Ethics Q&A Archive Learn how to respond before you’re confronted with a dilemma. Browse these questions and answers from recent years, originally published in REALTOR® Magazine. Columns are listed chronologically. Appraisals aren’t fact: Value is in the eye of the beholder The original listing agent claims I owe him commission. Do I? What can you count as sales? How to combine marketing and ethics A competitor keeps calling my clients: Isn’t that unethical? Are freebies ethical? Reveal conditions for your promotions The buyer’s agent never requested a fee from me. Do I still have to pay? End run is illegal: Exclusive right to sell means just that My husband owns a mortgage company. If I refer clients, must I disclose? In whose interest? Co-op offer shouldn’t dictate showings What if a home inspector I recommend provides poor service? When is sold, sold? Code clear on disclosure of accepted offers Do routine repairs to a home before listing need to be disclosed? Get it in writing: Without a contract, you may not get paid I noticed a mistake in the counteroffer, but I didn’t say anything. Now what? Negotiating the split: When or how can you alter a commission split? Is it ethical to encourage buyers to switch to our in-house lender? Cooperation is first: Compensation level is open to negotiation Do I have to ask all open house visitors if they have an exclusive representation agreement? Equal service for all: Limited-service listings need full treatment What does NAR say about splits? How does a split award impact the mediation process? Listings: When is it safe to step in on the sale? Avoid address envy: Give people a true picture of your listings' location After hours helping potential clients, they went with a different agent Disclosure is never the wrong move
