AARE Knowledge Base Community
What do you need to know?
268 policies from the Nationwide edition Best Practices Manual.
Common questions
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Practical paths for building your AARE practice.
- Joining AAREYour first 30 days: setup, training, tools, and how you get paid
- Commercial real estateLearn commercial sales and leasing, with mentors in every state
- SyndicationsGroup investing: how AARE syndication groups work and how to get trained
- Lending with EnsureMortgage lending through Ensure, becoming a loan officer, and RESPA rules
- Property managementManaging rentals with AARE: training, AppFolio, leases, and trust funds
- Business salesSelling and buying businesses: AARE's business opportunities service line
Policies by topic
- Commissions, fees & getting paid
- Taking a listing
- Buyers, showings & offers
- Paperwork & file compliance
- Disclosures & material facts
- Agency & dual agency
- Fair housing & discrimination
- Advertising, social media & websites
- Personal safety
- Environmental hazards
- Deposits & trust funds
- Complaints, disputes & lawsuits
- Ethics & misrepresentation
- Office, hours & contacts
- Assistants, teams & TCs
Full manual
View as one page- Section overview
- 4.1Real Estate Office Business Hours
- 4.2Transaction Support Hotline Hours
- 4.3Observed Holidays
- 4.4Contacting the Company
- 4.5Teamwork Encouraged
- 4.6Selfish Behavior Discouraged
- 4.7Substance Use
- 4.8Smoking
- 4.9Company Meetings
- 4.10Training Program and Schedule
- 4.11Office and Conference Room Appearance
- 4.12Conference Rooms
- 4.13Optional Desks and Private Offices
- 4.14Office Equipment
- 4.15Dress Code
- 4.16Eating in the Work Area
- 4.17Parking
- 4.18Keys and Access Cards
- 4.19Office Security
- 4.20Working at Home
- 4.21Changes in Contact Information
- 4.22Company Supplied Items
- 4.23Business Cards
- 4.24Sign Policy
- 4.25Telephone Policy
- 4.26Caravans
- 4.27Fees, Bonuses and Commissions
- 4.28Deductions
- 4.29Monthly Advances/Draws
- 4.30Trust Funds
- 4.31Trust Fund Records To Be Maintained
- 4.32Commingling & Conversion
- 4.33Operations Account Reconciliation
- 4.34Safe Work Environment
- 4.35Safe Driving
- 4.36Personal Transactions
- 4.37Vacation/Leave Time for Associates
- 4.38Extended Leaves of Absence
- 4.39Jury Duty
- 4.40Injury at Work
- 4.41Antitrust Policy
- 4.42Antitrust Guidelines Recap
- 4.43Transaction Coordinators & Auditors
- 4.44Risk Management and Errors & Omissions (E&O) Fee
- 4.45Associate Business Expenses
- 4.46Performance Evaluations, Status Reports & Termination of Inactive Associates
- 4.47Associate Vehicle
- Section overview
- 6.1General
- 6.2Designated Broker, Manager or Designee Review
- 6.3Get It in Writing
- 6.4Online Document Storage (Google Drive) & Custom @AARE.ORG Email Address
- 6.5Paperwork Procedures Nationwide & State Specific
- 6.6Paperwork Procedures for Residential and Commercial Purchase Transactions
- 6.7Paperwork Procedure for Residential and Commercial Listing Transactions
- 6.8Paperwork Procedure for Residential and Commercial Lease/Property Management Transactions
- 6.9Do Not Use Outdated Forms
- 6.10Document Destruction & Shredding – Pricing & Locations
- 6.11The Listing/Management Commission Agreement
- 6.12Regulators, Government Officials – Inquires/Visits/Subpoenas
- 6.13State Real Estate Regulator, Commission or Department Audits
- Section overview
- 7.1Proprietary Information
- 7.2Sharing Information
- 7.3Online Privacy Policy
- 7.4Fair Housing
- 7.5Agency Relationships and Duties
- 7.6Buyer Qualification Policy
- 7.7Farming
- 7.8Listing Presentations
- 7.9Taking Listings
- 7.10Listing Procedures
- 7.11Negotiating Commissions
- 7.12Commission Charges
- 7.13Advance Fees
- 7.14Other Listing Terms
- 7.15Sellers Refusing to Sign Exclusive Right to Sell Listing Agreement
- 7.16Disclosure of Material Facts
- 7.17Property Disclosure Statements
- 7.18Conducting Open Houses
- 7.19Showing Properties
- 7.20Property Insurance Issues
- 7.21Drafting and Negotiating Contracts
- 7.22Purchase Sale Contract Policy
- 7.23Loan Modification
- 7.24Property Management
- 7.25Loan Origination
- 7.26Gifts
- 7.27Out-Of-State or Out-Of-Country Business
- 7.28Referral Fees
- 7.29Power of Attorney
- 7.30Cooperation and Compensation Policy
- 7.31Telephone Solicitation Policy - Do Not Call Compliance
- Section overview
- 10.1State, Federal, & Regulatory Agencies
- 10.2Department of Real Estate Commissions & State Regulators
- 10.3Professional Organizations – NAR, State Board, and Local Board
- 10.4Code of Ethics
- 10.5Standards of Ethical Conduct & Behavior
- 10.6Protecting the Interest of the Client
- 10.7Client vs. Customer
- 10.8Duties Owed To A Third Party
- 10.9Compensation and the Creation of Agency Relationships
- 10.10Agency Disclosure Law
- 10.11Refusal of Seller or Buyer to sign the Acknowledgement of Receipt
- 10.12Undisclosed Dual Agency
- 10.13Dual Agency Considerations (if permitted in your State)
- 10.14Terminating an Agency Relationship
- 10.15Breach of Duties
- 10.16Misrepresentation
- 10.17Non-Disclosure
- 10.18Conflict of Interest
- 10.19Prohibited Conduct With Respect to Clients and Customers
- 10.20Misrepresenting Market Value
- 10.21Misrepresentation of Savings or Benefits that might be realized through the use of a REALTOR®
- 10.22Misrepresentation vs. Puffing
- 10.23Misrepresenting Presentation of Offers
- 10.24Disclosure of Terms or Price on Existing Offers
- 10.25Disclosure of Company Policies Relating to Commissions
- 10.26Misrepresenting that Commissions Are Not Negotiable
- 10.27Misrepresenting Relationships with Individual Broker
- 10.28Misrepresentation of Closing Costs
- 10.29Misrepresentation of Buyer Qualification
- 10.30Altering a Document by Adding Unauthorized Changes
- 10.31Misrepresenting the Form, Amount, or Treatment of Deposits
- 10.32Misrepresenting the Size of the Property
- 10.33Failure to Disclose Dual Agency
- 10.34Failure to Submit Offers In A Timely Manner
- 10.35Presentation of Competing Offers
- 10.36Failure to Submit Additional Offers after Seller Has Accepted an Offer
- 10.37Disclosure of Existence of Other Offers
- 10.38Preserving Confidential Information
- 10.39Material Facts Must Be Disclosed
- 10.40Non Disclosure of Material Facts
- 10.41Failure to Explain Offer Contingencies
- 10.42Explaining Agreements Generated by Electronic Transmission
- 10.43Conflicts of Interest
- 10.44Referral Fees or Kickbacks Are Prohibited
- 10.45Duty to the Public
- 10.46Providing Competent Services
- 10.47Ethical Advertising
- 10.48Sharing Information and iFraming on the Internet
- 10.49Offering Prizes, Inducements, and Free Services (if permitted by your State)
- 10.50Offering Property for Sale without Authority
- 10.51Name of Firm Must Be Disclosed in Advertising
- 10.52Disclosure of License Status
- 10.53Unauthorized Practice of Law
- 10.54Cooperation in REALTOR® Professional Standards Hearings
- 10.55Duties to All REALTORS®
- 10.56Making False or Misleading Statements about Competitors
- 10.57Interfering with Agency Relationships
- 10.58Real Estate Commission Complaints
- 10.59Restricted or Temporary Licenses (term varies by State)
- 10.60Pending, Closed or Potential Lawsuits
- 10.61Signing Agreements with Third Parties
- 10.62Continuing Education
- 10.63Written and Oral Exams
- Section overview
- 14.1Risk Reduction Policies
- 14.2Compliance with All Laws, Rules, and Regulations
- 14.3Compliance with This Policy Manual
- 14.4Physical Condition of Property
- 14.5“Stigmas” on Property
- 14.6Documentation of Disclosure
- 14.7Use of Experts and "Recommendations"
- 14.8Managing Risk and Liability Training
- 14.9Use of Legal Counsel
- 14.10Errors and Omissions Insurance
- 14.11Complaint Handling Procedures
- 14.12Adoption and Enforcement of Written Policies
- 14.13Sharing Current Legal Situations at Meetings
- 14.14Risk Anticipation
- 14.15Documentation and Record Keeping
- 14.16Risk Control
- 14.17Risk Shifting
- 14.18Managing Internet Risks
- 14.19Privacy Issues
- 14.20Common Areas of Risk
- 14.21Associate Supervision
- 14.22Avoiding the Unauthorized Practice of Law
- 14.23Contract Law Liability
- 14.24Attorney’s fees
- 14.25Specific Performance
- 14.26Intentional Concealment
- 14.27Offering Opinions
- 14.28Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act
- 14.29Prohibited Settlement Practices: Kickbacks, Fee-Splitting, Unearned Fees
- 14.30RESPA Section 9 - Seller Required Title Insurance
- 14.31Real Estate Law
- 14.32Potential Liabilities
- 14.33Potential Liability Relating to Agency Relationships
- 14.34Breach of Fiduciary Duties
- 14.35Potential Liability Relating to Fair Housing
- 14.36Prohibited Actions
- 14.37The Role of Federal, State, and Local Governments in Fair Housing Law
- 14.38Disability
- 14.39Fair Housing Laws as Applied to Those with Disabilities
- 14.40Familial Status
- 14.41Fair Housing Practices (Definitions)
- 14.42Potential Liability Relating to Environmental Issues
- 14.43Potential Liability Relating to Antitrust Law Violations
- 14.44Reducing Antitrust Liability
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