The REALTOR® Code of Ethics and Its Importance

Louisiana Realtors • April 6, 2022

Every leading organization or group of professionals has a foundation that represents what they stand for. Without these foundations the legacy, integrity, advantage, competitive difference, and drive toward continued improvement is nearly impossible to have. For professional real estate agents, specifically REALTORS®, this foundation is the REALTOR’S® Code of Ethics. But what exactly is the REALTOR’S® Code of Ethics, and why is it so important?



The REALTOR’S® Code of Ethics provides the highest safety measures for protecting both buyers and sellers of real estate. Being bound by this code as a REALTOR® offers you a distinct competitive advantage. 


The REALTOR’S® Code of Ethics features 17 articles containing detailed rules and standards of conduct. It is designed to ensure that REALTORS® will act accordingly in a number of scenarios and situations; protecting their clients with competency and integrity, and also protecting the esteemed reputation of the National Association of REALTORS®. 


The core of this code of ethics is to act in a way that protects all of the interests of who a REALTOR® represents. The expectation is to use all available knowledge and experience and apply it to every transaction. Achieving the best possible results for a client is the focus of the REALTOR’S® Code of Ethics.


Beyond that guiding principle, the rest of the articles included in the code are constructed to help you get to that goal. Overarching themes of honesty, cooperation, communication, and fairness are interwoven into the following 16 articles. The REALTOR’S® Code of Ethics is vitally important to you as a real estate professional, and especially to home buyers and home sellers of real estate as it provides the peace of mind that their best interests are at the root of you actions.


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Consumer Guide Update: State and Local Tax (SALT) Deductions

By Louisiana REALTORS® • July 28, 2025
NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on state and local tax (SALT) deductions . This guide explains federal tax law changes that temporarily quadruple the amount of state and local taxes (SALT) that taxpayers can deduct and will make homeownership more accessible and affordable, especially for people in higher-tax states. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: Assistance Programs Real Estate Auctions Working with a Real Estate Attorney Making Your Home More Energy Efficient Buying a Historic Property Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on August 6, which will cover packing tips and tricks.

Now Accepting: 2026 At-Large Board of Directors Applications

By Louisiana REALTORS® • July 25, 2025
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A Breakdown of Top Client Questions REALTORS® Hear — And How to Respond

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From flood zones to hurricane season, Louisiana clients have big questions. Learn how REALTORS® can confidently respond with local insights that build trust and close deals.
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