By 2013 NAR President Gary Thomas
This time of year is very busy…work projects, gift shopping, holiday parties. It all seems to pile up, and most of us don’t need more to do. Even so, please let me put just one more thing on your Christmas list.
If you haven’t done so already, you have until December 31 to complete ethics training. As you probably know, REALTORS® are required to complete not less than two and one half hours of ethics instruction within a four-year cycle. This training must meet specific learning objectives and criteria established by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS®.
The year 2013 marks the centennial of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. The first Code was written before license laws and most other regulations governing real estate existed. It was one of the first times that codifications of ethical duties were adopted by any business group.
Modeled on ethical codes of physicians, engineers and lawyers, the Code was the precursor to state license laws. It was seen as a declaration of the industry’s principles and beliefs. Establishing ethical standards for real estate practitioners was the spark that led to organizing the National Association of REALTORS®.
Today, the Code is a living document that today undergoes annual review and revision to ensure it stays relevant.
Because it embodies the “Golden Rule,” the Code has been called a “golden thread,” uniting those devoted to raising the standards of professionalism and service in real estate.
It does this in a number of ways. One is by ensuring that consumers are served by requiring REALTORS® to cooperate with each other in furthering clients’ best interests. Other ways the Code unites REALTORS® is by demanding respect for others’ exclusive relationships with clients and keeping disputes between members “in the family” by requiring REALTORS® to arbitrate—and many associations require members to mediate. The Code is enforced at the local level through knowledgeable peer panels.
So don’t wait. December 31, 2012, is the deadline for all REALTORS® to complete NAR Code of Ethics training this cycle to maintain their membership. Training may be completed through local REALTOR® associations or through another method such as home study, correspondence, classroom courses or online courses. An online training course at REALTOR.org fulfills the requirement and is free of charge. Just go to REALTOR.org/COETraining.
Silver and gold…naughty or nice…learn the Code…don’t think twice!
by Gary Thomas, 2013 NAR President
I wanted to share with all REALTORS® the message that went to our members at the Newtown Board of REALTORS®, in Newtown, Conn., to let them know that the entire membership of NAR is sharing in their loss, and keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.
December 17, 2012
Ms. Eileen Brooks
2012 President
Newtown Board of REALTORS®
I write on behalf of the entire membership of the National Association of REALTORS® to express our deepest sympathies for the lives lost in last week’s tragic shooting. It is truly unfathomable to understand the tragedy, the loss of innocent lives and what it means to all of you who live there.
It is very difficult to accept that such terrible things happen in our world, especially in a town as quaint and traditional as Newtown. We understand that the incident has also touched your office, and our hearts go out to you.
Words seem inadequate to express the sadness of your loss, which is also our collective loss: young lives stopped before they had barely begun to unfold their promise.
If there is any comfort to be found, it was in the loving words offered by some of the family and loved ones of the victims. We should lean on the thoughts of Robbie Parker, whom you heard speak so eloquently about his own daughter Emilie.
He said, “Let it [be] something that inspires us to be better, to be more compassionate and humble people. Let us please keep the sentiments of love that we feel for our families, and the compassion that we feel for others—even complete strangers—and keep them with us at all times, not just in times of sorrow and tragedy. And may we do this so that we can better all of our communities, and all of our cities and all our states, so we can make everyone, everywhere in this country feel safe.”
We can’t say it any better. His words offer comfort and hope. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time and always.
Sincerely,
Gary Thomas
2013 President
National Association of REALTORS®
by Gary Thomas, NAR President
I recently had a good meeting with leaders in Congress and reminded them why the mortgage interest deduction is vital to the stability of the American housing market and economy. See more in the video below. And if you haven’t already answered our related Call for Action to ask Congress to do no harm to housing, please do so now. Thanks!
