Best Practices

The Code of Ethics is what sets Realtors® apart from the crowd. It's more than a conceptual guide to right and wrong. It’s a powerful business tool that leads to more sales, more referrals and more profitable, long-standing relationships with both clients and other Realtors®. 

The complexity of short sales and distressed property sales makes ethical practice an absolute necessity. These tools will guide you through making the right decisions for you and for your clients, everyday. 

• Short Sales Tips Card
  VAR's newest tool to help Realtors® understand the process of short sales.  Written by VAR Special Counsel Lem Marshall, this quick and easy guide gives you the big picture on short sales...and makes the process less daunting.  Click here to download the print-ready PDF.

• The Code is Good Business
  On this site you will find a wealth of practical ideas for incorporating the Code of Ethics into your business practices.
  
  BONUS: 16 lessons for CE/PL credit. These lessons have been approved for 1 hour of ethics for continuing education; 1 hour elective for post license education by the Virginia Real Estate Board.

• Ethics Dialogue Group
  Five local associations in a part of Virginia that has been heavily affected by short sales have joined forces to address the ethical issues that often crop up in short sales transactions. Their Web site offers a Reference Guide as a tool for Realtors to serve clients with utmost professionalism.

• Beyond the Golden Rule: Ethical Practice Means Professionalism
  Don't miss NVAR's comprehensive guide to ethical practice within the sphere of the changing Virginia real estate market.

• Community Response to Foreclosure Crisis: Thoughts on Local Intervention
  From the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta comes an objective look on the effects of short sales on the real estate industry and what it means for the future of the market.

• Ethical Considerations in Short Sales
  A host of legal and ethical issues can arise when the seller is distressed. Whether you're on the buy side or the selling side of a short sale, make sure that you understand your legal and ethical obligations. Discover the most common issues and learn how to deal with them inthis 29 minute webcast with Lem Marshall, VAR's Special Counsel.
  

• Foreclosure Prevention Practices
  From the National League of Cities

• Defaulting on the Dream: States Respond to America's Foreclosure Crisis
  From the Pew Charitable Trusts, an overview of the forclosure crisis and "what it all means."

• Vacant and Abandoned Properties: A Survey and Best Practices
  From the United States Conference of Mayors, a best practice guide to working with vacant and abandoned properties.  Flip to page 38 for content from Alexandria, VA: Blighting Influences Program/Spot Blight Abatement Program.