The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is set to consider revisions to Standard of Practice 10-5 at its upcoming June 2025 Board of Directors meeting. These proposed changes aim to address longstanding concerns about the scope and enforcement of the standard, which prohibits REALTORS® from using harassing speech, hate speech, epithets, or slurs based on protected characteristics.
Since its adoption in 2020, SOP 10-5 has been criticized for potentially infringing on members’ freedom of speech, particularly in contexts unrelated to their professional real estate activities. Notably, there have been instances where REALTORS® faced disciplinary actions for expressing personal religious beliefs outside of their professional roles. For example, Wilson Fauber, a Virginia REALTOR® and ordained minister, was found in violation of SOP 10-5 after reposting a Bible verse on his personal Facebook page. The post, which supported the biblical view of marriage, led to ethics complaints and potential penalties, including fines and loss of REALTOR® membership .
These cases have sparked debates about the balance between upholding ethical standards and protecting individual rights.Critics argue that the broad application of SOP 10-5 extends beyond professional conduct, potentially policing personal beliefs and expressions. In response, the proposed revisions seek to clarify the definition of “harassment” and limit the standard’s applicability to REALTORS® acting in their professional capacity, thereby addressing concerns about overreach .
Key Takeaways:
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NAR is considering revisions to SOP 10-5 to address concerns about its scope and enforcement.
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The proposed changes aim to clarify the definition of “harassment” and limit the standard’s applicability to professional activities.
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The revisions respond to instances where REALTORS® faced disciplinary actions for personal expressions of belief.
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The outcome of the June 2025 Board of Directors meeting will determine the future direction of SOP 10-5.