Serve, Don’t Sell™: Relationships with Purpose
Being helpful isn’t the same as representing someone. This course grounds the Serve, Don’t Sell philosophy in New York agency law — disclosure, consent, fiduciary duty, and the line between client and customer — so you know exactly whom you represent and how to say so clearly.
Course Details
Instructor
Shelley Hoffman
Level
Intermediate – Continuing Education
Duration
2 hours core CE
Delivery
In-Person or via Zoom
Course Content
Course summary
This course examines how New York State agency law can be used as the foundation for a service-focused real
estate practice. The course connects the Serve, Don’t Sell philosophy with the legal responsibilities of
representation by showing licensees how clear agency disclosure, informed consent, fiduciary duties,
confidentiality, and competent communication protect consumers and strengthen professional relationships.
Students will review the agency relationships used in New York, the distinction between clients and customers,
dual agency, designated agency, and common agency risks. Through practical examples and discussion,
students will learn that serving a client does not mean simply being helpful or completing a transaction. It
means understanding whom the licensee represents, acting within the scope of that relationship, placing the
client’s lawful interests first, and communicating in a way that builds trust without creating confusion about
representation
Learning objectives
- Identify the agency relationships commonly used in New York real estate transactions and explain whom
the licensee represents. - Distinguish between a client and a customer and describe how a service-focused licensee must
communicate with each. - Describe when and how agency disclosure must be provided, explained, acknowledged, and documented.
- Apply the fiduciary duties of obedience, loyalty, disclosure, confidentiality, accounting, and reasonable
care to common transaction situations. - Explain how dual agency, designated agency, and informed consent affect the level of service and
advocacy a licensee may provide. - Recognize conduct that may appear helpful but could create confusion, unintended representation, or a
breach of agency duties. - Use clear communication, expectation-setting, and documentation to build lasting relationships while
complying with agency law.
Your instructor — Shelley Hoffman
Shelley Hoffman, ABR, GRI, SRS, CBR, AHWD, MREID
Shelley Hoffman, owner of Real Estate, I Love it, is an Approved NYS Instructor and NY State licensed real estate broker who lives in Central New York. Her goal is to help real estate professionals grow their businesses while maintaining their professional standards.
What’s included
2hrs of instruction
Counts toward NYS CE
Digital resources provided
Who this is for
This course is for established real estate professionals looking to grow their businesses through purposeful relationships.
Interested? Sign up to be notified when this course is available.
Other courses to consider
We Got You Covered!
With Shelley Hoffman & Shauna Teelin
Looking to complete your 22.5hrs of NYS’s continuing education requirement in one course? We Got You Covered!
What Does the Public Think? Agency & Ethics
With Shelley Hoffman
Make your businesses more productive while ensuring you meet the DOS requirements for Agency and the Code of Ethics. Review license law as it pertains to the virtual world.
3.5hrs of NYS CE.
Watch Your Language
With Shelley Hoffman
Identify types and styles of communication to better serve the needs of your clients, customers, professionals, and the public.
2hrs NYS CE.