Dispute Resolution

Realtors®/Commissions

Dispute Resolution Options for Realtors®

PMAR offers you a variety of options to resolve conflicts that arise from real estate transactions.

Mediation

Participation in mediation is voluntary and is provided at no cost to PMAR members. PMAR has a select group of Principal Brokers that have been trained to serve as Mediation Officers and follow procedures as described in the National Association of Realtors® Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual.

Mediation is an attempt to bring the disputing parties together in an informal setting to resolve their differences. The parties may agree to a mutual resolution of the matter or withdraw from the process at any time during the mediation conference. Any offers of settlement that were not accepted or any suggested resolution proposed by the Mediation Officer that was not accepted will not be introduced as evidence nor considered in any manner should the matter require arbitration. However, if the parties agree to a settlement of the dispute, and the settlement has been reduced to writing and has been signed by all the parties, the matter is deemed resolved and cannot be the subject of a subsequent arbitration hearing.

Disputed amount must be a minimum of $1,000.00 and Principal Brokers must participate in the process unless the disputants are or were affiliated with the same firm.

Arbitration

Realtors® are obligated to submit to arbitration their commission disputes between brokerages in accordance with Article 17 of the Realtors® Code of Ethics. Arbitration hearings are conducted by the PMAR Professional Standards Committee following procedures described in the National Association of Realtors® Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual.

The hearing panel, after hearing testimony, will render a decision and shall state only the amount of the award. The Award of Arbitrators is valid and binding and shall not be subject to review or appeal. However, a party to an arbitration proceeding may appeal to the Board of Directors only with respect to such alleged irregularities occurring in the conduct of the proceeding as may have deprived the party of fundamental “due process.”

Disputed amount must be a minimum of $1,000.00, and Principal Brokers must participate in the process (unless the disputants are or were affiliated with the same firm, which would constitute a voluntary arbitration). The Request and Agreement to Arbitrate must be filed within 180 days after closing, if any, or within 180 days after the facts constituting the arbitrable matter could have been known in the exercise of reasonable diligence. Mediation of the matter may also be requested, however, requesting mediation has no bearing on the 180-day timeframe requirement for arbitration. The filing fee for arbitration is $250.00 per party and is retained until the conclusion of the hearing. The filing fee of the prevailing party is customarily returned.

For more information, email PMAR Professional Standards Administrator Diana Colin or call 503-459-2156.