A new “playbook” is set to provide agents with best practice in the sunshine state.
The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) has revealed the launch of a brand-new set of best practice guidelines, aimed at creating a “distinct league of agents with best-practice accountability, professionalism, and integrity at the heart of everything they do.”
According to CEO Antonia Mercorella, the REIQ Best Practice Guidelines set the standards for compliance, behaviour and professional conduct in the state.
“As the state peak body for real estate professionals, one of our key commitments is to raise professional standards and community perceptions because we want a strong and sustainable real estate sector,” she explained.
“These guidelines address fundamental legal compliance but also go further to set standards of behaviour, ensuring that there is no doubt between the two and what we expect.
The CEO noted that real estate professionals “take on a very significant responsibility” when selling or managing property, as well as when they are acting for buyers looking for a home or commercial space.
“As a general rule, property is likely to be the most valuable asset people possess in their lifetime, and shelter is vital to all of us, so given the nature and importance of the work real estate professionals are engaged in, we want to see them held in high regard,” she commented.
Ms Mercorella said that while agents “could easily adopt these guidelines in their everyday practice”, she also said the institute would be regularly educating members in line with the standards.
In effect, “giving consumers greater confidence in choosing an REIQ agent who upholds best practice.”
She also flagged that the guidelines “were developed in consultation with the relevant governing authorities and industry leaders from each sector, ensuring that they are customised, highly practical and fit-for-purpose.”
“With user-friendly icons and links to relevant forms, footnotes to legislation, and sector specific chapters, agents can easily interpret and embed best practices into their everyday business,” she indicated.
“Whether you’re a Residential or Commercial Sales Agent or Property Manager, Buyer’s Agent, Auctioneer or Business Broker, the REIQ Best Practice Guidelines will help you stay a real step ahead by guiding you on the questions and issues you face each day.”
The REIQ advised that the guidelines would exist as a “living document” to be regularly updated to reflect legislative changes and current best practice across all sectors of the profession.
The guidelines can be found on the REIQ website.
