Evening star., 1924-10-18
REALTORS ARE PIONEERS
IN IMPROVING PRACTICES
National association of Real Estate
Boards Among First of Business Groups
to Adopt Code of Ethics.

occasional misunderstanding Competi-
tion between brokers in the legitimate
pursuit of their business sometimes re-
suits in situations that are almost un-
avoidable, and in such instances
standard Guide is found in the code of
ethics to properly direct competitors in
conducting their business so as to avoid
friction and disagreements. Many per-
sons who enter into realty transactions
either as purchasers or sellers are un-
familiar with the ordinary customs and
procedure of real estate dealings and
have little or no knowledge of their
rights or responsibilities and the definite
rules of practice adopted by the realtors
is a standard and impartial index for
the broker to follow so as to assure the
maximum of protection to all parties.
Brokers' Relations.
AS between brokers it is manifestly
unfair for one broker to unduly infiu-
ence prospective customer from an
other broker to whom he has become
morally obligated for services rem
dered. Likewise, one broker should
not publicly criticise his competitor
unfairly. neither should he seek to
secure information that he could use
to the detriment of his competitor.
These. and many other similar in
stances. very definitely set out in the
feelings between brokers and stimu
late closer cooperation and mutual
respect. AS a result of this. members
of the realtors organization, while
very keen competitors, are operating
jointly with complete cooperation,
and thereby have not only materially
increased their opportunities for sue
cess, but have been able to render tho
public a broader and more intelligent
service.
In his relations to clients and the
public the realtor has a very definite
responsibility, which is clearly de-
fined in the various sections of the
code of ethics. Every realtor knows
that one of his first obligations to his
clients and the public is to equip him
self that he is in a position to fur
nish his customers the highest type
of professional service. This makes
it incumbent on the realtor to accept
only such calls for his service as he
is reasonably qualified to render.
Mere selling ability, so-called, is not
the basis for the service of the mod
ern realtor. He must be equipped
through training, study and expert
ence to render to his clients compe-
tent and Intelligent advice on the
many problems that are presented to
the property owner or the prospec-
the broker displays in his advice to
his customers frequently measures
his success in the real estate field.
As to Fee COLLECTIONS.
A broker is never justified under any
circumstances in collecting fees from
two parties to a transaction, unless
both parties have complete and full
knowledge of that fact and concur in
it. Neither should a broker, under
any circumstances, profit at the eN-
penSe of his client by purcha sing for
himself his clients property unless
such transaction was entered into with
the absolute and full knowledge and
consent of his client.
Listing of properties while a mere
detail of Office routine has vital con-
nection with subsequent acts. A
broker should only accept listings that
he is reasonably equipped to handle,
and in doing so he should use great
care to secure the maximum of infor-
nation, and il must be correctly and
accurately recorded. 1Ie should advise
the property owner fairly as to value,