A real estate agent is a Realtor® when he or she becomes a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, the world's largest professional association. The term Realtor® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Founded in 1908, NAR has grown from its original nucleus of 120 individuals to over 1 million members in 1,500 local associations today. NAR is composed of Realtors® who are involved in residential and commercial real estate as brokers, salespeople, property managers, appraisers, counselors and others who are engaged in all aspects of the real estate industry.

The Code of Ethics contains 17 articles that are divided into three sections: Duties to Clients and Customers, Duties to the Public and Duties to Realtors®. Most of the Articles have Standards of Practice that clarify the intent of the article. The first five of the nine Duties to Clients and Customers Articles are presented here. The November 14 article will contain the balance of the Duties to Clients and Customers Articles as well as those Articles that deal with Duties to the Public.

For a complete copy of the Code of Ethics, visit nar.realtor online.

Article 1

When representing a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant, or other client as an agent, Realtors® pledge themselves to protect and promote the interests of their client. This obligation to the client is primary, but it does not relieve Realtors® of their obligation to treat all parties honestly. When serving a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant or other party in a non-agency capacity, Realtors® remain obligated to treat all parties honestly.

Article 2

Realtors® shall avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation, or concealment of pertinent facts relating to the property or the transaction. Realtors® shall not, however, be obligated to discover latent defects in the property, to advise on matters outside the scope of their real estate license, or to disclose facts which are confidential under the scope of agency or non-agency relationships as defined by state law.

Article 3

Realtors® shall cooperate with other brokers except when cooperation is not in the client's best interest. The obligation to cooperate does not include the obligation to share commissions, fees, or to otherwise compensate another broker.

Article 4

Realtors® shall not acquire an interest in or buy or present offers from themselves, any member of their immediate families, their firms or any member thereof, or any entities in which they have any ownership interest, any real property without making their true position known to the owner or the owner's agent or broker. In selling property they own, or in which they have any interest, Realtors® shall reveal their ownership or interest in writing to the purchaser or the purchaser's representative.

Article 5

Realtors® shall not undertake to provide professional services concerning a property or its value where they have a present or contemplated interest unless such interest is specifically disclosed to all affected parties.

Visit our web site at easternctrealtors.com.