks for the encouragement. I know it's been a trying time for all of us as of late and I'd hate to think that because of this there are people resorting to unethical practices to get a paycheck. I feel good about my decision and I hope to reach a reasonable conclusion at the end of all this.
Mar 07, 2008 04:09 AM
Kisti Skaar
REMAX Properties - Albert Lea, MN
Tim & Susan-Thanks so much for the support! It really makes a difference. I know I'm doing the right thing but it can be an intimidating process. I'm taking it all the way and I will definitely let you know how it comes out. Thanks Again!
Mar 07, 2008 04:11 AM
Kisti Skaar
REMAX Properties - Albert Lea, MN
Renae-Good for you! I'm not trying to sound high and mighty, but I'm with you-right is right and wrong is wrong. This is what I will instill into my children and hope they make good choices also.
Mar 07, 2008 04:13 AM
Lynn Johnson
Coldwell Banker Home Connection - Owatonna, MN
Owatonna, MN Real Estate
Kisti - Good luck on the upcoming ethics complaint.  It's a big step, but the right one.  We're behind you all the way.
Mar 12, 2008 10:16 AM
Anonymous
CAI

Are you kidding me?? Lorna Justice is preaching Ethics? I am filing a formal complaint against her and her partner Jeff In Hudson Ohio. They are the two worst realtors in history. They are rude and do not return calls or turn in earnest money checks. They try to steal homes out from under legit clients so they can get a higher "listing agent" commission. I think this is becuase they deal with REO and HYD properties, so they feel like they really dont have to care. They are the ones who make other realtors have bad reputations and should have their licenses yanked and REMAX should pull their franchise. I will never do business with them and will do everything possible on my behlaf to put bad word of mouth out in N and Eastern Ohio to keep them from getting any future business. They need to seek help as they are they have to be the two most unhappy and miserable people I have ever met in my life.

Mar 20, 2009 01:45 PM
#11
Adrian Willanger
206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA
Profit from my two decades of experience

Kisti~I totally agree with and I admire your going forward with a complaint. In my twenty years I have filed two complaints and another was settled with the listing agent paying all my clients closing costs. Once we start cutting corners on ethics we become nothing more than salespeople trying to earn a commission. Stay the course.

Feb 06, 2011 10:14 AM