All rights reserved.
Starke County
Real Estate P.C.
Real Estate P.C.
| 13 N Pearl Street Knox, IN 46534 (574) 772-2157 or (574) 772-2156 steven@starkecountyrealestate.com |
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13 N Pearl Street Knox, IN 46534 Phone: (574) 772-2157 or (574) 772-2156 steven@starkecountyrealestate.com |
| This information is deemed accurate but not guaranteed by Starke County Real Estate P.C. The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity/IDX (Internet Data Exchange) Program of the Starke Pulaski Board of Realtors Multiple Listing Service, Inc. Starke County Real Estate P.C. has provided this information exclusively for consumers’ personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. |
| This site is owned and maintained by Starke County Real Estate P.C. |
All rights reserved.
Real Estate Agents or REALTORS® ?
What is a REALTOR?
People use the terms REALTOR® and real estate agent interchangeably, but that is incorrect. There are
differences between REALTORS® and real estate agents. They are not the same. Although both are
licensed to sell real estate, the basic difference between a real estate agent and a REALTOR® is a
REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®. As such, the main difference that you
hear a lot about -- but are likely confused about -- is that a REALTOR® must subscribe to the REALTOR®
Code of Ethics. But what does this mean to a consumer?
The Code of Ethics is strictly enforced. It contains 17 Articles and various underlying Standards of Practice.
It's not just a bunch of rules that agents swear to uphold and adhere to. The Standards are much more
restrictive and confining as to conduct than those governing agents who simply hold a real estate license.
While there is no evidence nor guarantee that all REALTORS® are morally and ethically better than
unaffiliated real estate agents, it is an attempt by the industry to regulate and, as such, deserves
recognition.
Here are 17 things that a REALTOR® promises to do that non-affiliates do not:
#1) Pledge to put the interests of buyers and sellers ahead of their own and to treat all parties honestly.
#2) Shall refrain from exaggerating, misrepresenting or concealing material facts; and is obligated to
investigate and disclose when situations reasonably warrant.
#3) Shall cooperate with other brokers / agents when it is in the best interests of the client to do so.
#4) Have a duty to disclose if they represent family members who own or are about to buy real estate, or if
they themselves are a principal in a real estate transaction, that they are licensed to sell real estate.
#5) Shall not provide professional services in a transaction where the agent has a present or contemplated
interest without disclosing that interest.
#6) Shall not collect any commissions without the seller's knowledge nor accept fees from a third-party
without the seller's express consent.
#7) Shall refuse fees from more than one party without all parties' informed consent.
#8) Shall not co-mingle client funds with their own.
#9) Shall attempt to ensure that all written documents are easy to understand and will give everybody a
copy of what they sign.
#10) Shall not discriminate in any fashion for any reason on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,
handicap, familial status, or national origin.
#11) Expects agents to be competent, to conform to standards of practice and to refuse to provide services
for which they are unqualified.
#12) Must engage in truth in advertising.
#13) Shall not practice law unless they are a lawyer.
#14) Shall cooperate if charges are brought against them and present all evidence requested.
#15) Agree not to bad mouth competition and agree not to file unfounded ethics complaints.
#16) Shall not solicit another REALTOR'S client nor interfere in a contractual relationship.
#17) Shall submit to arbitration to settle matters and not seek legal remedies in the judicial system.
The National Association of REALTORS® was founded in 1908 and has more than one million members.
CHOOSING YOUR REALTOR®
Whether you are buying or selling a
home, one of the most important
decisions that you are going to make
is choosing the Realtor that you are
most comfortable and confident with.
Due to the high prices of real estate
in many parts of the country, it will
likely be the largest investment that
you will make, which means your
Realtor will need to be a valuable
advisor for you throughout the
process.
Probably the most overlooked aspect
of choosing a Realtor is compatibility.
You will likely spending a lot of time
with your real estate agent and your
ability to get along, communicate and
share honest perspectives on likes
and dislikes and what you can really
afford will go a long way to you have
a good buying or selling experience
with your agent.
So stop in and let us help you !
Whether you are buying or selling a
home, one of the most important
decisions that you are going to make
is choosing the Realtor that you are
most comfortable and confident with.
Due to the high prices of real estate
in many parts of the country, it will
likely be the largest investment that
you will make, which means your
Realtor will need to be a valuable
advisor for you throughout the
process.
Probably the most overlooked aspect
of choosing a Realtor is compatibility.
You will likely spending a lot of time
with your real estate agent and your
ability to get along, communicate and
share honest perspectives on likes
and dislikes and what you can really
afford will go a long way to you have
a good buying or selling experience
with your agent.
So stop in and let us help you !