Las Vegas Real Estate Career

The process for complaints or ethics violations through Greater Las Vegas Assoication of Realtors® (GLVAR):

• Either a member of the public or another Realtor® may file an ethics complaint.
• The complaint first goes to the Grievance Committee.
• If the Grievance Committee feels the complaint has merit, the case will then go forward to the Professional Standards Committee for a formal hearing.
• In Professional Standards, the case is handled as if in a courtroom.

1. Article 1 - Protect and promote your client; treat all parties honestly.

a) Earnest Money

• Not getting any and signing that you did
• Giving check back to buyer who changes his mind before you open escrow and not informing other agent
• Checking earnest money deposit under the default paragraph on the Residential Purchase Agreement (RPA) if you have no earnest deposit
• Letting buyer move in early without making earnest deposit hard in case the deal goes south

b) Representing both sides in a relationship - Be very careful to be equally honest with all parties

c) Representing yourself or a close friend

2. Article 9 - Put it in writing!

• Not filling in all blanks
• All parties must have copies of everything
• All amendments and documents must have signatures
• Dates and time are part of a complete document
• “Per Lender” - not appropriate for loan information
• Problems with documents particularly on lease options - be sure language is very clear
• Take notes on all contacts, phone calls and documents given with your client - be sure they are part of your file

3. Article 2 - Avoid misrepresentation, exaggeration and concealment

• Be truthful
• Do not misrepresent the amount of the earnest deposit
• Keep buyers informed of zoning changes
• Do not list as residential when zoning is being changed to commercial
• Do not lease homes that are about to be foreclosed
• If you know of anything adverse, you need to disclose

4. Article 12 - Be truthful in advertising

• Cannot use a URL Domain name that would present less than a true picture. Ex: “RockbottompricesinLV.com”
• Must be entitled to use Realtor® designations and must be current in dues to those organizations
• Cannot be misleading
• Must state that you are a Realtor®
• Must put Realtor® on business cards
• Must use name on your business card that is on your real estate license. Nicknames may be put in parenthesis
• Putting wrong photos in MLS
• Cannot advertise a home that you have not listed

5. Article 16 - Take no action inconsistent with another Realtor’s® exclusive relationship

• Must ask if a person is already represented with a brokerage agreement
• Cannot list a property before it is expired or unconditionally withdrawn
• May not change broker compensation via a RPA, addendum or counter
• If in a short sale situation, if compensation is changed by the bank, you must specifically state how commission is to be split

Any complaints filed and/or the results of any hearing by the Association are confidential. They are not a matter of public record.

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