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llustration by Lanette Behiry/Real Estate News
The debate over NAR's speech code has sparked a discussion about freedom of expression versus the need to protect consumers from hate speech. While some argue that limiting speech infringes on Realtors' rights, it is essential to recognize that our profession demands a higher standard of ethics and accountability.
Just as medical professionals cannot spread misinformation and lawyers cannot lie in court, Realtors must adhere to a code of conduct that prioritizes the well-being and safety of those we serve. Hate speech has no place in real estate, where our work impacts lives, wealth, safety, and community.
Membership in NAR is not a constitutional guarantee but an application process with clear rules and expectations. The organization's Code of Ethics sets standards for Realtors, including Standard of Practice 10-5, which prohibits harassing or hateful speech based on various protected characteristics.
However, lawmakers in Texas are pushing to erode these standards by introducing State Bill 2713, which would outlaw professional codes that protect consumers from discriminatory conduct. This legislation is part of a broader trend of targeting vulnerable populations and ignoring the industry's history of exclusion and systemic harm.
Real estate has a well-documented history of racism, discrimination, and exclusionary practices. NAR only updated its Code of Ethics in 1972 to acknowledge the wrongness of discrimination, eight years after the Civil Rights Act. Today, disparities persist, with Black Americans lagging behind white Americans in homeownership by nearly 30 points.
The industry's legacy of harm is still felt today, and it's essential that we draw a line between free speech and the right to live safely and equally. The next decade of homebuyers will be majority diverse, and if we fail to create an inclusive environment, we risk losing credibility and business.
Research shows that inclusive organizations outperform their peers by over 35%, and community trust is linked to GDP growth and civic stability. The real estate industry must choose between evolving and eroding its standards. History will remember which side we stood on.
