What Are Realtors Duties to Clients?

In choosing a realtor, always make sure you know what your agent can and cannot do for you. There are federal and state regulations that govern or affecting a realtor’s actions.

The Federal Fair Housing was designed specifically to prevent discrimination. The Fair Housing Act was created was contained in the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and changed by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988. The Fair Housing Act is protecting seven classes and these are race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap and familial status.

There are some requests that a realtor cannot address from their clients because that is against the law. For example, if a Muslim individual asks a realtor to find a home nearby to a mosque in a certain community, the realtor cannot be able to address the request. The realtor also can’t take into consideration the request to be located near a mosque. The realtor can’t even advertise that a listing is around the corner from a mosque.

Realtors must not respond questions about the ethnic make-up of a neighborhood. For example, don’t anticipate your realtor to show you homes in neighborhoods comprised mainly of African-Americans, Caucasians, Latino’s, American Indians or any other ethnicity or race. You must present these call to your realtor.

When it comes to advertising, the realtor must avoid words used represent any protected classes. Here are the following words are not suitable and could violate Fair Housing laws. Do not ask your realtor to use these words:

Section eight, Couples, Mothers, Singles only, Handicapped, Bachelor apartment, Seniors, Married, Mature, Integrated

These are just some list of words that are used. Do not bother to ask a realtor if you feel what you are asking is discriminating.

Lastly, do not ask your realtor for crime statistics of an area. Smart realtors will direct you to the police department or other sources of information. Your realtor should never disclose crime statistics or say a neighborhood is a relatively safe place to live, even if the realtor believes this to be true.

What are the Designations of the Realtors?

Now you have a realtor. That realtor has probably mentioned belonging to certain realtor designations. You’re probably thinking, what does all this mean? Well, let’s examine what type of designations your realtor might belong to and what they mean.

GRI Graduate Realtor Institute This designation is commended by the National Association of Realtors and suggested through state realtor associations, agents who need a GRI designation must complete a minimum of 90 to 95 hours of coursework relating to the state that licenses them, and pass the exams. Education envelops law, practice, finance, taxes, exchanges and more. Other qualifications to attain this designation include: Membership of the National Association of Realtors Membership of the state association of realtors Membership of the local board of realtors

E-PRO Certified Internet Professional This is supported by the National Association of Realtors. E-PRO is an online course about using e-mal, steering the Internet and incorporating digital services into the workplace. Realtors must be able to pass an online exam.

ABR Accredited Buyer Representative This is an online self-pace course for real estate agents who represent buyers as a buyer’s agent. Unlike exclusive buyer’s agents who never represent sellers, an agent who has earned this designation may elect to work as a listing agent or a buyer’s agent.

ACRE Accredited Consultant in Real Estate This designation is offered through a private company formed by realtors, Accredited Consultant in Real Estate. Agents download the course book, read and take the exam online. This course teaches agents how to use a consulting approach versus a sales approach.

ACR Accredited Seller Representative Offered through Realty U Online, this course is designed to increase or enhance a listing agent’s professionalism and refine the dimension of service to sellers. Agents can choose whether to go online or in-class courses and are required to pass the exam.