While I agree that compulsory accreditation is the major step forward in the betterment of realtors, we have to stride the delicate balance of dependence on legislative backing to do this and for the industry's representatives to rise to the occasion and self-regulate.

I personally applaud SAEA in its initiative to accredit both agency and realtors since 2006 in this regard. Yet we must also not think that accreditation or certification is the panacea to the problems of unethical, unprofessional and, at times, even fraudulent conduct that we encounter with realtors today.

Of course, the present real estate market hype could have seen more 'fly by night' realtors interested only in the short-term gains and their unprofessional acts have thus tarnished the image of the occupation as a whole. The comfort is, in the long haul, these opportunist realtors would not be around.

In the meantime, I have some suggestions for the public in their choice of realtors:

(a) Engage a realtor who is personally accredited by SAEA and/or whose firm he or she works for is an accredited agency of SAEA. Alternatively, engage a realtor who is a member of IEA or SISV;

(b) Engage a realtor who has passed CEHA (Common Examination For Housing Agents). Though not necessarily an indicator of professionalism, a CEHA-qualified realtor does provide a certified level of real estate knowledge and competence which the public can rely on;

(c) Engage a realtor from a reputable firm. Established firms have recruitment policies benchmarked on industry values and sound practices.

(d) Request the realtor to show a copy of his Professional Indemnity (PI) Insurance. This demonstrates that the realtor is serious about his profession as a career;

(e) Perform a verification and reference check on the realtor to confirm his active status in the firm he or she claims he or she works in; and

(f) Use a realtor referred by word of mouth from reliable sources such as friends, family members or colleagues.

Engaging a realtor is a choice to be made by sellers and buyers. Again, it is not compulsory to engage a realtor but it does provide convenience and brings the relevant competence of the field to a property transaction involving substantive sums of money.

Hence, I believe that the public must exercise diligence and care in choosing the services of a realtor regardless of accreditation or certification. The responsibility belongs to the sellers and buyers who are also paying for the realtor's services.

Dr Tan Tee Khoon