As a member of the National Association of Realtors, I am very concerned with Ms. Waig’s comments regarding Realtors in the Dec. 30 issue of this paper.
In the article she reasons that the Windham assessors database was taken off line in order to prevent “criminals and Realtors” from accessing public information. Ms. Waig shows an incredible lack of understanding of what the National Association of Realtors is and phenomenal insensitivity toward the largest trade organization in the USA by lumping Realtors together with criminals. A few facts Ms. Waig:
1. In 1913, we adopted a strict Code of Ethics that stands today. Members are subject to severe penalties including large fines and possible expulsion for violating the Code of Ethics.
2. The National Association of Realtors was founded in 1908 making us one of, if not the oldest trade organization in the United States.
3. With 850,000+ members we are the largest trade organization in the United States.
I’ll give you a quote from the Preamble of our Code of Ethics that may help you understand why your generalizations and public railing on Realtors is disturbing.
“…such interests impose obligations beyond those of ordinary commerce. They impose grave social responsibility and a patriotic duty to which Realtors should dedicate themselves…”
Our office demands adherence to the Realtor Code of Ethics without fail. I’m sure many others do as well. If you are getting calls from Realtors that you don’t want, may I suggest that instead of pulling down the public records that we need in order to serve the public you instead add your name to the “do not call list”.
The next time I have to waste time, gas and the town’s human resources to obtain public records in the fulfillment of my ethical and legal obligations to my client I’ll drop off a copy of our 11-page Code of Ethics for you to read. It may give you better insight into why we take such exception to being lumped together with criminals.
Charlie Tufts
Broker/Owner
Coldwell Banker Team Real Estate, Windham
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