I am very proud and honored to announce that I have been awarded the Realtor® of the Year by the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors®. In conjunction with this recognition I thought it apt to make the general public aware of what it means to be a Realtor®. Not a real estate agent – but a Realtor®, an organization to which I belong, support, and volunteer for in many capacities. Aren’t all real estate agents you come across qualified to represent you with the sale or purchase of property? To help with property management? The answers is a clear and emphatic “NO.” Sure, a Realtor® must pass the real estate licensing exam within their state of practice, but it goes so much further beyond passing a test. Realtors® are bound by a code of ethics which focuses on treating all parties respectfully, fairly, and professionally. We have duties to the general public and duties to other Realtors® which we must uphold. If found not be upholding these duties, there is a process by which that behavior can be corrected through the Association – which give you, the consumer, an added pad of protection. If you find yourself working with a real estate agent who is not a Realtor®, but only a licensee, you may find you are working with somebody who may not abide by the same professional standards of conduct that you would expect, and that would work in protecting your position throughout any given transaction.
Out of more than 12,500 members of our Association, I was selected Ambassador of my industry. I have been recognized for my commitment to upholding the code of ethics in every interaction, for my commitment to ongoing support and betterment of the communities I serve (that’s where you come in Kensington and Talmadge), and for my volunteer efforts within my Association, serving on three committees as well as an incoming Director of the Board at the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors®. If you have ever given thought to selling or purchasing property anywhere in the United States, I encourage you to be sure you are contracting with a bona fide Realtor® (I am happy to refer you to one) and if requiring real estate services right here in San Diego, give me a try – after all, SDAR has already vetted me for you!