On June 23rd, the Township of Toms River passed a revision to Ordinance Chapter 391, which covers Peddling and Soliciting, as well as Neighborhood Canvassing. The Ocean County Board of REALTORS® is the local trade association that represents local REALTORS®, and is dedicated to the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.
REALTORS® are no longer 19th century peddlers—REALTORS® are professionals who follow a strict Code of Ethics. Every article of the Code is based on the vision to better serve the public, and all REALTORS® use the code as the means to achieve that goal. All member, boards, or associations of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) are required to both maintain and enforce the NAR Code of Ethics with respect to the business practices of all members. All real estate professionals must take continuing education credits every two years in order to remain up to date on current real estate topics, including ethics, legal issues, and fair housing.
Not only do REALTORS® have a strict Code of Ethics that must be followed, but there are also rules for professionalism set forth by NAR. When communicating with members of the public or other real estate professionals regarding the real estate business, REALTORS® must identify their professional status as a REALTOR®. When a REALTOR® does not or refuses to identify their professional status, the agent is then breaching the Code of Ethics by conveying inaccurate information.
Homeowners can enroll in a “no-knock” registry, which will protect the homeowner against any door-to-door solicitation. Any homeowner who has already enrolled in the “no-knock registry” prior to the revision will be protected against real estate canvassing as well. REALTORS® already conform to all laws of the land, state real estate law, and state regulatory real estate commission rules and regulations, which include the National Do Not Call, Do Not Fax laws, the CAN-SPAM Act, as well as any law that regulates solicitation.
In addition to the “no-knock” registry, attempting to pressure or influence property owners to sell or lease property by referring to the race, color, sexual orientation, or other protected class is already prohibited under the Federal Fair Housing Act. Attempting to convince someone to sell or lease their property by representing that the presence of persons of any particular race, religion or national origin in the area might lead to lower property values, a change in racial, religious, or ethnic composition of the area, an increase in crime, or decline in the quality of schools is also prohibited under the Federal Fair Housing Act.
If anyone suspects a REALTOR® of violating the revised ordinance or the NAR Code of Ethics, please contact the Ocean County Board of REALTORS® at (732) 244-8111. The office is open from 9am to 4:30pm Mondays through Fridays, and Ombudsman requests can also be done from www.oceancountyrealtors.org.
[TLS – Press Release]
I’ve never heard of such a strange ordinance in any other town in the USA before. What prompted this??
live in Lakewood or Jackson and you would know what prompted the ordinance.
I don’t see why that is a “response” by the Board, more like a rollover.
Fact is that WORLWIDE there are Realtors canvassing neighbooods looking for Listings, and homes for their clients. It’s a way of frankly making a personal connection, and building contacts in the area. Realtors who don’t have the tact and experience and frankly the brains to
realize their objective is to make friends and make a good impression to potential clients, should not be in the business and lead to something like this happening. As an aside, the same way there are For Sale By Owners out there looking to sell above market , there are buyers looking for a deal approaching homeowners and saying stupid things and thinking they stand to gain as well. That is what I believe this really comes from, as were a Realtor to tell someone he can get them $50,000 more for their house, that homeowner won’t be complaining…..
Lastly, how do homeowner’s in Toms River who have their homes already listed feel about Lakewood Realtors bringing over Buyers? Trust me they love it
It’s funny, the orthodox community has the lowest murder rate, lowest violent crime rate, lowest domestic violence rate, lowest petty burglary rate and the list goes on. Over the last couple of years we hear stories about letters and petitions going around about how areas will be destroyed if “they” (a.k.a Hassidics) move to our area. My family moved to Lakewood in the 60’s and what I observed is that the real estate prices only went up…..when the recession hit the entire nation, one small town was barely hit in the real estate markets downturn. I reside in one of the neighboring towns and have received multiple letters from realtors who are not from the orthodox community and also got a knock on the door….in my opinion it’s more masked hatred and misunderstand than the bother of all the so called “solicitation”
Why would people be canvassing a neighborhood? And who just walks up to someone’s door and asks them if they want to sell their home? If people want to move they put up a for sale sign…I live in toms river and I’m happy out town is watching out for us, no one wants to be harassed to sell their home.
To Big Mike #1 This ordinance is not unique and was established after an out of town solicitor convinced their way into the home of an elderly Toms River Resident and murdered her. This is a great ordinance and stopped many of the nuisance knocks that residents were receiving including trucks pulling onto the street from out of state trying to sell furniture etc..
To in the know..I believe your wrong on the toms river people loving a Lakewood realtor bringing people in to buy homes, look what’s happened to brick, all the riff raft of Lakewood has been pushed there now they have the crime and drug issues Lakewood once had.