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REAL ETHICS by Steve Stazel | April 2008 | Index of all Real Ethics columns
Does your website follow the NAR Code of Ethics?
The National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics Standard of Practice 12-9 states that “REALTOR® firm websites shall disclose the firm’s name and state(s) of licensure in a reasonable and readily apparent manner. Websites of REALTORS® and non-member licensees affiliated with a REALTOR® firm shall disclose the firm’s name and the REALTOR®’s or non-member licensee’s state(s) of licensure in a reasonable and readily apparent manner.”
Is your website in compliance? Is your firm’s name readily apparent?
The Colorado Real Estate Commission (CREC) agrees with the Code. In Rule E-8, the Commission states that “A real estate licensee who performs any act requiring a license, including advertising or advertising property belonging to another, shall do so in the name of the employing broker.”
Standard of Practice 12-8 states that “The obligation to present a true picture in representations to the public includes information presented, provided, or displayed on REALTORS®’ websites. REALTORS® shall use reasonable efforts to ensure that information on their websites is current. When it becomes apparent that information on a REALTOR®’s website is no longer current or accurate, REALTORS® shall promptly take corrective action.”
Each month, the Aurora Association of REALTORSŪ Web site features Real Ethics,
a column by Steve Stazel devoted to explaining Code of
Ethics issues for members. A REALTORŪ since 1974, Stazel is a Professional Standards
instructor and senior Ethics
instructor for the Colorado Association of REALTORSŪ.
If you have an ethical concern or an issue you would like
to see addressed, please call Stazel at (303) 773-3333 or e-mail him at
stazels@msn.com. The comments of this article reflect the understanding and
opinions of the author and do not represent an official expression of policy by the National Association
of REALTORSŪ.
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