As any experienced REALTOR will tell you, the importance a buyer or seller places on a propertys characteristics vary. REALTORS shall not print, display or circulate any statement or advertisement with respect to selling or renting of a property that indicates any preference, limitations or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. (Amended 1/98), The fact that a prospect has retained a REALTOR as an exclusive representative or exclusive broker in one or more past transactions does not preclude other REALTORS from seeking such prospects future business. Regarding commissions, the listing broker has a duty to disclose. The services which REALTORS provide to their clients and customers shall conform to the standards of practice and competence which are reasonably expected in the specific real estate disciplines in which they engage; specifically, residential real estate brokerage, real property management, commercial and industrial real estate brokerage, land brokerage, real estate appraisal, real estate counseling, real estate syndication, real estate auction, and international real estate. Specifically, A.A.C. Copyright 1999-2023 LegalMatch. In cooperative transactions REALTORS shall compensate cooperating REALTORS (principal brokers) and shall not compensate nor offer to compensate, directly or indirectly, any of the sales licensees employed by or affiliated with other REALTORS without the prior express knowledge and consent of the cooperating broker. The law specifies two ways in which this disclosure can be made. 502,000+ Open in App. For example, a seller has a duty to disclose material facts to the buyer, which are not known by the buyer, if the material fact would affect the value of the property. \hline\\ 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. REALTORS shall keep in a special account in an appropriate financial institution, separated from their own funds, monies coming into their possession in trust for other persons, such as escrows, trust funds, clients monies, and other like items. Library, Bankruptcy (Adopted 1/95, Amended 1/00), REALTORS who are employed to maintain or manage a clients property shall exercise due diligence and make reasonable efforts to protect it against reasonably foreseeable contingencies and losses. (Amended 1/04), For the protection of all parties, REALTORS shall use reasonable care to ensure that documents pertaining to the purchase, sale, or lease of real estate are kept current through the use of written extensions or amendments. The Natural Hazards Disclosure Act, under Section 1103 of the California Civil Code, requires that sellers of real property and their agents provide prospective buyers with . disclose pertinent facts relevant to the transaction. (Amended 1/04), On unlisted property, REALTORS acting as buyer/tenant representatives or brokers shall disclose that relationship to the seller/landlord at first contact for that buyer/tenant and shall provide written confirmation of such disclosure to the seller/landlord not later than execution of any purchase or lease agreement. Disclosure. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization. (Amended 1/96), (Renumbered as Standard of Practice 1-12 1/98), (Renumbered as Standard of Practice 1-13 1/98). (Amended 1/04), REALTORS, acting as buyer or tenant representatives or brokers, shall disclose that relationship to the seller/landlords representative or broker at first contact and shall provide written confirmation of that disclosure to the seller/landlords representative or broker not later than execution of a purchase agreement or lease. (Amended 1/98), REALTORS, acting as representatives or brokers of sellers/landlords or as subagents of listing brokers, shall disclose that relationship to buyers/tenants as soon as practicable and shall provide written confirmation of such disclosure to buyers/tenants not later than execution of any purchase or lease agreement. Alternatively, if the complaint is brought against the listing broker, the listing broker may name the first cooperating broker as a third-party respondent. (Amended 1/23), REALTORS, in their real estate employment practices, shall not discriminate against any person or persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. However, a broker has more education and training, performs more technical tasks like contract drafting and negotiations, is always licensed, and often oversees agents that work on their behalf. Full disclosure provides the parties to a transaction all the details needed to evaluate the property, decide to move forward or reject a sale, and successfully negotiate. Duties to the Public Law, Immigration REALTORS shall only be obligated to discover and disclose adverse factors reasonably apparent to someone with expertise in those areas required by their real estate licensing authority. Further compounding this issue is that the sellers duty to disclose is different than the buyers duty. Discipline in an ethics hearing may include: As used in this Code of Ethics, client means the person(s) or entity(ies) with whom a REALTOR or a REALTORs firm has an agency or legally recognized non-agency relationship; customer means a party to a real estate transaction who receives information, services, or benefits but has no contractual relationship with the REALTOR or the REALTORs firm; prospect means a purchaser, seller, tenant, or landlord who is not subject to a representation relationship with the REALTOR or REALTORs firm; agent means a real estate licensee (including brokers and sales associates) acting in an agency relationship as defined by state law or regulation; and broker means a real estate licensee (including brokers and sales associates) acting as an agent or in a legally recognized non-agency capacity. State laws vary on what constitutes mandatory full disclosure. Law, About Although Realtors must follow their buyer's lawful instructions if a buyer chooses to move forward with such a transaction, you can help them understand, long before making the offer, the potential risks. \text{Contribution margin per unit}\\ misrepresenting the availability of access to show or inspect a listed property. The duties imposed by the Code of Ethics encompass all real estate-related activities and transactions whether conducted in person, electronically, or through any other means. Such interests impose obligations beyond those of ordinary commerce. While the Code of Ethics establishes obligations that may be higher than those mandated by law, in any instance where the Code of Ethics and the law conflict, the obligations of the law must take precedence. advise sellers of the amount of compensation and the amount that will be offered to cooperating brokers. REALTORS must discover and disclose: a. latent (hidden) defects in property. REALTORS owe to all persons the duty of honesty Avoid misrepresentation of pertinent facts about the property or the transaction. In such cases the complainant may name the first cooperating broker as respondent and arbitration may proceed without the listing broker being named as a respondent. D. (Amended 1/96), The obligation to present a true picture in representations to the public includes information presented, provided, or displayed on REALTORS websites. Homes for Sale Preamble The following are some very common real estate seller disclosures to be aware of, regardless of whether youre on the buyers side or the sellers side . If you discover that your client is withholding information and failing to disclose a known defect, you must disclose this to the buyer. As a result, REALTORS will do well to follow the old adages: when in doubt, disclose, and: if its material, disclose if it isnt material, why not disclose? And if the seller or her agent has any disclosure questions, consult with a real estate attorney ASAP not all attorneys are deal killers; when consulted with early, attorneys can help minimize liability and help facilitate a smooth transaction. Besides mandatory federal disclosures, state law will dictate what needs to be disclosed in a particular area. When Your Homeowner Steps in to "Help You Sell the House" at a Showing. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. \text{Required sales dollars to break even}\\ (Amended 1/04), REALTORS shall make any request for anticipated compensation from the seller/landlord at first contact. (Amended 1/07), When representing a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant, or other client as an agent, REALTORS pledge themselves to protect and promote the interests of their client. Information concerning latent material defects is not considered confidential information under this Code of Ethics. REALTORS shall only be obligated to discover and disclose adverse factors reasonably apparent to someone with expertise in those areas required by their real estate licensing authority. until closing, unless the owner waives the right. (Adopted 1/12), REALTORS shall avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation, or concealment of pertinent facts relating to the property or the transaction. (Amended 1/93). A REALTOR must disclose that an accepted offer exists on a property that is continuing to be shown, The Code of Ethics prohibits REALTORS from. 4. Article 2 requires Realtors to ___. 17. Amerco v. Shoen, 184 Ariz. 150, 158 n. 10, 907 P.2d 536, 544 n. 10 (App. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. [1] This is especially true for REALTORS who, under Article 26 of the Arizona Constitution, may draft any and all instruments, including contracts, incident to the sale, exchange, trade, or leasing of property. However, REALTORS must exercise care and candor in any such advertising or other public or private representations so that any party interested in receiving or otherwise benefiting from the REALTORs offer will have clear, thorough, advance understanding of all the terms and conditions of the offer. The listing broker shall, as soon as practical, disclose the existence of such arrangements to potential cooperating brokers and shall, in response to inquiries from cooperating brokers, disclose the differential that would result in a cooperative transaction or in a sale/lease that results through the efforts of the seller/landlord. (Adopted 1/95), When REALTORS provide consultive services to clients which involve advice or counsel for a fee (not a commission), such advice shall be rendered in an objective manner and the fee shall not be contingent on the substance of the advice or counsel given. that he plans to give her most of this property for Christmas. (Amended 1/93), When assisting or enabling a client or customer in establishing a contractual relationship (e.g., listing and representation agreements, purchase agreements, leases, etc.) \text{Variable costs per unit}&\text{600}&\text{60}&\text{80}\\ The duty to disclose known hazards and defects on the property is arguably the most critical one. Real Estate Disclosure Requirements. (Amended 1/04). (Adopted 1/07), REALTORS shall not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.