Character Is Tested When You Are Up Against It

NAR Code of Ethics

I had fun earlier writing up some movie quotes. The title of this post is an actual quote from the movie Invincible. This was said to Coach Dick Vermeil  by his wife. She was actually quoting something he had always said. (don't you hate when your wife calls you out with your own words.) I believe your ethics is a big part of your character. This week while I was working and attending a class, the code of ethics came up. A professional Realtor® is supposed to abide by our code of ethics.   

Texas is a Non-disclosure State

The reason I bring this up is that I attended training where the instructor was touting how we violate the code of ethics sometimes without even realizing it. There were two breaches that hit home with me. The first one is really focused on Texas. I live and work in Frisco, TX. It is very important to me that I follow my code of ethics. For those of you not familiar with Texas laws we are a non-disclosure state. For this post, we are focusing on the fact that non-disclosure means no sold information is publicly reported. 

1st Breach

All the information regarding sold homes is actually captured through our MLS. As real estate agents we are the keepers of this information and this information should never be made public except when trying to provide backup as to why a home might sell for a particular price to a potential listing client. Yes I am talking about the CMA. In the same manner if your neighbor asked you what a home sold for, just out of curiosity, you should not provide that information. You are in essence breaking the code of ethics. A professional Texas Realtor® is not here to satisfy the curiosity of the public. Now this may or may not be carrying things too far but I certainly want to respect my code of ethics. 

2nd Breach

The second way many of us break the code of ethics is when we are dealing with buyers. If we are taking a buyer out that we just met and we do not have a signed Information About Broker Services (IABS) and a signed buyers representation agreement, then we are breaking the code of ethics. Again this is something, at least in the DFW area that many agents feel is a tough thing to ask from a person they may have just met. Often it is done just before presenting an offer. The interesting conversation is fodder for another post. 

I am sure there are opinions from many that vary from -" you are taking this too literally Jeff" to "that is exactly right" and everywhere in between. Again I am not judging. However the instructor was very clear on where he stood and how important the code of ethics is to our industry but here is the rub.

Do as I Say. Not as I Do

This instructor also was teaching about marketing and following up on open houses. He did say that his method was the way he did it and that it may not be for everyone. What he did say was that after the open house when he got back to his home he would call the attendees and say," I know I will follow up with you in a few days, but someone left a blue cross pen at the open house. I would hate to find out it was yours and I did nothing so I am making these calls." He went on and said that of course no one had lost it or it was his but that the attendees did not know that. 

Now I am thinking to myself this is a terribly old sales "trick." On top of that, you are really lying. Now it is not a harmful lie but it is still a lie. With the code of ethics being so important, I was thinking to myself does this instructor not see the hypocrisy he is demonstrating? In Article 1 of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the National Association of Realtors® clearly states: Realtors® pledge themselves to protect and promote the interests of their client. This obligation to the client is primary, but it does not relieve Realtors® of their obligation to treat all parties honestly. 

Where Do YOU Draw The Line

The real question after all this is simple: Where do you as a professional Realtor, draw the line with regards to your ethics? When you are up against it and the decision could mean a major difference for you, how will you act? We, as Professional Realtors, can each make a difference for the future. We can make it easier for the next generation of Realtors. We can change the public's perception of what a Realtor means.  By paying attention to a code of ethics we have all agreed to work and live by, we can make a difference. 

OK I fell better and am getting off my soap box. Please continue with your regularly scheduled programming.