Serve, Don’t Sell™: Your Trusted Advisor
The Code of Ethics asks more of you than the law does, and that gap is where trust gets built. This course covers the Code’s Articles, the duties owed to clients, the public, and other REALTORS®, and the everyday gray areas in disclosure, advertising, cooperation, and compensation where good agents still get it wrong.
Course Details
Instructor
Shelley Hoffman
Level
Intermediate – Continuing Education
Duration
2.5 hours core CE
Delivery
In-Person or via Zoom
Course Content
Course summary
This course examines how ethical conduct helps real estate professionals build trust, protect the public, and
create sustainable businesses based on service rather than pressure or persuasion. The course begins with
the history and purpose of the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics and reviews how the Code
establishes professional standards that may extend beyond minimum legal requirements. Students will
receive an overview of the Articles and the duties REALTORS® owe to clients/customers, the public, and
other REALTORS®. Through practical examples, case studies, and discussion, students will examine common
ethical issues and misunderstandings involving disclosure, confidentiality, cooperation, advertising,
compensation, representation, communication, and professional conduct. The course also introduces
Pathways to Professionalism and explores how courtesy, accountability, sound judgment, and the Serve,
Don't Sell philosophy support the role of the real estate professional as a trusted advisor.
Learning objectives
- Explain the history and purpose of the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics.
- Distinguish between license law, the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, general business ethics, and professional
courtesy. - Identify the three major sections of the Code of Ethics and the duties included within each section.
- Recognize the general purpose of the 17 Articles and identify Articles commonly involved in everyday
real estate transactions. - Apply principles of honesty, disclosure, confidentiality, cooperation, competency, and professional
accountability to real-world situations. - Identify common ethical issues and misunderstandings involving client instructions, material facts,
multiple offers, advertising, compensation, communication, and exclusive relationships. - Evaluate case studies to determine which ethical duties may apply and identify appropriate professional
actions. - Explain the purpose of Pathways to Professionalism and distinguish voluntary professional courtesies
from enforceable duties under the Code. - Use the Serve, Don't Sell philosophy to make business decisions that place service, informed consent,
trust, and the client's interests ahead of personal gain. - Develop practical habits that support ethical decision-making and strengthen the licensee's role as a
trusted advisor.
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
3.5hrs 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 online while remaining compliant with Agency & Code of Ethics.
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.