REALTORS® KNOW, “UNDER ALL IS THE LAND”
Abstract: “Under all is the Land” is the opening phrase of the Preamble to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics. These words remind REALTORS® that when it comes down to it, underneath our communities and, for that matter, underneath our civilization is the land. These words and the entire Preamble remind REALTORS® of the important role that we, who help others, buy and sell that land, play in the lives of our communities and the families we serve.
by Mark Stallmann, GRI, ePRO
Chief Executive Officer
St. Charles Association of REALTORS®®
“Under all is the Land” is the opening phrase of the Preamble to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics. These words remind REALTORS® that when it comes down to it, underneath our communities and, for that matter, underneath our civilization is the land. These words and the entire Preamble remind REALTORS® of the important role that we, who help others, buy and sell that land, play in the lives of our communities and the families we serve.
If you have been a regular reader of these columns, you have read several times about the outstanding service that REALTORS® provide to their customers and clients. The words of the Preamble and these past columns came to mind recently when I opened an e-mail from a reader of this column. The e-mail detailed the writer’s unhappy dealings with a Realtor. While I know that most REALTORS® provide their clients with outstanding service, mistakes sometimes happen among the 1.2 million members of the REALTOR® organization. It was, of course, disappointing to hear that a member of our REALTOR® family had apparently failed to live up to the standards of our Code of Ethics.
Though I was disappointed, I was proud to be able to tell the writer that REALTORS® are committed to the standards set forth in our Code of Ethics. Recognizing the important role that its members play in the lives of most American families, the REALTOR® organization established its Code of Ethics in 1913. The Code of Ethics was established long before any regulations governing real estate agents were enacted by the government. In fact, the REALTOR® Code of Ethics formed the basis for most of the real estate license laws that exist in our country. The Code of Ethics, of course, is reviewed every year and updated to keep current with the changing face of our industry.
The Code of Ethics sets standards for REALTORS® in dealing with the public, with their customers and clients, and with their fellow REALTORS®. Among other things, the Code requires: loyalty to their clients, disclosure of pertinent facts regarding the property, truth in advertising, competency in their activities, cooperation with their fellow REALTORS®, and honesty to all parties involved in a transaction.
Our Code of Ethics stands behind our commitment to our customers and clients. The REALTOR® organization takes this commitment seriously; all written complaints alleging unethical conduct are reviewed by the REALTOR® organization. The Columbia Board of REALTORS® from time to time receives complaints alleging unethical conduct by one of our members. Any individual can file a compliant; however; all complaints must be in writing and be filed within 180 days of the alleged unethical activity.
Every complaint is presented to the Missouri Association of REALTORS® which administers the enforcement of the Code of Ethics for the Board. Every Complaint is reviewed by the Grievance Committee of the Association. The Grievance Committee is an appointed group of Missouri REALTORS® who have received specialized training in the Code of Ethics. If the Grievance Committee thinks that, based on the information presented, a violation of the Code of Ethics may have occurred, they forward the complaint to a hearing panel. The hearing panel conducts a hearing, and hears evidence from both the complaining party and the REALTOR® accused of unethical activity. Once a panel hears all the evidence, they decide if there was actually a violation of the Code of Ethics.
If a Realtor is found guilty of violating the Code of Ethics, the panel decides what punishment s/he should receive. That punishment could include a variety of things depending on the severity of the violation, such as: a letter of warning, a fine, required education, or suspension or revocation of his/her membership in the REALTOR® organization.
The Association, however, does not have the authority to make the REALTOR® pay damages to the complaining party. That is a matter for the court system. REALTORS® are strongly committed to the Code of Ethics and the high standards of conduct that it requires. Every new member of the Columbia Board is required to complete a training class on the principles and requirements of the Code of Ethics. In addition, all members of the National Association of REALTORS® are required to complete periodic ethics training as a condition of their ongoing membership in the Association.
REALTORS® are committed to providing your family with highest quality ethical and professional assistance in your journey to “Your Place to Call Home.” We know that in the final analysis, “Under all is the Land.”
