In his latest video, Ethics Guy® Kim Spencer discusses behaviour and attitudes necessary to improve our collective reputation with the public. In the fast pace of a busy market, like we’re seeing today, issues of ethics and professionalism become more visible to the public.

A big part of professionalism relates to treating colleagues and their clients with courtesy and respect. That means promptly returning phone calls and texts from other Realtors, providing complete information in your listings, and ensuring prospective home buyers have equal opportunities to view and make offers on your listings.

Watch the video below to hear from Kim about how we can work together to improve public perception of Realtors.

Kim's column from January 2019, republished below, also speaks to the importance of etiquette when dealing with clients and colleagues.

A while back the Board put a call out to new members to ask any questions they may have, and to experienced REALTORS® to share their advice. While trolling through the responses I noticed that etiquette was identified as a key component to success for all Realtors, whether new or experienced.

This isn’t a surprise, of course. As Realtors, we’re competing and collaborating with each other all the time. Good etiquette fosters respectful relationships. It’s much easier to work with someone you respect than with someone you don’t.

Members provided a lot of wisdom in their replies. Here are some of your responses to our question:

• Respect your colleagues’ relationship with their clients. Be sensitive about giving marketing materials with your name and brokerage logo all over them to someone else’s clients. If, for example, a buyer agent doesn’t have an open house feature sheet or Paragon print-out, you should offer one of yours but only offering it to the other Realtor directly, not to the buyers.
• While it can seem like we’re always at work, we should remember that we’re judged by how we present ourselves. While dressing professionally is a matter of opinion, it’s better to err on the side of dressing in business attire than to dress too casually and leave a potentially negative impression on the parties you need to put together a deal.
• One tip I’d like to share is directing buyers back to their Realtor when they inquire into one of my listings. When they’re working with a Realtor, I like to get in touch with their Realtor and give them a heads up that their client called about XYZ listing. It gives them an opportunity to reach out to their client and book an appointment, and I maintain a professional and courteous relationship with my colleagues. This builds trust for future negotiations.

Often mentioned as being a major concern was a lack of civility between members. It’s been said that “civility costs nothing, but means everything.”

• Why can’t we be civil to one another and also try and help each other out?

This member went on to say that he appreciates receiving prompt showing feedback from buyers’ agents, He also appreciates when a colleague shares a firm sale price with him, especially if it hasn’t yet been reported as being sold. He finished his post with a plea, asking his colleagues to please identify themselves and their brokerage when they meet in person or on the phone. It’s so very nice to know whom one is talking to!

A few others weighed in on the topic of basic courtesy:

• My biggest pet peeve is attitude. We’re both trying to get to the same goal here. Why are you bullying me? Aggression isn’t helping. Your client doesn’t think you’re a hero because you’re acting rude.
• I feel very irritated when I’ve confirmed a showing and am meeting the buyers and their agent at the property and then sit and cool my heels for 30 minutes or more before tracking down the Realtor only to find out the buyer has cancelled and the agent did not have the courtesy to call me!
• We all know it can be difficult to schedule times when you have many properties to show. Buyers may like one house and spend extra time, or they may hate a house and go through quickly. It happens to all of us. Please, if you are running early or late the courtesy of a phone call or a text is appreciated.

Finally, one member posted the ABCs of Realtor courtesy that we all would do well to remember:

• Always identify yourself and your company when meeting someone or leaving a message.
• Give me a business card (in person) so I know you’re a Realtor.
• Accept correction if something needs to be added to a contract to keep the deal together, or us Realtors out of trouble. For goodness sake’, accept the information graciously and thankfully. We need to work together to make our business work.
• Communication is paramount. I believe all Realtors should have their cell phone number on their listings, emails, and other correspondence. Often I’m told by real estate offices that a Realtor doesn’t allow their cell phone number to be given out. In this case, I must page the Realtor and wait for them to call me back (on their cell phone) at which time I record the number so I can call them easily if there are questions. This wastes time and is annoying. Being reachable by colleagues and clients is essential in our “new” marketplace.