Membership
Learn about different types of membership and download an application for membership.
FCBR strives to provide its members with many member benefits. Learn more about all of the tools to help you succeed included in your membership.
Keep your FCBR membership up to date. Click here for forms to request a letter of good standing, drop a broker, transfer offices and forms to update broker and office information.
The Fort Collins Board of REALTORS® Professional Standards Department offers its members and their clients a vehicle to economically expedite ethics complaints and/or arbitration requests without going to court.
Professional Standards
At FCBR, we take our commitment to professional and ethical business very seriously. Because we promise to uphold the Code of Ethics, FCBR processes ethics complaints and mediation and arbitration requests through the state association, the Colorado Association of REALTORS. Mediation services are available for Realtor® members when they find themselves in a dispute with another Realtor® as well as help your clients with mediation services for buyers and sellers who may find themselves in a dispute over earnest money or post-closing issues.
OMBUDSMEN
The ombudsman’s role is primarily one of communication and conciliation, not adjudication. Ombudsmen do not determine whether ethics violations have occurred or who is entitled to what amount of money, rather they anticipate, identify, and resolve misunderstandings and disagreements before matters ripen into disputes and possible charges of unethical conduct.
Ombudsmen can field and respond to a wide variety of inquiries and complaints, including general questions about real estate practice, transaction details, ethical practice, and enforcement issues. Ombudsmen can also receive and respond to questions and complaints about members; can contact members to inform them that a client or customer has raised a question or issue; and can contact members to obtain information necessary to provide an informed response.
In cases where an ombudsman believes that a failure of communication is the basis for a question or complaint, the ombudsman can arrange a meeting of the parties and facilitate a mutually acceptable resolution.
Right to Decline Ombudsman Services: While ombudsman services are available to attempt to informally resolve complaints members and the public may decline ombudsman services. Their complaints are then referred to the proper resource for processing.
Confidentiality of Ombudsman Process: The allegations, discussions and decisions made in ombudsman proceedings are confidential.
MEDIATION SERVICES
Mediation is a form of facilitated negotiation in which an impartial third party attempts to help disputing parties reach a mutually satisfactory solution. FCBR offers our members the opportunity to use mediation to resolve conflicts, and we ensure that the process is fair, flexible and confidential. There are numerous benefits to choosing mediation. Because the mediation process is collaborative, not adversarial, it can help resolve issues while preserving positive relationships between all parties. Additionally, mediation often takes far less time and money than formal litigation. The goal of a successful mediation is to have both parties come to a mutual agreement in writing upon the mediation’s conclusion. Once the agreement is signed, parties are legally bound to abide by its terms.
ARBITRATION SERVICES
Realtors® agree as a condition of membership to arbitrate contractual disputes and specific non-contractual disputes as provided for in Article 17 of the NAR Code of Ethics. Arbitration is available to FCBR members.
ETHICS COMPLAINTS
The Code of Ethics ensures that Realtors® work to a higher level of professionalism by outlining industry standards and expectations. This process helps our members, clients, and the industry by protecting Realtors® who adhere to principled practices and dealing formally with those who do not.
Resources:
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
NAR’s professional standards policies include a defined process of checks and balances to protect members and evaluate potential Code violations. This presentation describes the process. Click Here
