Chris Haro, Hilton Head Real Estate

REALTOR® Code of Ethics

As members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), we subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics that pledges integrity, transparency, and fairness in every real estate transaction. The 17 Articles of the Code set the benchmark for professional conduct across three key areas:

Duties to Clients and Customers (Articles 1 to 9)

  • Article 1: REALTORS® protect and promote the best interests of their clients while treating all parties involved in a transaction honestly.
  • Article 2: REALTORS® must avoid exaggerating, misrepresenting, or concealing pertinent facts relating to a property or transaction.
  • Article 3: REALTORS® cooperate with other brokers, except when cooperation is not in the client’s best interest.
  • Article 4: REALTORS® must disclose if they are acquiring an interest in property for themselves, their immediate family, or their firm.
  • Article 5: REALTORS® shall not provide professional services concerning property where they have a present or contemplated interest without full disclosure.
  • Article 6: REALTORS® shall not accept any commission, rebate, or profit on expenditures made for their client without full knowledge and consent.
  • Article 7: REALTORS® must disclose and obtain consent before accepting compensation from more than one party in a transaction.
  • Article 8: REALTORS® must keep client funds in a separate trust/escrow account and never commingle funds with personal or business accounts.
  • Article 9: REALTORS® ensure that all transactional agreements (contracts, disclosures, amendments) are in clear, understandable writing and provided to all signing parties.

Duties to the Public (Articles 10 to 14)

  • Article 10: REALTORS® shall not deny equal professional services to any person based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
  • Article 11: REALTORS® must conform to the standards of practice in their specific disciplines and not attempt to provide specialized advice outside their expertise without obtaining assistance.
  • Article 12: REALTORS® must present a true and accurate picture in all real estate communications, advertising, and marketing materials.
  • Article 13: REALTORS® shall not engage in activities that constitute the unauthorized practice of law and shall recommend legal counsel when needed.
  • Article 14: If charged with unethical practice, REALTORS® shall place all pertinent facts before the appropriate board or tribunal for investigation.

Duties to REALTORS® (Articles 15 to 17)

  • Article 15: REALTORS® shall not knowingly or recklessly make false or misleading statements about other real estate professionals or their business practices.
  • Article 16: REALTORS® shall respect exclusive representation and exclusive broker relationship agreements that other REALTORS® have with clients.
  • Article 17: In the event of contractual or non-contractual disputes between REALTORS® or firms, parties shall submit the matter to arbitration or mediation rather than litigation.

To read the official Standards of Practice accompanying each article, review the complete National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics & Standards of Practice.