Professional Standards

All Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS® (HGAR) members hold themselves to the highest standards of professional conduct to serve the interests of their clients and customers. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and HGAR provide resources for their members on how to conduct themselves professionally and show respect for property, the public, and peers.

In addition, our Realtors conduct themselves according to a strict Code of Ethics. Among the pledges set out in the Code:

• Protect and promote your client’s interests, but be honest with all parties
• Avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation, and concealment of pertinent facts. Do not reveal facts that are confidential under the scope of your agency relationship.
• Cooperate with other real estate professionals to advance client’s best interests.
• When buying or selling, make your position in the transaction or interest known.
• Disclose present or contemplated interest in any property to all parties.
• Avoid side deals without client’s informed consent.
• Accept compensation from only one party, except with full disclosure and informed consent.
• Keep the funds of clients and customers in escrow.
• Assure, whenever possible, that transactional details are in writing.
• Provide equal service to all clients and customers. Be knowledgeable and competent in the fields of practice in which you ordinarily engage. Obtain assistance or disclose lack of experience if necessary.
• Present a true picture in your advertising and other public representations.
• Do not engage in the unauthorized practice of law.
• Respect the exclusive representation or exclusive brokerage relationship agreements that other realtors® have with their clients.

For more information, please visit the NAR website to learn about professional standards and the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the National Association of REALTORS®.

NYSAR's Professional Standards/Code of Ethics Video Series

Mediation

What is Mediation?

“The act or process of mediating; intervention between conflicting parties to promote reconciliation, settlement, or compromise.”

Mediation is purely voluntary. No one has to use it, but it can save time and money and can be quicker, easier, and more amicable for resolving business disputes than arbitration.

• Agreement to Mediate
• NAR Mediation: The Winning Solution

For more information on Mediation visit the NAR website.

Arbitration

Arbitration, a form of alternative dispute resolution, is a legal technique for the resolution of disputes outside the courts. It is a settlement technique in which a third party reviews the case and imposes a decision that is legally binding for both sides.

• Request and Agreement to Arbitrate
• Outline of Procedure or Arbitration Hearing
• Arbitration Worksheet Procuring Cause
• Appendix II to Part Ten Arbitration Guidelines

For more information on Arbitration visit the NAR website.