Today required a trip to the urgent care center for my 12 year old son. He has a small abscess on the corner of his mouth that started out looking like a pimple. Nothing worth an emergency room visit, but he was uncomfortable enough to need to see a doctor. When you are 12 and you can’t eat pizza, it’s time to go to the doctor.
As we were waiting in the exam room to see the physician, I noticed a Patient Bill of Rights posted on the wall, outlining the center’s goals for how all patients are to be treated. I have to say that I was impressed by it, and started thinking…do my clients realize that they have something similar when they work with me?
Since I’ve never put it in writing, they probably don’t!
So, with credit to the Gulf Coast Urgent Care Center (thanks Dr. Thompson) for inspiration and the headlines, here is my
West Bank Real Estate Client Bill of Rights.
Information Disclosure 
You have the right to receive accurate and easily understood information about buying or selling a home. If you do not understand something, assistance will be provided to you so you can make an informed decision. Communication is critical in real estate transactions. Your REALTOR® must be able to explain the terms of contracts to you, whether it is a listing agreement or a purchase agreement.
Choice of Providers and Plans
You have the right to receive your own professional real estate representation – you don’t have to call the name on the sign. You also have the right to negotiate any commission paid to your chosen professional.
Access to Emergency Timely Services
Most real estate “emergencies” can be easily remedied and are not cause for panic. But, everyone wants to know (and quickly) that there is a cure for what ails them. When you are working with a REALTOR®, you have the right to expect a timely response to all of your real estate needs, including returned phone calls, emails and other communications.
Participation in Treatment Real Estate Decisions
You have the right to know all of your real estate options and to participate in decisions about your choices. Your REALTOR® is your partner in the home buying or selling process, but you are in the driver’s seat.
As a seller, you have the ultimate say so in choosing to accept, counter or decline any offers received on your property – your REALTOR® is there to educate you about the market and assist you in making the right decision that meets your needs.
As a buyer, it is your call as to which neighborhoods you want to view homes in and what property you would like to purchase. It is your REALTORS® job to educate you about the market and how the buying process works. Additionally, buyers have the right to choose their own providers for financing, home inspections and closings.
Respect and Nondiscrimination 
You have the right to considerate, respectful and nondiscriminatory care from your real estate professional. Fair Housing Laws apply to all real estate practitioners, whether they are a member of the National Association of REALTORS® or not. Fair Housing is an important issue, but, in my opinion, if your REALTOR® does not treat you with consideration and respect it’s time to find a new one!
Confidentiality of Health Financial Information
You have the right to talk in confidence with your real estate professional and to have your information protected. One of the most important duties that a REALTOR® has to a client is a fiduciary duty – this includes loyalty, obedience to lawful instructions, disclosure, confidentiality, reasonable care and diligence and accounting of all funds entrusted to them.
You have a right to copies of all information in your real estate file. Your REALTOR® is required to provide you with copies of all documents you have signed.
Complaints and Appeals
You have the right to a fair and objective review of any complaints you may have against your real estate professional. If you are unable to work your issues out with your REALTOR®, these complaints can be addressed to the managing broker or to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission.
Related Reading:
5 Steps to Choosing Your New Orleans West Bank Real Estate Agent
Copyright 2008. Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.
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Interesting article again! good idea, real estate it’s one of the most important services used by citizens during their life, so why not to have something like Bill of Rights? I am working under Vancouver ReMax and participating in such big net of realtors comprehends some “spirit” of quality and rights for our customers, however, it’s not formal. I believe it’s a good step for realtor, to present his commitment in formal way…
Well, it is certainly a good idea, but all of this should be discussed up front. When I get a call or website hit from a buyer, the first thing I do is invite them to come to my office. Once there, all these things are discussed. I have a 60 to 90 minute meeting before I ever search a property for a client.
This is always put in writing with me, or I wont work with the client. So far, every buyer I have met with has signed a exclusive buyers’ agency agreement with me. Sometimes, I find that once I invite them to the office, they will say something like “well, I have to be honest with you, we already have a realtor. He is just to busy to take us out… Can’t you just show it to us?”. The initial buyers interview is extremely inmportant, so the client know how everything works and what rights they have, and so the agent does not waste precious time on a client that can’t buy, or has no intention of using you.
Every agent should qualify their client, and inform them well… When I was working as an assistant in my earliest days, I would sometimes recieve a call from an ad, and would invite them to the office. My boss would get mad, as say that if someone wants to see something, I am to just show it to them. I wasted a lot of time working for him, and it is simply not professional.