Absolute sales.  Reserve bids.  Hidden reserves.  Vendor bidders.

A recent article in the Sarasota Herald Tribune commented on the use of such arcane terminology in the auction process, and how unethical real estate firms have employed them to keep the rules of engagement hidden from buyers.  The article summed it up by saying, “buyer beware.”

The shenanigans of some unscrupulous realtors that were reported in that article so upset me that I needed to respond unequivocally:  every one of us at SKY Sotheby’s is disgusted by such practices.

Someone once said:  “If you have integrity, nothing else matters.  If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters.”  That succinctly sums up our philosophy.

Integrity - honesty in all our dealings with our clients - is the foundation of our business.  And these aren’t just words:  it is how we conduct ourselves every day.

To ensure we hire only people of character, we have standards of performance that all job applicants must pass before we offer them a position at our firm.  Criteria they must meet include:

• Work as a full-time realtor:  When the real estate market was hot, many individuals jumped in; when the market cooled, many left for greener pastures.

We work only with individuals who are completely committed to our profession.  This shows they are serious about the business of real estate.

• Top performers:  All applicants must have been in the top 10% of realtors for the past 12 months at their previous agency.  It is extraordinarily difficult to be a successful realtor and to engage in unethical practices for a prolonged period.  Word of mouth cuts both ways, shadowing the dishonest and helping the honest.

• Significant transactions:  The average transaction for each applicant must be $750K or greater.  This shows us that they understand the nuances of the luxury real estate market.

Most important - and most difficult to quantify - we hire only people who share our values.  That means that every one of the 72 realtors at SKY Sotheby’s adheres to the highest ethical standards.

To sum it up succinctly, all of us pattern ourselves after Google’s motto:  “Do No Evil.”

As for auctions, we believe that they are an appropriate tool for select clients - in particular, ones who want an accelerated method to sell their homes in a predetermined time, and are willing to let bidders drive prices.  Demanding times like these demand innovative strategies, and we make use of different tactics in order to meet our clients’ unique needs.

Should I ever have the privilege to represent your property at an auction, you have my word that the process will be ethical and transparent.  And that’s a promise you can bank on.