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Vail Daily, June 23, 1996 by Karen Wilhelm In most states, a real estate agent must be licensed by the state, but is not required to be a REALTOR. A real estate salesperson or broker desiring to become a REALTOR must make application to his or her local Board of REALTORs. Current REALTOR members have an opportunity to state any objection to the request for membership. Once the application is accepted, new members must take a class to familiarize themselves with the responsibilities and benefits of the title and they then become members of the National Association of REALTORs. REALTORs are bound by a strict code of ethics that encompasses articles and standards of practice. The articles impose ethical obligations and the standards or practice serve to help clarify them. The code of ethics was adopted in 1913 and has continued to be ammended over the years. Articles include duties to clients and customers, to the public and to other REALTORs. The essence of the code is the Golden Rule. The code is enforced through professional standards committees of the local board. Through grievance procedures, complaints from the public as well as from other members of the board are heard and disputes arbitrated. Only state license laws govern real estate agents that are not REALTORs. In addition to the major emphasis on ethical behavior, membership in the local board allows REALTORs the opportunity to affect important industry issues and community interest through participation in several programs. Political action committees protect the interest of homeowners and private property rights through diligent attention to laws and proposed changes with local and national politicians. Numerous behind-the-scenes REALTORs work on additional committees to provide ongoing quality education for their members, technological research and recommendations, and community seervice work such as affordable housing and fundraisers. REALTORs continuously strive to become and remain informed on issues affecting real estate and to maintain and improve the standards of their industry and take responsibility for its integrity and honor. The term REALTOR has come to connote competency, fairness and high integrity resulting from adherence to a lofty ideal of moral conduct in business relations. Karen Wilhelm, MBA, CRS, GRI is a REALTOR and a Broker for
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