July 29, 2018

By Rey Post, Associate Broker, Sotheby’s International Realty & Host of the “All Things Real Estate” Radio Show

An anchor is defined as a reliable or principal support…a mainstay. As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) advises, our clients depend on us for education and guidance from the first meeting until a sale closes.

We can reinforce our value and show our real estate expertise by offering objective information and informed opinions about local market conditions, being knowledgeable about the latest home trends and technologies, and understanding community issues. The buyers and sellers we work with expect honest and ethical treatment throughout the course of our business dealings. 

Purchasing real estate is likely to be the biggest and most complex financial transaction a person will make in their life. A trusted real estate professional is a strong advocate who understands the information and emotional support that buyers need throughout the process of finding and acquiring a home.  

As an expert with local market knowledge, real estate pros should be well prepared to guide buyers through all the practical details and potential obstacles that may occur during the purchase process.

On the other hand, selling a house requires not only getting a home into the possible shape to attract buyers, it means navigating through a myriad of forms, documents, and disclosure requirements. REALTORS® serve as trusted advisors through the listing and marketing stage and through the negotiating and closing process. They offer knowledge about comparable properties in the area and provide informed advice about needed improvements and staging that generates interest from consumers and maximizes sale price.

Finally, to make positive connections with our customers, it helps to know where they’re coming from—the generational and life experiences that influence their buying and selling decisions.

That doesn’t mean stereotyping: It means having the specialized knowledge to address their special needs, whether they’re in the middle of a military relocation, moving out of the home where they raised their children, or buying a home with an eye toward sustainability.

Among other things, having a source for demographic research and acquiring specialty education, can help to make us—as real estate professionals—the experts, whatever our client’s needs.

So “Rey’s Real Estate Recommendation” for this week, is to trust that your real estate professional—whether it is a licensed broker; homeowner association manager; lender; home inspector; or any other expert—is indeed be an anchor to count on. We are your reliable, or principal support in that home buying, or selling transaction.

For more information, always check out our blog at ATREradio.com/blog and also join us for the “All Things Real Estate” radio show, which airs each Sunday 12-2pm (Mountain Time) and can be heard at the “Listen Now” link at ATREradio.com.

July 22, 2018

By Rey Post, Associate Broker, Sotheby’s International Realty & Host of the “All Things Real Estate” Radio Show

“Rey’s Real Estate Recommendation” during this week’s broadcast of the all things real estate radio show gave some relevance to why Santa Fe’s Las Campanas neighborhood is such a popular destination for home buying and construction. The statistics are pretty compelling.

Sotheby’s International Realty has always had a major presence in this part of the Santa Fe community.  

As of this date, our brokerage is realizing over 79% of all sales activity in Las Campanas and we currently represent a market share in Las Campanas, of 55% of active residential listings by dollar volume.  

The Tierra Concepts, Inc.  home builders—comprised of three associate brokers of Sotheby’s International Realty—advised recently that they are currently under contract to build 11 new    homes in Las Campanas with costs per square foot, exceeding $450.00, for high-end finishes.  

More broadly, the Las Campanas Homeowners Association advises that there are 34 homes currently under construction, plus another 14 homes are in preliminary design review.

Combining resales of current homes, Las Campanas is experiencing      activity in all sectors, including renewed interest in home building, which had been largely absent during the period immediately following the economic recession in 2008.

And lastly—as it ties in with our show theme today—the brokers of Sotheby’s International Realty work closely with The Club at Las Campanas to makes sure that home buyers—-whether they wish to live in Las Campanas, or elsewhere in Santa Fe, are aware of all the benefits there are to Club membership.

In fact—and in this spirit—on July 27, Sotheby’s International Realty and our Qualifying Broker Gregg Antonsen, are sponsoring a meeting for the members of The Club regarding the efforts of the Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation and the Santa Fe Airport Alliance about projects that they are pursuing to bring positive and meaningful impacts to the city and the Las Campanas neighborhood.

We are proud that Sotheby’s International Realty believes in supporting and endorsing all the areas of Santa Fe for home buying, including the special relationship that our brokers have with Las Campanas.

So “Rey’s Real Estate Recommendation” for this week, is to consider the neighborhood of Las Campanas.  

As a professional Realtor, not only have I done business in Las Campanas with both home buyers and sellers, but I have also hosted the radio show in the community—at both The Club at Las Campanas, as well as during multiple “Haciendas, A Parade of Homes” tours sponsored by the Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association. It is a place in Santa Fe that is worthy of your consideration, whether you wish to buy, sell, or build a home.

For more information, always check out our blog at ATREradio.com/blog and also join us for the “All Things Real Estate” radio show, which airs each Sunday 12-2pm (Mountain Time) and can be heard at the “Listen Now” link at ATREradio.com.

July 15, 2018

By Rey Post, Associate Broker, Sotheby’s International Realty & Host of the “All Things Real Estate” Radio Show

During this Sunday’s second hour of the “All Things Real Estate” radio show, I will have the honor to interview former Vermont Governor Jim Douglas, who was elected to office in 2002, serving until January 2011. Among other accomplishments, Governor Douglas served as Chairman of the National Governors Association (NGA) from 2009 to 2010.

The NGA is staging its annual 2018 Summer Meeting in Santa Fe, July 19-21. As reported by The Santa Fe New Mexican on June 13: “the conference will make Santa Fe the epicenter of American politics for a mid-July weekend, as many of the nation’s governors and perhaps some foreign leaders and White House representatives descend on the New Mexico capital for meetings, panels, parties and more.”

Given the significance of this gathering, Governor Douglas and I will discuss—since he is a former chairman of the NGA—the importance of the event coming to Santa Fe.

As a leader in government work, Governor Douglas, among other activities, is currently serving as executive in residence at Middlebury College in Vermont, as well as a member of the Governors’ Council of the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C. The Governor also served as the president of the Council of State Governments, and was also a member of Vermont House of Representatives, elected to be Vermont Secretary of State, as well as State Treasurer.

I have known Governor Douglas for many years and interacted with him when I worked for Vermont’s U.S. Congressman; Senior U.S. Senator; and another former Governor of the state.

Real estate professionals also wish to be leaders in their own work. Here are some thoughts on what you need to acquire to be an effective leader, as adopted from the article “Shape of A Leader” by Christine Hartelt from Credit Union Management and offered in an article in Realtors Magazine.

First of all, leaders are both born and made. Managers don’t become leaders overnight. Even “born” leaders don’t start out possessing all these skills. To be a strong leader, you need to:

1. Have vision. Leaders have a clear sense of where they want to go and how they intend to get there. They see the big picture, then create a strategic plan for achieving their goals.

Learn how to develop your vision: Befriend top business leaders in your community (not necessarily just those in real estate), read new and classic business books and great leaders’ biographies, and formulate a mission statement for your company.

2. Make decisions. Leaders aren’t afraid to make difficult or unpopular decisions because they have confidence in themselves and in their abilities. They know that indecision wastes resources and opportunities.

Learn to hone your decision-making skills: Practice making decisions in areas where failure isn’t critical to increase your confidence. If a decision turns out to be wrong, learn from it and move on.

3. Take risks. Leaders have the courage to act in situations where results aren’t assured. They’re willing to risk failure.

Learn how to take risks: Analyze the situation, listing pros and cons for each option, then assign each choice a risk factor rating from 1 to 5. Next determine the likelihood that each outcome will occur. This will help you determine how much risk you want to take.

TIP: Don’t expect perfection. No one wins all the time. Leaders grow by making mistakes.

4. Motivate others. Leaders can articulate their vision and ideals to others, convincing them of the value of their ideas. They can inspire people to work toward common goals and to achieve things they never thought they could do.

Learn how to motivate people: Explore the different needs that motivate people and recognize that the same rewards don’t motivate everyone. Listen carefully to others to learn what motivates them.

TIP: Motivate employees by making sure they understand how their work contributes to a larger goal.

5. Build teams. Leaders create productive teams that draw the best from people. They effectively coach teams in collaboration, consensus building, and conflict resolution.

Learn how to improve your teambuilding skills: Avoid preconceived answers to every question. Concentrate on appreciating different points of view during discussions rather than just trying to prove your point. This same willingness to include others is the key to successful teambuilding.

6. Possess self-knowledge. Leaders know their own strengths and weaknesses and are able to view their behavior objectively. They recognize their shortcomings, open themselves to feedback, and are willing to make changes when necessary.

Learn how to expand your self-knowledge: Study yourself closely and practice self-assessment techniques to learn how you behave and the effects you have on others. Ask others for their opinions or criticisms and what you can do to become a better leader.

TIP: Keep a journal of critical incidents; look back and learn what you did well and what you might have done better.

7. Display integrity. Leaders must be trustworthy before others will follow them. Warren Bennis, The Leadership Institute, University of Southern California, says qualities that establish trust are competence, constancy, caring, candor, and congruity, which he defines as authenticity, reliability, and feeling comfortable with oneself.

Learn how to assess your integrity: Actively seek feedback from others friends, co-workers, and even employees to determine if your values and sense of responsibility coincide with those of your peer group.

8. Pursue lifelong learning. Leaders have a desire to continually learn and grow and are open to new ideas.

Learn how to expand your knowledge: Maintain a broad focus. Look beyond your colleagues and your own industry for ideas and inspiration and read books on new management theories and ideas.

TIP: Wise managers look for support staff or partners who complement their weaknesses.

9. Communicate effectively. Leaders can convey their ideas to diverse individuals and adjust their styles to meet the needs of the people they lead.

Learn how to improve communication skills: Practice communications skills such as active listening. Read between the lines during conversations, especially when dealing with subordinates who may be reluctant to say what they think. Restate important points in several ways or ask listeners to reiterate your point to you to ensure that your meaning is clear.

10. Help others succeed. Leaders empower others and go out of their way to help them achieve their full potential, thereby benefiting the organization.

Give a boost to others: Mentor individuals you feel are able to assume leadership roles.

So “Rey’s Real Estate Recommendation” for this week, is to consider applying some of these attributes to the development of your own leadership skills. Many of us start out with a base of leadership qualities that can be matured and ultimately will aid you in becoming a better real estate professional for your buyer and seller clients.

For more information, always check out our blog at ATREradio.com/blog and also join us for the “All Things Real Estate” radio show, which airs each Sunday 12-2pm (Mountain Time) and can be heard at the “Listen Now” link at ATREradio.com.

July 8, 2018

By Rey Post, Associate Broker, Sotheby’s International Realty & Host of the “All Things Real Estate” Radio Show

This Sunday, July 8-on the “All Things Real Estate” radio show—my guests and I will apply a special historic event to help frame the discussion of “how real estate professionals work with home buyers, owners and sellers.”

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ)—the winner of 40 Pulitzer Prizes through 2017—is the most-circulated newspaper in the United States (2,378,827 average circulation). It began publishing exactly 129 years ago on July 8 (1889) and is recognized by home owners, buyers, sellers and real estate professionals for offering highly-regarded real estate and other property related reporting. As a prestigious news publication—with a wide circulation—its home listing advertising is pursued by many real estate brokerages across the country.

Besides marking the anniversary of the WSJ‘s first publication on July 8 (and its value to real estate), it’s important to note that Sotheby’s International Realty has partnered and has a proprietary relationship with the WSJ. This translates into some significant marketing and advertising value for our brand and the listings we market for our seller clients.

Our marketing department has shard with me some interesting elements about his special relationship with the WSJ:

ONLINE – Our listings are featured on both of these sites:

The Wall Street Journal Digital Network receives 25 million monthly visitors to the U.S. edition, 3.1 million monthly visitors to Europe, and 4.8 million to Asia. All three editions have dedicated real estate channels with focused editorial which is relevant to the respective location. 

“Mansion Global” is the new standalone luxury real estate site presented by the WSJ and News Corp. “Mansion Global” connects wealthy global buyers with extraordinary homes, while presenting insightful real estate content and market data. Sotheby’s International Realty^® listings above 1m+ are fed and featured on mansionglobal.com in three languages; English, Chinese and Spanish. With new and exciting content alignment opportunities in “Mansion Global,” Sotheby’s International Realty^® is able to further strengthen our brand, expand visibility and deliver our message with more resounding results than ever before.

PRINT

The WSJ also advertises our listings regularly in the print edition of the newspaper. The WSJ is known for representing credibility and influence and continues to be the leading environment for luxury real estate clients to connect with the world’s most affluent home-buying audience.

Circulation: 1.1 million
• Readership: 4.5 million
• Male / Female: 66% Male / 34% Female
• Average HHI – US: $347K
• Average age: 50
• Number of listings per page: 35

VIDEO

The “LIVE” video series presented by the Sotheby’s International Realty^® brand is an exclusive collaboration with the Wall Street Journal Custom Studios. This engaging series follows influential people as they seek inspiration and live their passions in an extraordinary home, represented by the Sotheby’s International Realty network.

The Sotheby’s International Realty^® brand is the first real estate partner to develop this type of custom content with the WSJ. “LIVE” will be featured in Sotheby’s International Realty^® brand media units and social platforms.

PR

Sotheby’s International Realty^® also has a strong relationship with the WSJ through our company’s PR department, so our listings are featured in special articles regularly.

So “Rey’s Real Estate Recommendation” for this week, is to carefully review the marketing options you have as a home seller. You not only want to have a great chemistry with the real estate broker you enlist to sell your home, but you also make sure that he, or she brings a strong portfolio of marketing tools to help you achieve the goal of closing on the sale of your home at the highest price possible and as quickly as the calendar allows.

For more information, always check out our blog at ATREradio.com/blog and also join us for the “All Things Real Estate” radio show, which airs each Sunday 12-2pm (Mountain Time) and can be heard at the “Listen Now” link at ATREradio.com.

By Rey Post, Associate Broker, Sotheby’s International Realty &

Host of “All Things Real Estate” Radio Show

June 24, 2018

What motivates home buyers to pursue the purchase of a home is an important topic, worthy of a lot of discussion. Housing market circumstances (pricing and the level of inventory); buyer demographics; varying home preferences; personal finances; family situations; and general economic issues are among the many things that impact why buyers consider becoming home owners.

At the same time, when a buyer decides—whatever may be the motivations and conditions—to seriously hurtle towards a home purchase, it is also important for one to understand what is motivating home sellers. 

This stands to reason, given the state of the current housing market at the start of the summer of 2018. Just about everywhere in the nation, home inventory is light, which means that many other buyers are in line to potentially chase after the same home that interests you. This means that it’s imperative to have a strategy to make sure you are able to “win the race” towards buying any home.

Not only do you need to have your home purchase financing plans in place, as well as clearly define the type of home you wish to buy—with all the amenities identified that are important to your personal goals—but you also need to make sure that you have partnered with a real estate professional who can effectively lead you down the path of what can be a very complicated process.

But knowing what is motivating the seller of the home you are interested in buying, is also just as critical as the other things that you have a fair amount of control over. Here is a useful article that helps to define this element of the home buying process:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/holdenlewis/2018/04/18/home-buyers-guide-to-motivated-sellers/#ebb76a46015a

So “Rey’s Real Estate Recommendation” for this week, is to not only analyze the motivations you have as a home buyer and build a plan to meet these goals and expectations, but to also know what the seller has on his, or her mind as you approach the step of making an offer on the purchase of a home. Including this as part of your plan to become a home owner, can make the difference between success, or failure in securing that place you want to call “home.”

For more information, please join us for the “All Things Real Estate” radio show, which airs each Sunday 12-2pm (Mountain Time) and can be heard at the “Listen Now” link at ATREradio.com.

June 17, 2018

By Rey Post, Associate Broker, Sotheby’s International Realty &

Host of “All Things Real Estate” Radio Show

On this Father’s Day, I discovered some useful advice from reading an article that is good when applying to my real estate work, or for that matter, just about any other thing in my life. Written by J. Jennings Moss, the Editor-in-Chief and General Manager of Silicon Valley Business Journal, the article addresses the simple theme of “What I learned when I finally listened to my dad.”

My dad was the king of the backup plan. When I learned to wait tables and then to bartend as a way to work my way through school, he applauded.

“Those are skills that you’ll keep forever, “ Jack Moss would say. “This way, if you get laid off or worse, you’ve got another way to earn a living.”

As I got older and started to pursue a career in journalism — something my parents liked only slightly better than my original plan, which was to be an actor — my dad’s backup instincts kicked in again. I wanted to be a national political journalist. Or a globetrotting foreign correspondent. Or a Pulitzer Prize-winning muckraker. (Of those, I accomplished the first, and still dream about the other two.)

Those were all noble goals, he would say as he would encourage me to think elsewhere: “You should consider being a business journalist. The world will also need people to explain how business works, how products succeed or services fail. Good business coverage has a deeper impact than you know,” he said

My dad knew a little something about survival, business and luck. The youngest of six kids born to Eastern European immigrants just before the start of the Great Depression, he grew up in Brooklyn — Coney Island, to be exact — watching his father, a peddler, push a cart through crowded neighborhoods selling this, that and the other.

I never heard my dad describe his life as poor or sad or unfortunate. The only sentiment he expressed was a desire to leave home, which he did when he joined the Army in World War II. When the war ended, he used the G.I. Bill to get a bachelor’s degree in hotel management and then a master’s in international relations.

From there, my dad’s life changed forever. He went to work for Northwest Orient Airlines, moved to Tokyo, lived the life of a carefree bachelor expat, met my mom and had three sons. After more a decade in Japan, he moved the family to Hong Kong, where we spent eight years. That was a great time in his life: full of exotic adventures, a successful career in a glamorous industry, plenty of friends and a loving family.

But his circumstances started to change when we returned to the states in 1972. He found himself managing a Mexican restaurant on Moorpark Avenue in San Jose, until an old boss got him back into the airline business, working for the now-defunct World Airways at Oakland International Airport. He made that San Jose-Oakland commute every day in a lemon-yellow Ford Pinto.

Six years later, another change in employers moved us to Tucson and he went to work for Evergreen International Airlines. He only lasted there a year, and at the age of 55, he realized he’d aged out of most jobs.

Jack tried to become a small business owner, twice, but failed. He sold computers at Radio Shack, and though he didn’t love it, he showed up every day and did the best he could. I never heard a defeatist word come out of his mouth and didn’t fully comprehend how bad his finances were until I saw one of his tax returns several years later.

He finally retired at age 65 after my mother died from cancer. He would live another 18 years, delicately managing his investments and providing me career advice.

It wasn’t until his death in 2006 that I finally did what he had suggested years before and became a business journalist. And I finally understood what he was trying to tell me: tell a business story and you’ll tell a tale about life and loss, about success and failure, about humility and hubris.

Thanks, dad, for guiding me to my backup plan.

So “Rey’s Real Estate Recommendation” for this week, is to reflect on this Father’s Day how dad’s experiences and observations can, more often than not, bring great value to your own career pursuits and the way you lead your own life.

For more information, please join us for the “All Things Real Estate” radio show, which airs each Sunday 12-2pm (Mountain Time) and can be heard at the “Listen Now” link at ATREradio.com.

June 3, 2018

By Rey Post, Associate Broker, Sotheby’s International Realty &

Host of “All Things Real Estate” Radio Show

As we mark the 9-year anniversary of the first broadcast of the “All Things Real Estate” (ATRE) Radio show on June 3, I plan to thank a number of people during the broadcast, who have brought a level of support that helped to guarantee that we would see this day. Without this genuine interest in what we wished to achieve with the program, our website (ATREradio.com) and blog—ATRE would never have made it past even the first year of broadcasting.

The principal of wanting to thank those who helped to make ATRE a success is something that has always seemed to be right for me, as I pursued my work—whether in real estate, or the other business interests I had prior to becoming a Realtor.

A simple thank you for tasks done by others—large and small—has always brought dividends to any buyer, or seller transaction I have been pursuing. More broadly though, it just seems right in so many ways and helps to grow relationships with other professionals in the trade. Any real estate transaction is layered with personal and business relationships that have the potential for making the process either a success, or a failure.

Given that buying, or selling a home is typically about the largest personal financial transaction that anyone will have in their life, emotions—even fear—can something’s play a major role in the process. Kindness and gratitude are sometimes hard to muster for all involved in the process, especially if there are unexpected challenges that occur while moving the possession of a home from one person to another.

I come loaded with lots of honest ‘thank yous’ for everyone I encounter in any real estate process—buyer, or seller clients; other professionals playing a role in the effort; even the hard-working support staff that play an important role in the process, and often don’t hear the simple phrase of stating appreciation for all of their behind-the-scenes work.

All of us are only human, so it may be easy to forget the concept of “thank you.” Under the pressure of any real estate transaction, it is important to step back and take a moment to reflect on how many are involved in any “deal.” All of us want any transaction to make its way to the closing table. But making sure that both sides to the transaction are as happy as they possibly can be, is the real measurement of success.

So, on this special occasion of the 9^th year of the airing of our radio show, “Rey’s Real Estate Recommendation” is to consider taking a moment to understand that a “little bit of sugar” goes a long way in what is one of the most high-pressure jobs most of us will have in our lives. That is—to help make the buying or selling of a home as happy and pleasant a business experience as it possibly can be.

For more information, please join us for the “All Things Real Estate” radio show, which airs each Sunday 12-2pm (Mountain Time) and can be heard at the “Listen Now” link at ATREradio.com.

MAY 27, 2018

By Rey Post, Associate Broker, Sotheby’s International Realty &

Host of “All Things Real Estate” Radio Show

Memorial Day originally emerged in 1868 as Decoration Day–a day to honor war dead by decorating their graves with flowers. The last Monday in May has become a day to remember those who have given their lives for our country through military service.

On this special occasion, “Rey’s Real Estate Recommendation” is to consider celebrating this national holiday by finding ways to honor the veterans in our own communities.

For instance:

• You can donate money to the Memorial Day Foundation, which will place bouquets on the National war monuments. Or, you can visit a local cemetery and place flowers or flags on the graves of veterans.
• Fly your flag at half-staff until noon. Memorial Day is an official national day of mourning to remember America’s war dead.
• Participate in the nationwide “Moment of Remembrance,” and reflect on the service that thousands of veterans have given to our country. It is suggested that Taps be played if possible. If not, simply take a moment of silence. This occurs at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day.
• Visit those veterans still living, whether they be members of your family or of the local community. Remind them that their service to their country has not been forgotten.
• Remind your children of the reason that they do not have school on Memorial Day. Even young children can learn by helping to place flags on graves or listening to a still living veteran’s stories.

In addition, many veteran organizations, cemeteries and churches organize their own parades, ceremonies and events to honor veterans on Memorial Day. Check your local newspaper for events in your area that you can join. Although these are the more conventional ways of honoring veterans, brainstorm your own original and personal ways.

If you are handy with repairs, volunteer your day to a veteran in your neighborhood who needs house repairs. If you like to sing, volunteer to sing in a choir at a Memorial Day event. If you like to read or write, compose a poem or read a passage in honor of the day for friends and family. Don’t forget to honor veterans and our war dead throughout the year for their service to our country. There is always a need for money donations and individuals to serve disabled and aging veterans, as well as widows and orphans of our war dead.

Finally, in 2014, the National Park Service offered ten ways to honor our veterans on this special holiday, which are just as applicable today: https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog/10-ways-honor-memorial-day

So “Rey’s Real Estate Recommendation” for this week, suggests that we use this holiday weekend to not only enjoy the company of friends and family, but to also remember the reason why Memorial Day is important to all Americans.

For more information, please join us for the “All Things Real Estate” radio show, which airs each Sunday 12-2pm (Mountain Time) and can be heard at the “Listen Now” link at ATREradio.com.

By Rey Post, Associate Broker, Sotheby’s International Realty &

Host of “All Things Real Estate” Radio Show

May 20, 2018

The National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practices (“Code”), offers a straightforward message in Article 1 of this document, as it relates to Duties to Clients and Customers:

“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. This obligation to the client is primary, but it does not relieve Realtors® of their obligation to treat all parties honestly. When serving a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant or other party in a non-agency capacity, Realtors® remain obligated to treat all parties honestly.”

These obligations by Realtors® to sound business practices, are enhanced via solid education. All licensed real estate professionals are required to obtain comprehensive education before they can lawfully practice in the field of real estate, plus—by law—must fulfill regular continuing education requirements to maintain their licenses. 

Though state laws regarding the licensing of real estate professionals vary throughout the U.S.—and supersede the standards of the Code where applicable—there are important expectations in what the NAR asks of those who are recognized as Realtors®.

In the spirit of the NAR’s Code, “Rey’s Real Estate Recommendation” for this week is for home owners, buyers and sellers to consider reviewing the elements of this NAR document. It can be helpful in measuring your expectations of those who work with you in any real estate transaction.

Here is the entire Code, with the Preamble of the document provided below:

https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2018-Code-of-Ethics-and-Standards-of-Practice.pdf

Preamble of The Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice

(Effective January 1, 2018)

Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership  depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization. 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. They require the creation of adequate housing, the building of functioning cities, the development of productive industries and farms, and the preservation of a healthful environment.

Such interests impose obligations beyond those of ordinary commerce. They impose grave social responsibility and a patriotic duty to which Realtors® should dedicate themselves, and for which they should be diligent in preparing themselves.

Realtors®, therefore, are zealous to maintain and improve the standards of their calling and share with their fellow Realtors® a common responsibility for its integrity and honor.

In recognition and appreciation of their obligations to clients, customers, the public, and each other, Realtors® continuously strive to become and remain informed on issues affecting real estate and, as knowledgeable professionals, they willingly share the fruit of their experience and study with others. They identify and take steps, through enforcement of this Code of Ethics and by assisting appropriate regulatory bodies, to eliminate practices which may damage the public or which might discredit or bring dishonor to the real estate profession.

Realtors® having direct personal knowledge of conduct that may violate the Code of Ethics involving misappropriation of client or customer funds or property, willful discrimination, or fraud resulting in substantial economic harm, bring such matters to the attention of the appropriate Board or Association of Realtors®.

Realizing that cooperation with other real estate professionals promotes the best interests of those who utilize their services, Realtors® urge exclusive representation of clients; do not attempt to gain any unfair advantage over their competitors; and they refrain from making unsolicited comments about other practitioners. In instances where their opinion is sought, or where Realtors® believe that comment is necessary, their opinion is offered in an objective, professional manner, uninfluenced by any personal motivation or potential advantage or gain.

The term Realtor® has come to connote competency, fairness, and high integrity resulting from adherence to a lofty ideal of moral conduct in business relations. No inducement of profit and no instruction from clients ever can justify departure from this ideal.

In the interpretation of this obligation, Realtors® can take no safer guide than that which has been handed down through the centuries, embodied in the Golden Rule, “Whatsoever ye would that others should do to you, do ye even so to them.”

Accepting this standard as their own, Realtors® pledge to observe its spirit in all their activities whether conducted personally, through associates or others, or via technological means, and to conduct their business in accordance with the tenets set forth below.

So “Rey’s Real Estate Recommendation” for this week, suggests that being a good real estate professional begins with a sound education. Home buyers and sellers deserve the opportunity to work with those who know their trade and can offer useful advice and assistance throughout any transaction.

For more information, please join us for the “All Things Real Estate” radio show, which airs each Sunday 12-2pm (Mountain Time) and can be heard at the “Listen Now” link at ATREradio.com.

By Rey Post, Associate Broker, Sotheby’s International Realty

Host of “All Things Real Estate” Radio Show

May 13, 2017

It’s Mother’s Day, and the best gift you can give mom is three little words: you were right.

A couple of blog writers—Lisa Kaplan and Christina Hoffman—asked some home experts to share the great advice that their moms gave to them on the theme of “all things home.”  And here is what they offered as counsel for     other moms out there.

1) Mom says: ‘Don’t try to do it all’

“My mother was a real perfectionist. She’d know if I walked on the carpet (and shouldn’t have). She gave me a respect for things looking right. But that’s also her worst advice, because no one can do it all well. As Erma Bombeck said, ‘house work, if you do it right, can kill you.’

Focus on key rooms in the home — what my mom did once she started to lighten up. It’s what I call mini-tasking. Pick one project, like straightening up your closet, rather than overloading yourself with a long list. And focus on high-traffic, high-visibility rooms, especially where bacteria, mold, and mildew can grow.

Blend mini-tasks with everyday activities, like when you’re on the phone with mom. Swipe and wipe door handles, the fridge door, the kitchen sink. I keep a box of Clorox wipes handy so I can grab and go. Oh, one more tip to make cleaning, organizing, and other home tasks more doable: enjoy a libation! (of course, not while you’re doing major home improvements.)”

2) Mom says: ‘Wise DIY’

“Sometimes doing it yourself isn’t the best option. My mom did a lot of sewing and would decide whether something was worth seven hours of her time vs. buying it outright.

My husband and I paid a plumber $600 to install the plumbing (get the lines in, connect to our waste line) in a half bath. It would have taken us two months and still cost about $400 for tools and materials. I will never regret a penny of that. Instead, we did the DIY stuff we knew we could, like installing the sink and toilet.”

3) Mom says: ‘Keep it natural’

“I got many of the recipes for my green-cleaning products from my great-grandmother, who wrote down the things she remembered and treasured in her bible, which was given to me when she died. My laundry soap recipe came from her. 

But a great flip happened between my great-grandmother and my mother, who wouldn’t let us stay in the house when she cleaned because she was using commercial cleaners that were toxic. The generations went from one extreme to the other. My great grandmother was cleaning with things you can eat, and my mother was cleaning with things she knew were too dangerous for me to be around.

I’ve taught my kids to go to the pantry before they go under the sink to find a cleaner; to give the natural things a try and they’ll work better for you in the long run.”

4) Mom says: ‘Prepare’

“The best advice I ever got from my mom about the home was simple: do things right the first time. The payoff is in the preparation. She was always a big fan of getting books from the library when she didn’t know how to do something. These days you can just look online, but the idea is the same; learn the right way to do something before you start doing it. And when I’ve been lax in the prep work, the project has always taken longer, resulted in frustration, and cost more money.”

5) Mom says: ‘Use the right tools’

“Best advice my mother gave me was to always make the beds, because doing so will make you feel like you’ve accomplished something and will keep you inspired throughout the day to attend to other household duties. The worst advice I ever got was from my grandmother, who said butter in the refrigerator never goes bad.

Good advice I give my daughter and son is to always use the right tool for the job — advice I try to adhere to as I renovate my house.”

6) Mom says: ‘Reuse!’

“My mom let me make my own decisions about my room when I was a kid. I’ll let my kids do the same. Having a small budget or no budget is a great way to get creative. When I was a kid, I built a side table out of 2x4s and stuck old pennies to it. I learned to reuse.”  

So “Rey’s Real Estate Recommendation” for this week, is to take some lessons from mom’s wisdom. It can’t hurt you!

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