Code of Ethics

Commercial Services Code of Ethics

Click the buttons below for more information:

Mediation

Disputing Commercial Realtors® meet with a neutral third party mediator, whose role is to help the parties resolve the conflict. The mediator does not make the decision. It is up to the parties, with the help of the mediator, to reach their own solution. Mediation is informal, usually without witnesses, attorneys or evidence, etc. – just two brokers negotiating a mutually agreeable settlement. If mediation is not successful, arbitration is the next step.

FGCAR offers Mediation services to Commercial Realtor® members. Upon receipt of a request for arbitration and prior to review of the request by the FAR Grievance Committee, the Professional Standards Administrator will require all parties to participate in mediation. The matter will be referred to the outside Mediation Officer, who will arrange a mutually convenient time and location for mediation. If the mediation attempt is unsuccessful, or if either of the parties wishes to discontinue the mediation process for any reason, then mediation will be terminated and the request for arbitration will be referred to the FAR Grievance Committee for review. Where mediation is mandatory prior to review of an arbitration request by the FAR Grievance Committee, and the mediation attempt is unsuccessful, the parties will not again be offered mediation. If a party requests a second opportunity to mediate, a second mediation can be scheduled at the discretion of the Association.

Grievance Committee

Boards and associations of REALTORS® are charged with the responsibility of receiving and resolving ethics complaints regarding our REALTORS® members. This obligation is carried out by the FGCAR grievance committees made up of past presidents of the association.

It is the belief of the National Association’s Professional Standards Committee that many ethics complaints might be averted with enhanced communications and initial problem-solving capacity at the local level. These ombudsman procedures are intended to provide that capacity. We require any grievances to be put in writing to our association office for review by the committee. We will gain legal council from our mediator as required.

REALTORS® are required to complete ethics training of not less than 2 hours, 30 minutes of instructional time within two-year cycles. The training must meet specific learning objectives and criteria established by the National Association of REALTORS®. The current two-year cycle ends Dec. 31, 2018.

Realtor Safety Program

NAR has a wealth of resources to help agents, brokers, and associations better understand and educate each other about the safety risks they face.

From planning your safety strategy to extensive safety resources including apps, products, and educators, NAR has many useful items for all real estate professionals including regularly-scheduled safety webinars, numerous articles organized by category, and videos. Information about NAR’s Safety Program Reimbursement Grant for Associations is also available.