The single, most outstanding characteristic that sets REALTORS^® apart from other real estate practitioners is the willingness to accept and abide by the Code of Ethics of the National Association of REALTORS^®.

The Code of Ethics, which was first adopted on July 29, 1913, is a living document, responsive in its content to changes in the law and industry. The Code has been revised many times over the years to reflect current developments in professional real estate practice. The term REALTOR^® has come to represent competency, honesty, and high integrity. These qualities stem from voluntary adherence to an ideal of moral conduct in real estate business practices.

But even with the best of intentions, planning and preparation, occasional disagreements arise between REALTORS^® and/or between REALTORS^® and their clients or customers. As civil litigation becomes increasingly costly, time-consuming, and burdensome, there has been a trend among private parties to settle disputes and conflicting claims through alternative means.

MAAR offers its members and their clients and customers a vehicle to economically expedite ethics complaints and/or arbitration requests without going to court. If a monetary dispute arises from a real estate transaction or if you believe a REALTOR^® may have acted in an unethical manner, seek a resolution through MAAR. Ethics complaints that are brought before MAAR give those parties involved an opportunity to be educated about the Code. In addition, REALTORS^® are judged by their peers as opposed to other individuals who may be far less familiar with the practices and customs of the real estate industry.

Additional information on the Code of Ethics may be obtained from the National Association of REALTORS^® or the Tennessee REALTORS^®.