Columbus Board of REALTORS®

The Columbus Board of REALTORS^® is a not-for-profit trade organization that holds its members to a higher standard of practice—REALTOR^® Code of Ethics—which ultimately distinguishes our REALTORS^® from the average “Real Estate Agent.”

CBOR Members also enjoy membership in the Georgia Association of REALTORS^® and National Association of REALTORS^®. This provides access to numerous state and national resources.

CBOR Members support the protection of private property rights, strive to enhance the public perception of REALTORS^® through community involvement and education, and give the utmost dedication to professionalism, which will always serve as the foundation for our success.

The Real Estate Board is to the Real Estate profession what the Bar Association is to the lawyer and the Medical Association is to the doctor. It is a force for good. It is a force for the betterment of its practitioners and the public they serve. In such an association there are crystallized the rules of conduct, the guides and standards of stern discipline, which proclaim to the community the sense of integrity and the high qualities and ideals which you demand and which characterize the service of men of good will engaged in an honorable profession.

— Justice Frankenthaler of the New York Supreme Court

Not every licensed real estate agent is a REALTOR^®. Ask your agent, “Are you a REALTOR^®?”

REALTORS^® work to protect your investment!

Only REALTORS^®, not licensees, are fighting right now to preserve the federal Mortgage Interest Deduction on first and second homes. REALTORS^® are the only voice in Washington protecting your investment, preserving private property rights, and defending the American Dream of Homeownership.

REALTORS^® excel in production! 90% of the top fifty real estate firms in Georgia are REALTORS^®.

• REALTORS^® add value to the real estate transaction.
• REALTORS^® are the most trusted resource for real estate information, and most home buyers and sellers rely on REALTORS^® for guidance when it comes to navigating the intricacies of a real estate transaction.
• Working with a REALTOR^® gives buyers, sellers, and investors the advantage they need to succeed in today’s market. REALTORS^® help people buy and sell hundreds, if not thousands, of homes over the course of their careers.
• REALTORS^® know what matters to buyers and sellers in your area. They have the expertise and experience to help sellers protect their investment and help buyers build theirs.
• REALTORS^® understand local market conditions and can leverage that knowledge to help their clients reach their real estate goals.
• A vast majority of today’s home buyers and sellers know that working with a REALTOR^® is a smart move in itself—more than four out of five recent home buyers and sellers used a real estate professional in recent transactions.
• Consumers who have worked with a REALTOR^® are sold—nine out of 10 buyers and eight out of 10 sellers said they would use the same agent again or recommend that agent to others.
• Not all real estate licensees are REALTORS^®. Only members of the National Association of REALTORS^® can call themselves REALTORS^®.
• REALTORS^® subscribe to NAR’s strict Code of Ethics as a condition of membership. Buyers and sellers who work with a REALTOR^® are assured of the protections the Code affords.
• REALTORS^® have access to educational opportunities and training in real estate specialties that are not available to other licensees.
• REALTORS^® represent all types of real estate clients: buyers, sellers, investors, landlords, and tenants.
• There are REALTORS^® who specialize in commercial real estate.

The term REALTOR^® is not a generic term; it is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a licensed real estate professional who is a member of NAR. The term REALTOR^® is NOT synonymous with “real estate agent.”

There are more than 3 million licensed real estate professionals in the U.S., but only 1.2 million are members of NAR. REALTORS^® work in both residential and commercial real estate as brokers, salespeople, property managers, appraisers, counselors, and others engaged in all aspects of the real estate industry.

Today’s typical home sale involves as many as 20 steps to complete the transaction. REALTORS^® work through the real estate transaction process daily and understand how it affects the interests of their clients and customers. REALTORS^® know how to position a home for sale, negotiate contract terms, manage inspections, and ensure a smooth settlement.

REALTORS^® take ethics training at least once every four years to retain their membership. NAR adopted its Code of Ethics in 1913 and was only the second trade or business group in the United States to adopt mandatory ethical standards.

NAR offers advanced educational opportunities to its members that allow REALTORS^® to offer a more diverse array of services with such accredited sub-specialties as buyer’s representation (ABR^®), residential real estate expertise (CRS^®), Internet readiness (e-PRO^®), and senior housing issues (SRES^®).

Through membership in NAR’s affiliated institutes, societies, and councils, REALTORS^® stay abreast of the most recent trends in their fields, remain well-informed of industry developments in their specialized areas, and address industry issues more effectively.

New Committee Sign-Up Form

Affiliate Membership David Hickox, Chair (dhickox@kw.com)

Solicit applicants for Affiliate Membership with the Board and promote the value of REALTOR® Membership.

Awards / Recognitions Kia Chambers, Chair (kiachambers1@gmail.com)

Review/recommend to the Board of Directors any changes needed to the annual awards criteria.  Review nominations and select recipients for annual awards given in March.  Including: Rookie of the Year, REALTOR® of the Year, George Rowell Golden Rule, Community Service, Special Service, and Affiliate of the Year.

Budget/Finance Howard Jefferson, Chair (howard.jefferson@coldwellbanker.com)

Establishes the annual budget for the Board and MLS, and addresses any other budgetary or financial issues throughout the year as needed.

Bylaws Charmaine Crabb, Chair (ckcrabb@gmail.com)

Reviews the Board Bylaws, making recommendations to the Board of Directors for revisions and amendments to the Bylaws.

Circle of Excellence Tracy Dean, Chair (tracynorrisdean@gmail.com)

Review all COE application criteria and recommend to the Board of Directors any revisions. Host Circle of Excellence Orientations (if applicable). Communicate with applicants on any issues or questions. Select recognition gifts (if any); coordinate the recognition program held at the Annual Awards Luncheon.

Commercial Lamar Fields, Chair (plfields54@gmail.com)

Exchange ideas, problems, solutions and listing information of commercial properties in the Columbus and surrounding areas; to recommend Commercial-related classes to the Education Committee; to coordinate with Circle of Excellence Chair on criteria and recognitions for Commercial Circle of Excellence.

Communications / Public Relations Kia Chambers, Chair (kiachambers1@gmail.com)

Positively promote the Association through media sources, disseminate event information and community involvement to GAR, NAR, and local news media within guidelines established by the Board of Directors.

Cultural Diversity Anthony Montgomery, Chair (Anthony.montgomery@kpdd.com)

Develops and recommends educational and awareness opportunities to promote equal opportunity in housing and diversity within the real estate industry.

Entertainment Verronica Smith, Chair (verronicakfv@gmail.com)

Plans, promotes and oversees all Board-approved social functions (i.e. All Ages Easter Egg Hunt, Annual Christmas Party, Adult Trunk or Treat).

GARPAC Jerry Tucker, Chair (jerry.tucker@kpdd.com)

Charged with the duty of raising funds for GARPAC, promote the understanding of the GARPAC committee, host annual events to assist in the collection of investments, strive to meet or exceed GAR’s annual investment goals, participate in recognition of GARPAC investors annually.

Leadership Academy Evelyn Forston, Chair (ERealtor@yahoo.com)

Plans, organizes and promotes CBOR Leadership academy to include the application process, content and programming of sessions and recruitment of applicants for participation in the program.

Legislative and Political Steve Register, Chair (sregister@bickerstaffparham.com) Julie Quigley, Co-Chair (julieq@thewoodruffco.com)

Keeps all members advised of all proposed changes in the Federal and State laws affecting the real estate industry.  Encourage open communication with local, state, and federal government officials and attend city meetings when necessary.  Furnish GAR’s congressional GARPAC trustees and NAR FPCs, districts 2&3, with input on local candidates and issues when applicable.

MLS (Multiple Listing Service) Danny Amberson, Chair (danny@amberson.com) Steve Register, Co-Chair (sregister@bickerstaffparham.com)

Makes decisions regarding the rules, regulations, fees, and operation of the Multiple Listing Service.

Nominating & Election Jerry Tucker, Chair (jerry.tucker@kpdd.com)

Appointed by the president and approved by the Board of Directors. Refer to By-laws Section 4-A, 4C.

Professional Development (Education)  Mary Bucklew, Chair (mary@showtimerealty.net)

Plans, organizes and promotes all educational classes and seminars.

Programs Jerry Tucker, Chair (jerry.tucker@kpdd.com)

Plan and schedule the programs for the Columbus Board of REALTORS® luncheons. (Including contact the speaker, forward the appropriate information to Association Executive for the luncheon agenda and send a thank you letter after the luncheon).

Property Management Donna Gates, Chair (donnaloveshomes@gmail.com)

Provides a forum for those involved in Property Management to network and share information about Property Management issues and concerns around the Columbus area.

R.E.A.C.H. (REALTORS® Extending a Caring Hand) Lisa Scully, Chair (thosescullyslisa@gmail.com)

Plans, organizes and manages events and/or projects that support and benefit our surrounding community.

Young Professionals Network (YPN) Hannah Bloodworth, Chair (hannah@johnbunnrealty.com)  

Provides a forum for new REALTORS® to network and learn together as they advance in their careers as REALTORS®.

Before You File an Ethics Complaint

Boards and Associations of REALTORS® are responsible for enforcing the REALTOR® Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics imposes duties above and in addition to those imposed by law or regulation which apply only to real estate professionals who choose to become REALTORS®.

Many difficulties between real estate professionals (whether REALTORS® or not) result from misunderstanding, miscommunication, or lack of adequate communication. If you have a problem with a real estate professional, you may want to speak with them or with a principal broker in the firm. Open, constructive discussion often resolves questions or differences, eliminating the need for further action.

If, after taking these steps, you still feel you have a grievance, you may want to consider filing an ethics complaint. You will want to keep in mind that…

*Only REALTORS® and REALTOR-Associates® are subject to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of REALTORS®.

*If the real estate professional (or the broker) you are dealing with is not a REALTOR®, your only recourse may be the state real estate licensing authority or the courts.

*Boards and Associations of REALTORS® determine whether the Code of Ethics has been violated, not whether the law or real estate regulations have been broken. Those decisions can only be made by the licensing authorities or the courts.

*Boards of REALTORS® can discipline REALTORS® for violating the Code of Ethics. Typical forms of discipline include attendance at courses and seminars designed to increase

*REALTORS®’ understanding of the ethical duties or other responsibilities of real estate professionals. REALTORS® may also be reprimanded, fined, or their membership can be suspended or terminated for serious or repeated violations. Boards and Associations of REALTORS® cannot require REALTORS® to pay money to parties filing ethics complaints; cannot award “punitive damages” for violations of the Code of Ethics; and cannot suspend or revoke a real estate professional’s license.

*The primary emphasis of discipline for ethical lapses is educational, to create a heightened awareness of and appreciation for the duties the Code imposes. At the same time, more severe forms of discipline, such as fines and suspension and termination of membership may be imposed for serious or repeated violations.

Click here to read more about the process of filing an ethics complaint.