Though many people use the terms interchangeably, they are not the same. The basic difference is a REALTOR is a member of the National Association of REALTORS^®. As such, a REALTOR must subscribe to the REALTOR Code of Ethics. 

What are these? There are 17 articles and various Standards of Practice. These Standards are restrictive and strictly enforced, than those who simple hold a real estate license. Below are the articles paraphrased. The full Code of Ethics and Standard of Practice of the National Association of Realtors can be found here. 

1. Pledge to protect and promote the interest of their client. To put the clients interest ahead of their own and to treat all parties honestly and fairly. 
2. Shall avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation or concealment of pertinent facts relating to the property or transaction. REALTORS shall not be obligated to discover latent defects in the property or advise on matters outside the scope of their license.
3. Shall cooperate with other brokers/agents when it is in the best interest of the client to do so. 
4. Have a duty to disclose to the owner or owner’s agent their true position if they are represent themselves, immediate family members, their firms or any member there of, in a real estate transaction.
5. Shall not provide professional services in a transaction where the agent has a present or contemplated interest with out disclosing that interest. 
6. Shall not collect any commission, rebate or profit on expenditures made for their client without the client’s knowledge. If a REALTOR makes a recommendation or referral to another service and may receive financial benefit or fees, they must disclose to their client.
7. Shall not accept compensation from more than one party, with out disclosure to all parities and the informed consent of the REALTOR’s client/s.
8. Shall not co-mingle client funds with their own. 
9. Shall attempt to ensure that all written documents are written in clear and understandable language and will provide each party a copy of what they sign. 
10. Shall not discriminate in any fashion for any reason on the basis or race, color , religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. 
11. Expects agents to conform to standards of practice and
    be competent in the specific real estate disciplines in which they engage.  REALTORS shall not provide services that are outside their field of competence.
12. Shall be honest and truthful in their real estate communications and present a true picture in their advertising, marketing and other representation.
13. Shall not practice law unless they are a lawyer. 
14. Shall cooperate if charges are brought against them and present all evidence or pertinent facts requested and shall take not action to disrupt or obstruct such process.
15. Shall not knowingly or recklessly make false or misleading statements about competitors, their businesses or practices. 
16. Shall not solicit another REALTOR’S client nor interfere in a contractual relationship. 
17. Shall submit to arbitration to settle matters and not seek legal remedies in the judicial system. 

While there is no guarantee that all REALTORS^{® are morally and ethically better than unaffiliated real estate agents, it is an attempt by the industry to regulate and impose obligation beyond those of ordinary commerce. REALTORS® have a common responsibility to maintain and improve the standards of their fellow REALTORS®.} 

I am your constant companion. 

I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden. 

I will push you onward or drag you down to failure. 

I am completely at your command. 

Half the things you do, you might just as well turn over to me, 

and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly. 

I am easily managed; you must merely be firm with me. 

Show me exactly how you want something down, and after a few lessons I will do it automatically. 

I am the servant of all men. 

and , alas, of all failures as well. 

Those who are great, I have made great. 

Those who are failures, I have made failures. 

I am not a  machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine. 

Plus, the intelligence of a man. 

You may run me for profit, or run me for ruin; it makes no difference to me. 

Take me, train me, be firm with me and I will put the world at your feet. 

Be easy with me, and I will destroy you. 

Who am I???  I am a Habit. 

- Mastery by Stewart Emery

NAR (National Association of Realtors) and others report Congress to introduce some type of legistlation to extend and expand the First Time Home Buyer Credit. Talk is regarding extending for 6 to 13 months and to make this available to all homebuyers.

Read the whole article here at Canton Daily Ledger

“Moderation and Consistency over time produce significant results.”  - educator

My Dad gave me this article to read called Success Through Perseverance. The next two paragraphs were taken right out of it, because there is much truth to it and I wanted to share it with all who sometime just want it to fall into our laps. 

To Persevere means to ‘hold firmly and steadily to some purpose, state, or undertaking despite obstacles or setbacks.’ It implies continuing resolutely in the face of adversity, being tenacious, not giving up. 

Perseverance has become a rare commodity in modern times. Many people believe that success has more to do with being in the right place at the right time than it does with perseverance. Who can blame them? The news media is saturated with advertising slogans that subliminally drive home the message that almost anything you want can be had with a minimum of effort and just a little more money. Newspapers churn out a steady stream of stories about overnight successes and whiz-kid entrepreneurs making millions right tout of school. 

Laments columnist Leonard Pitts: ” In a society obsessed with perception, it looks too easy… Looks like something anyone could do if he just understood the trick, had the ability, or intercepted the bolt of lighting from God.”

There is a fine mental balance, I believe, that needs to happen. I have many times lost focus of that. Sidetracked by the mundane routine of work or thoughts, forgetting the big picture. We all have setbacks, or times that we all of a sudden catch ourselves saying, ‘this is not where I want to be.’ The article quotes a mental-health expert who’s says, “One of the things I’ve noticed about successful people is that they have a clear understanding of the relationship between cause and effect in their lives.”  Here are    tips of how to reach our goals. 

1. Have a clear understanding of all necessary steps we need to take to achieve what we want
2. If you encounter setbacks, view them in a positive light and see them as a learning experience 
3. Consistent action

A great book to read along the lines of hard word to seperate us from others is:
Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin.

7 Keys to Staying Positive in a Down World       compliments of Brian Buffini

This was presented to us at our sales meeting on Tuesday. I eat this stuff up because no matter how many times you hear it, or how many different ways it is put…it is all positive and actually works.

“Losing is Painful… But not as painful as knowing you could have done more.”

I read this quote a week ago and it has been on my mind ever since. I wanted to share it with you to see what kind of memories or thoughts it brings up for you.

This quote is hanging on the wall in the lobby of my friends workplace in downtown Portland. Above the quote hangs an old casing for a civil war sword. I’m sure we can all figure out how the quote applies to the war that was fought. But what about individually? 

I have ‘lost’ a few battles over the years. One of the biggest battles that I have lost… in the end, I was able to look back and say that I had tried everything in my power, at that time, to be victorious. The quote isn’t about the final outcome. It is about the determination, the mind set and the willpower you have while you are going through the thick of ‘it.’

In business, we all have a tendency to want to be lazy from time to time. I don’t want to always make that last phone call, or send out my cards, or follow up on a potential client. If you give in to that feeling and something happens, how do you feel? Less than good, and you wish that you would have preformed to the extent that you know you are capable of. Lesson learned! It’s a good reminder to give it your all in everything you do so that if you do lose one ‘war’ you know you didn’t lose the ‘battle.

We have all heard the Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity, “..insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” In a book that I am reading they make the comment “A person who continues doing exactly the same things should expect exactly the same results.” Same difference right?! 

The second noted quote just excludes the name calling and gives the impression that someone might be okay with that type of outcome. There are many things that we do on a daily basis that we have no need to change. For example, I’m sure most of us get up and brush our teeth pretty close to the same way we do everyday. Side to side, up and down, around maybe, swipe the tongue and if we are really good, do a little flossing. The result is a nice clean mouth. Really no need to change the way that is being done. 

However, what about seeing improvement in our careers or personal relationships. If we continue to talk about the same things to our ‘other’ all the time and expect the same enthusiasm or investment in return from them (result), well we can apply the first quote (insanity).

In our careers, are we constantly trying to better our services? What about our conversational ability? How about our knowledge in a particular field? How do we make ourself stand out from another? If what we are doing now is working for us and yielding good results. Don’t stop. However, will that make us grow? NO. Find ways to implement new and exciting tools. Visit new ideas, better our strategies, tighten up on our schedules, do market research to stay up to date with what our type of clients are looking for. These are just a few basic ideas.

I always love hearing your experiences on  what you are currently doing to step out of the box, to grow in your business or relationships. Feel free to throw your ideas and comments out there for all read and digest.

We have heard it all before but it is a good time for a reminder. 

I discovered I always have choices and sometimes it’s only a choice of attitude. ~ Anonymous 

First, I apologize for not sending out MMQ for the past 3 or 4 weeks. I am back on the wagon and know that you will find this message, one that will resinate with you. 

We all go through major changes through out our lifetime. Some harder than others. This was sent out at my office, found by an agent who so graciously shared it. The suggestion to me is one  that I will pass on to you. That is, to take a couple of minutes, read and digest this beautiful message. 

  “I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.  I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things:  a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights.  I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life.  I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life”. I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.  I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.  I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.  I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.  I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.  People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.  I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.  I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Realtor.org publishes article on announcement from HUD Secretary of new and important changes! In efforts to further stabilize the economy, this change will allow buyers to access the, up to $8000 tax credit, funds immediately at the closing table. 

Read the full article Here

Martin Matsumura of Select Lending made a insightful comment that ‘without a doubt, it will take some  time for the lenders to digest this information and figure out how to underwrite the files, update their software systems and train their staff.’ However, the process is in motion and updates will be coming. 

This means not only will First Time Home buyers have a $8000 tax incentive, low interest rates, plenty of inventory to choose from and excellent prices… That $8000 may just cover your 3.5% down payment on a FHA loan!