As fellow professionals, we ask that you take a few moments to consider the importance of REALTOR^® ethics and professionalism during a time of low inventory, low interest rates, and high demand by consumers. In a tight market it can be tempting to forego these practices, and unfortunately we've been hearing from the public and our membership that standards have slipped in the past year. This reminder is offered to protect you, your business, your colleagues and the public--AND provide you with a new resource! Please take a few minutes to read on.

The real estate business is unlike any other. In this industry, we promote our client’s interest while cooperating with our fellow agents to arrive at the successful closing of a transaction. All members of Kent Washington Association of REALTORS^® take an oath and commit to conducting business with the highest degree of integrity, ethics and compliance with the laws of Rhode Island. We subscribe to Pathways to Professionalism and the Golden Rule which says: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. We refrain from activities which would jeopardize our good name.

Important components of these ideals are: our duties to clients and customers, our duties to the public and our duties to REALTORS^®. We must remember that a colleague’s client today may become our client next year. We must behave with integrity in order to keep our good reputation. Actions that build positive reputation with the public and trust among REALTORS^®  include:

When faced with a difficult situation, we must ask ourselves, “What is the right thing to do?”

The Kent Washington Association of REALTORS^® is a leader in good real estate practice. We have a process for handling when our members may have fallen short of expectations. We also have an ombudsman’s program to hear possible violations and determine the best way to handle the situation. A conversation with KWAOR's ombudsman,

CEO Linda Arcouette, often yields positive resolution of conflicts and disagreements between REALTORS^®, and mitigates misunderstandings with members of the public.

We have set up two private Facebook group pages to praise our members when they correctly handle difficult situations, to share information, and to encourage conversations about best practices. These groups are visible ONLY to our members, and requests to join must be approved.

To join a page, click the orange link; when you get to the page click the Join button. Approval will be received within 24 hours. For member answers to unfamiliar situations, consider our brand-new KWAOR Members Group. For our Broker Owners Group page, click here.

Please participate in our discussion of best practices. If there is something you're unsure of, don't be afraid to ASK before taking action or ignoring a potential problem. We value your opinions and look forward to being in conversation with you!

Growing awareness among real estate professionals has resulted in the understanding that fair housing in America is still an issue. This month, REALTORS^® are encourage to stop, look and listen to increase understanding of this important issue.

Like to learn about the world from podcasts? From This American Life to The Bowery Boys, the National Association of REALTORS® Center for REALTOR® Development presents podcasts that will educate you on Fair Housing. Click the blue links below to enlighten your next run, walk or long drive!

Ensuring Fair Housing for All with NAR's Bryan Greene | Podcast

Building Stuyvesant Town: A Mid-Century Controversy with The Bowery Boys

Prefer a good book? NAR and KWAOR CEO Linda Arcouette HIGHLY RECOMMEND The Color of Law! Click the image below to reserve one of NAR's audiobook copies. More reading recommendations here.

The Greater Providence Board of REALTORS^®, Kent Washington Association of REALTORS^® and the Northern RI Board of REALTORS^® will co-host nationally-recognized REALTORS^® and speaker Robert Morris Jr. in a one- hour webinar:

Thursday May 19th

with Bob Smith of R.J. Smith Construction

Construction of the Mill Cove Footbridge has begun!! Members of the Community Outreach Committee helped out with this Land Conservancy of North Kingstown project recently. Watch your email for opportunities to assist with the final stage. The completed pedestrian bridge will connect Wickford to the Wilson Park footpath.

Builders Needed KWAOR members are invited to help build the next South County Habitat for Humanity home, on Friday June 25th. If you would like to receive details about this opportunity, please contact Kelly Moran.

Plans are underway for a Save The Bay Cleanup in September. If you would like to join the Community Outreach Committee to receive notice of this and other volunteer opportunities, contact Carol Drewes.

KWAOR EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The KWAOR Education Committee plans education programs for KWAOR members including our monthly Lunch & Learns, Webinars and live events when possible. Want to get involved? Contact Kathleen Papp.

KWAOR PROGRAMS COMMITTEE

SAVE THE DATE: KWAOR Annual Fundraiser Scheduled for August 19th at Yawgoo Bakes & BBQ! The KWAOR Programs Committee is now planning our annual fundraiser, which will be a family-friendly gathering with great summer food, outdoor games, a silent auction and/or raffle, and more! The fundraiser will benefit President's Charity

Be The Change/Project A Hand Up of West Warwick, and South County Habitat for Humanity. If you would like to get involved in planning this or other KWAOR events, or if your team or firm would like to sponsor a game, form a fundraising team or form a competitive team (cornhole, volleyball or ???), please contact Carol Drewes.

For the full RIAR article on this legislation and its impact for REALTORS^® and their clients, click here. Still have more questions? Contact the RIAR Legal Department at 401-432-6945 or email monica@rirealtors.org.

Does YOUR firm have a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program? If not, ask why -- you can suggest these guidelines from NAR.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are more than buzzwords. A DEI program can help you comply with existing anti-discrimination and fair housing laws while promoting a culture where all of your team members, clients, and vendors feel welcome. Learn more about how to get started -- click the image to watch NAR's Window to the Law video with Senior Counsel Charlie Lee.