Professional Development

Professionalism

Professionalism is the code of conduct Realtors® observe when working with clients, colleagues, and everyone we meet. That means we treat others with courtesy and respect, do our jobs with honesty and integrity, and abide by all the standards in the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) Code of Ethics

By acting as professionals in everything we do, we earn the long-term loyalty of our clients, grow our businesses, and contribute to the health and prosperity of our entire industry.

To help you cultivate professionalism in your career, Minnesota Realtors® offers a variety of ethics classes throughout the year, and training for the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) designation, a course rooted in Article 1 of NAR’s Code of Ethics.

Pathways to Professionalism

Although there are many aspects to professional conduct, these are the cornerstones of ethical behavior.

Respect Your Clients and the Clients of Others

  1. Respond promptly and politely to all inquiries
  2. Schedule appointments well in advance, and call if you are delayed or must cancel
  3. Never criticize property in the presence of the occupant
  4. Always arrive at showings at the scheduled time—never early or late
  5. Promise only what you can deliver and keep your promises

Respect Property

  1. Never allow buyers to enter listed property unaccompanied
  2. Enter property only with permission—even if you have a lockbox
  3. Remove boots and shoes when entering a property
  4. Leave the property as you found it—lights, heating, cooling, etc.
  5. Respect sellers’ instructions about photography and video

Respect Your Peers

  1. Identify your Realtor® and professional status in all contacts with other Realtors®
  2. Share important information about a property, including the presence of occupants, pets, and security systems
  3. Do not prospect at the open houses of other Realtors®
  4. Carefully replace keys in lockbox after showings
  5. Remember—real estate is a reputation business: what you do today impacts your reputation for years to come

Read other tips by reading the full version of Pathways to Professionalism.