As you probably have heard by now, you must complete a mandatory ethics course by December 31, 2012, but do you really understand why? Part of calling yourself a REALTOR® means that you have taken an oath in which you agree to adhere to standards of practice that exceed state law, and you and your fellow REALTORS® share the responsibility for the integrity and honor of the real estate profession. That you strive to become and remain informed on issues affecting real estate, that you are willing to share your experiences with others, and that you do not attempt to gain an unfair advantage over your competitors - these are all part of the preamble of the Code of Ethics. The term REALTOR® stands for competency, fairness, high integrity, and moral conduct in business relations. Please remember that no amount of money can justify your departure from these ideals. I encourage you to sign up now for a class or webinar to complete your Code of Ethics training, and help us continue to protect the integrity of the REALTOR® association.
Bill Dermody
2012 GBAR President
