Section 4
General Office Procedures
47 policies
- 4.1Real Estate Office Business HoursBusiness hours are: Mondays–Fridays: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Saturdays: Closed Sundays: Closed - Sabbath
- 4.2Transaction Support Hotline HoursHotline Support hours are: Mondays–Fridays: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturdays: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Sundays: Based on Availability
- 4.3Observed HolidaysThe following holidays will be observed, and the office support staff will be unavailable: New Year’s Day Martin Luther King Jr. Day Memorial Day 4th of July Labor Day…
- 4.4Contacting the CompanyEmergency Contacts If you are involved in an incident resulting in serious injury to people or property, immediately dial 911. Non-emergency Contacts A representative of…
- 4.5Teamwork EncouragedAARE’s vision is to create a sharing environment where each member can learn from each other. We should share in each other’s successes as well as learn from others'…
- 4.6Selfish Behavior DiscouragedCompany policy is NOT to tolerate continued selfish behavior. Examples of selfishness include: - Taking leads from other agents without asking first. - Not sharing with…
- 4.7Substance UseDrugs and alcohol, with the exception of prescription drugs necessary for you to perform your duties, are prohibited on the premises, in the workplace, or in the field…
- 4.8SmokingSmoking is not permitted on the Company premises, except in specifically designated areas outside the building, if any.Sales and training meetings are held regularly…
- 4.9Company MeetingsRed Flag meetings (mandatory) will be held, as needed, to inform the Associates of changes to the Independent Contractor Agreement, laws affecting the practice of real…
- 4.10Training Program and ScheduleTraining meetings are held regularly throughout the week via online video communication software (i.e Zoom or Google Meets). Please check the schedule on the digital…
- 4.11Office and Conference Room AppearanceThe Company, or the executive suites it works in, employs a cleaning service to do general interior cleaning of the offices on a regular basis. However, it is your…
- 4.12Conference RoomsConference rooms are available for your use for a fee. Fees vary by location and are determined by the executive suite company. They are available on a first come, first…
- 4.13Optional Desks and Private OfficesThe Company contracts with executive suites that provide conference rooms and day offices to all of its Associates on a “by appointment only” fee basis. You will not be…
- 4.14Office EquipmentThere are copiers, scanners, printers, fax machines, and other necessary office equipment for your use in each executive suite office. There is a charge to use the…
- 4.15Dress CodeBusiness or business-casual attire is a requirement when you are serving the public in real estate transactions and when representing the Company. Casual attire should…
- 4.16Eating in the Work AreaAll food and meals should be eaten only in the designated area at each office.
- 4.17ParkingThe closest parking spaces to the office are reserved for customers or clients. Please park in any other available spaces.
- 4.18Keys and Access CardsYou will not receive a door key or access card for the executive suite offices unless you lease a private office. If you do lease a private office from the executive…
- 4.19Office SecurityBy accepting a key or other means of accessing the executed suite offices or the Company’s administrative office, you are also accepting responsibility for safeguarding…
- 4.20Working at HomeIt is permissible and encouraged for you to work from your home, but not to conduct personal consultations with clients at home. Remember that the Broker is required to…
- 4.21Changes in Contact InformationAll changes in name, address, telephone numbers, email address, or other pertinent information of any Associate must be reported immediately by you to the office Manager…
- 4.22Company Supplied ItemsThe Company publishes a list of items supplied at no cost to you and items provided at a cost to you when you join. This list and the costs may be modified from time to…
- 4.23Business CardsYou will be responsible for the cost of your company business cards.
- 4.24Sign PolicyEach Associate is responsible for the purchase of their A-frames, yard signs, riders, and other on-site marketing items. Signage must be purchased from a vendor approved…
- 4.25Telephone PolicyGeneral The company utilizes a phone service to answer inbound calls during normal business hours Monday through Friday. If a caller requests a specific agent, the…
- 4.26CaravansAssociates are encouraged to participate in broker caravans in your area to familiarize yourself with the current listings on the market.
- 4.27Fees, Bonuses and CommissionsAll monies earned using your license must be made payable to the Company. This includes, but is not limited to commissions, bonuses, fees, referrals, BPO’s etc. You will…
- 4.28DeductionsAll expenses of any kind incurred by you with the Company; or incurred by the Company on your behalf, including unpaid marketing programs, CoStar dues, board dues and/or…
- 4.29Monthly Advances/DrawsIt is the Company’s policy to not pay monthly advances or draws to our salespersons or loan officers.
- 4.30Trust FundsCompany policy is to handle all trust funds with care and comply with all laws. The Company primarily maintains trust fund bank accounts for its property management…
- 4.31Trust Fund Records To Be MaintainedIf the Company maintains a trust fund bank account in a particular State, the funds in the account must be kept separate, distinct, and apart from funds belonging to the…
- 4.32Commingling & ConversionDepositing any trust funds into the Company’s operating account is prohibited and considered commingling. In the event that trust funds are mistakenly deposited into the…
- 4.33Operations Account ReconciliationThe Company shall reconcile the operations account at the end of every month. The Company will also reconcile its trust fund account(s) for property management monthly…
- 4.34Safe Work EnvironmentThe Company is committed to providing a safe work environment for its staff and salespersons. If you observe any situation or condition which could pose a health or…
- 4.35Safe DrivingYou are expected to keep your automobile in a properly maintained and safe operating condition at all times. You are responsible for damage or injury caused while…
- 4.36Personal TransactionsYou may buy or sell real property for your personal use subject to the following guidelines. A. Listings See the Agent/Loan Officer-Owned Property section of this Policy…
- 4.37Vacation/Leave Time for AssociatesThe Company encourages a balanced lifestyle and vacation. The Company does not control Associate’s time off except as noted herein. If an Associate plans to be absent…
- 4.38Extended Leaves of AbsenceThe Company will grant extended leaves of absence for only extenuating personal reasons. Discuss any request for a leave of absence with your Manager, as well as how any…
- 4.39Jury DutyJury service is a civic duty. If you are called to serve on a jury, advise your Manager and arrange with your Manager to have a fellow salesperson handle your business…
- 4.40Injury at WorkIf you are injured at work or in a work-related activity, you must report the injury to your Manager at the earliest practicable time.
- 4.41Antitrust PolicyThe Company maintains a strong policy against any antitrust involvement by the Company, its agents, or employees. Few obligations can be taken more seriously than this…
- 4.42Antitrust Guidelines RecapDo not engage in any verbal or written conversations with agents or brokers with other companies that could be construed as an antitrust violation. This includes, but is…
- 4.43Transaction Coordinators & AuditorsThe Company has approved one or more transaction coordinators (TC). A transaction coordinator can assume many roles. In this Company, the approved TC’s: - Review all…
- 4.44Risk Management and Errors & Omissions (E&O) FeeEach year, the Company shall separately establish and publish the amount to be paid by all salespersons, and the method of that payment, as a Risk Management Fee. This…
- 4.45Associate Business ExpensesYou are prohibited from obligating the Company to pay for any expenses without the prior written consent of your Manager or Broker. Any expenses relating to customers or…
- 4.46Performance Evaluations, Status Reports & Termination of Inactive AssociatesFrom time to time the Company produces performance reports to evaluate if all Associates are performing and producing income for the Company. This report serves as a…
- 4.47Associate VehicleTransportation will not be provided by the Company. In the course of real estate transactions, you must use your personal vehicle. All operating, maintenance, repair and…
