Stay Inside Your Area of Expertise!!

The NAR Code of Ethics, Article 11, states that REALTORS® shall not provide specialized professional services that are outside their field of competence, unless they engage the assistance of one who is competent on such types of property or service, or unless the facts are fully disclosed to the client.


What is a licensee’s field of competence?
Consider the boundaries of your own field of competence and experience. Certainly, real estate licensees are trained to assess property values. But are we trained to assess all property values? An opinion by a licensee with residential experience may be quite valid for a residential property but valuing a commercial or an industrial property is very different.  Likewise, an agent may have ample experience listing properties for rent and preparing lease agreements but no experience in property management.  Most frequently, we see agents who do not have experience or education and are presented with opportunities in commercial real estate, multi-family and property management. 


A licensee must be careful to not present a value opinion as an appraisal. It is a violation of license law to indicate that an opinion given to a potential seller, purchaser, landlord, or tenant regarding a listing, rental, or purchase price is an appraisal unless such licensee holds an appraiser classification in accordance with the Georgia Real Estate Commission. 


Every licensee has their own unique experience. If you are asked to perform a service that is not within your own experience, remember that the Code of Ethics, Article 11, requires you to get assistance from someone that is competent in the field or to disclose the fact of your inexperience to the client (in writing). The client can then decide if an assignment should be yours despite inexperience.  


Keep in mind, you can always refer business and collect a referral fee.  Focus on what you know, and if you want to expand your expertise, be sure to get proper training so that you can best represent your client.