WHAT DOES PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS MEAN
TO YOU?

The single, most outstanding characteristic that sets REALTORS® apart from other real estate
agents is the willingness to accept and abide by the Code of Ethics of the NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. The code of ethics is a living document, responsive in its
content to changes in the law and industry. The Code has been revised many times through
the years to reflect current developments in professional real estate practice. The
term REALTOR® has come to represent competency, honesty, and high integrity.
These qualities stem from voluntary adherence to an ideal of moral conduct in
real estate business practices.

But even with the best of intentions, planning and preparation, occasional disagreements
arise between REALTORS® and/or between REALTORS® and their clients or customers. As civil
litigation becomes increasingly costly, time consuming, and burdensome, there has been
a trend among private parties to settle disputes and conflicting claims through alternative means.
The Toledo Board of REALTORS® offers its members and their clients and customers a
way to economically expedite ethicscomplaints and/or arbitration requests without going
to court. If a monetary dispute arises from a real estate transaction or if you believe a
REALTOR® may have acted in an unethical manner, you may file a complaint.

Ethics complaints that are brought before the board give those parties involved an
opportunity to be educated about the Code. In addition, REALTORS® are judged
by their peers as opposed to other individuals who may be far less familiar with the practices and
customs of the real estate industry.