CEO'S TAKE: Living Up to the Preamble is What It Means to be a REALTOR®

Under all is land…..

This is how the preamble to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics starts. The majority of REALTORS® knows that. Do they know what comes next?

They should, because the entire preamble is the rallying cry for what it means to be a REALTOR®. I have excerpted it below:

“Under all is land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization. REALTORS® should recognize that the interests of the nation and its citizens require the highest and best use of the land and the widest distribution of land ownership. They require the creation of adequate housing, the building of functioning cities, the development of productive industries and farms, and the preservation of a healthful environment.

Such interests impose obligations beyond those of ordinary commerce. They impose grave social responsibility and a patriotic duty to which REALTORS ® should dedicate themselves, and for which they should be diligent in preparing themselves. REALTORS ®, therefore, are zealous to maintain and improve the standards of their calling and share with their fellow REALTORS ® a common responsibility for its integrity and honor.”

Read the rest of the Preamble, HERE.

Read about the aspirational objectives of the Preamble, HERE.

These are the first two paragraphs from the Preamble and they stand up just as true today as when they were first written. The preamble goes on to talk more in-depth about the professionalism and duty of a REALTOR®.Yes, it’s a high calling, but it’s one that REALTORS® should enthusiastically uphold and promote.

I was reminded of this recently listening to a podcast that contains one of the REALTOR® Association Executives I most truly admire, Emily Chenevert from Austin and one of my favorite industry pundits, Rob Hahn. They discussed what they felt was the duty of a REALTOR® association in the 21st century, and, in my opinion, hit the nail on the head about building a community within the REALTOR® ranks around the timeless values espoused in the Preamble. The REALTOR® association is more than a gateway to the MLS, and REALTORS® should view themselves as more than the conduit through which homeowners find and list houses.

What do I mean? Here’s an example:

I often get asked by REALTORS® what the Association is doing to make sure they stay relevant in today’s evolving landscape. My response is that we are working hard to provide opportunities for REALTORS® to live up to the Preamble to the Code of Ethics. If every REALTOR® can do that, they are indispensable to not only their clients, but the community. Yes, that means giving you the tools and knowledge to help you stay at the top of your game, but it goes way beyond that.

It’s why we continue to roll out “Empower Hours” around professional and community issues, host forums with community leaders and legislators on subjects such as vacation rental regulations, coastal resiliency, housing affordability and production, partnered with other key community organizations in the Smarter Cape Partners and Future Cape Cod partnerships and tireless advocacy around private property rights, homeownership and housing affordability. This commitment takes the form of opportunities for you to get to know your peers and your role in the community better through our REALTOR® Socials, Leadership Academy and Community & Member Engagement Groups. If you want to live up to the values in the preamble, CCIAOR provides the platform for you to do so - and you should take advantage of it.

Being a REALTOR® is not simply about your knowledge or your clients or your role in the transaction -- it’s about your role in the community and we at the Association are committed to enabling and expanding that role.Without taking on this role, you are merely a license real estate professional who is in it to earn a living.

If you want to learn more about the evolution of our REALTOR® Association, take a look at our strategic plan or reach out to me. I’m always happy to discuss it.