It is very important to me to maintain ethical business practice at all times.  To help the public understand what to expect, here is part of our Code of Ethics provided by the Association of Realtors.  For a complete version of the Code, click here for a  link to the website.  Mary


Duties to Clients and Customers

When representing a buyer, seller, or other client as an agent, 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. When serving a buyer, or seller, in a non-agency capacity, REALTORS® remain obligated to treat all parties honestly. 

REALTORS®, in attempting to secure a listing, shall not deliberately mislead the owner as to market value.

REALTORS®, when seeking to become a buyer/tenant representative, shall not mislead buyers or tenants as to savings or other benefits that might be realized through use of the REALTOR®´s services.

REALTORS® may represent the seller/landlord and buyer/tenant in the same transaction only after full disclosure to and with informed consent of both parties. 

REALTORS® shall submit offers and counter-offers objectively and as quickly as possible.

When acting as listing brokers, REALTORS® shall continue to submit to the seller/landlord all offers and counter-offers until closing or execution of a lease unless the seller/landlord has waived this obligation in writing.

The obligation of REALTORS® to preserve confidential information provided by their clients in the course of any agency relationship or non-agency relationship recognized by law continues after termination of agency relationships or any non-agency relationships recognized by law. REALTORS® shall not knowingly, during or following the termination of professional relationships with their clients:

    1. reveal confidential information of clients; or

    2. use confidential information of clients to the disadvantage of clients; or

    3. use confidential information of clients for the REALTOR®´s advantage or the advantage of third parties unless:

      1. clients consent after full disclosure; or
      2. REALTORS® are required by court order; or
      3. it is the intention of a client to commit a crime and the information is necessary to prevent the crime; or
      4. it is necessary to defend a REALTOR® or the REALTOR®´s employees or associates against an accusation of wrongful conduct.

    Information concerning latent material defects is not considered confidential information under this Code of Ethics.

      REALTORS® who are employed to maintain or manage a client´s property shall exercise due diligence and make reasonable efforts to protect it against reasonably foreseeable contingencies and losses.
      When entering into buyer/tenant agreements, REALTORS® must advise potential clients of:

        1. the REALTOR®´s company policies regarding cooperation;

        2. the amount of compensation to be paid by the client;

        3. the potential for additional or offsetting compensation from other brokers, from the seller or landlord, or from other parties;

        4. any potential for the buyer/tenant representative to act as a disclosed dual agent, e.g. listing broker, subagent, landlord´s agent, etc., and

        5. REALTORS® shall avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation, or concealment of pertinent facts relating to the property or the transaction. REALTORS® shall not, however, be obligated to discover latent defects in the property