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Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Wanda,

The code of Ethics is something one has to agree to and follow.  I don't think that everyone reads it or follows it.  You cannot depend on it protecting you from others. A

May 16, 2015 03:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin I think the Code of Ethics is a standard by which all agents should follow to protect Clients/Customers and the public. I don't think the COE is designed to protect us from other agents and problems, but to set a standard and to help resolve issues and problems.

May 16, 2015 01:27 AM
Ambassador
1,452,819
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

In my opinion it serves no purpose other than convince a new licensee that all will be above board and trustworthy.  It takes just a few months to discover otherwise.  There will always be people who believe it is a suggestion not a requirement - much like speeding!

May 17, 2015 12:15 AM
Rainmaker
175,614
Spirit Messingham
Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ
Third Generation Full-Time Realtor® 520 471-6900

No.  It is to protect the clients (in my opinion) more than to protect myself, as we are "the experts" in our field.

May 16, 2015 05:44 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

If everyone was on the same page YES.

May 16, 2015 05:34 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I think it's meant to protect us as well as the industry.  Personally, I think the jury is out on how well it is being followed by some.  (Though, all in all, many of the best Realtors do a good job of following it.)

May 16, 2015 05:31 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

the code of ethics, in our area, is useless....when a complaint is filed, it results in a slap on the wrist....and the same actions continue to happen...

May 16, 2015 01:49 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

The Code of Ethics applies to the voluntary membership in the REALTOR club, NOT THE INDUSTRY.

Any such 'code' serves the exclusive purpose of those who wrote it. Any benefit to the REALTOR is purely coincidental. 

The end result achieved by those who author codes of control is the realization most REALTORS can not sell a house without the MLS.  Who is that protecting?

Now, consider if you will, a parallel path of a complaint filed via the Board or Realtors and one filed via the court systems. When considered in this regard. overwhelmingly the Board of Realtor and the Ethics Board are beneficial to the agents but you won't know why until you dig deeper.

May 16, 2015 10:43 PM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Although the code of ethics is a mutual agreement, there are some who have the ethics of a snake oil salesman.

May 16, 2015 07:13 PM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Wanda - According to the code itself, it is a level of professional responsibility everyone should expect from a Realtor, and it is based on protection of the public.

It does explain our duties towards our clients and customers, as well as towards the public and other Realtors, but I don't necessarily think that is to protect us. It is more about how we should conduct our business.

May 16, 2015 05:30 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

That is part of it also...but it also helps to protect us from ourselves.

May 16, 2015 01:38 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Yes that too. Agents treat other agents with reckless disregard and need policing. 

May 16, 2015 12:40 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

We would like to think so, but having sat on Grievance Committees in the past, I witnessed very few blatant violations going very far in the process.

May 16, 2015 08:20 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Designed? Yes

Dec 09, 2017 04:55 AM
Rainer
67,369
Evelyn M Epperson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Johns Creek, GA
A Tradition Of [Excellence, Trust & Service]

Yes absolutely!  Plus the Code of Ethics is to teach us how to stay out of trouble.  I have known many agents that have not followed the COE and end up losing their license & paying a hugh fine.

May 18, 2015 01:33 AM