In the late 19th century, Webster’s Dictionary defined integrity not only as “moral soundness” or “correctness,” but also as “correctness in mutual transactions, especially in the transfer of property,” a memorable phrase rarely seen today.
Just imagine. More than a century ago, even the dictionary recognized that real estate, or the transfer of property, was one of the greatest tests of a person’s integrity. And here we are in 2025, with trust damaged and public perception shaken in our industry, and professionals across the country fighting to restore their reputations and value.
If ever there was a time to bring integrity back to the forefront, it’s now.
Why integrity is more important now than ever
The NAR settlement, litigation, negativity in the media, and confusion over buyer representation have created a fog of mistrust.
Many consumers don’t understand this process, don’t trust it, or don’t trust internal experts. But this is the truth. Integrity cuts through the fog, restores clarity, and enhances professionalism. When you operate with integrity, you’re not just protecting your transactions; you’re protecting your name, your career, your future, and most importantly, your consumer experience.
What is integrity?
Being morally sound means that your character is structurally sound, not lacking, compromised, or hollow.
Think of integrity as the internal structural beams of your home. You can’t always see the beam. It doesn’t advertise itself. However, if the beams are weak, the entire structure will collapse. A strong beam is the same as a strong house. Strong integrity equals a strong career.
Where integrity breaks down
One big fall usually doesn’t cause a loss of integrity. Small things erode it, such as saying you have a buyer when there isn’t one, raising the price of your product just to get a buyer, telling the seller what you want to hear instead of what they need to hear, and not letting the buyer sign a buyer agency agreement.
What are some examples of failures? Cutting corners because “no one will notice.” Talking bad about a competitor to gain an advantage Being late and justifying it Not answering a promised phone call.
Every small crack weakens the beam. Every small compromise costs trust. Every little slip causes the entire industry to decline bit by bit.
8 Practical Tips to Restore Your Realtor’s Integrity
1. Tell the truth before you get comfortable.
Integrity is telling the truth even when it’s inconvenient. It means tactfully telling the seller, audibly, that their price expectations are unrealistic. That means explaining professional fees clearly and early, especially to buyers in the post-clearance world. That means being transparent about market conditions, even when it may prevent action. Comfortable truths build friendships. Uncomfortable truths build trust.
2. Replace scripts honestly
Consumers don’t want a script, they want a human. Yes, let’s learn dialogue. Yes, study the presentation. However, when speaking to clients, speak like a fiduciary, not a salesperson. If you are honest, your integrity will be visible.
3. Document everything
Integrity favors documentation. This could be a buyer agency agreement, a fee agreement, a presentation of disclosures, an email summarizing the conversation, or a written confirmation of any advice or concerns. Documentation not only protects you, but also proves your professional integrity. When people see you documenting, they know that you take your responsibilities seriously.
4. Stop overpromising
This is one of the quickest ways to lose trust in a real estate professional. Instead of promising results, promise effort. We don’t guarantee timelines, we guarantee communication. Instead of claiming certainty, claim commitment. Clients don’t need superheroes. You need someone you can trust.
5. Respect property as if it were your own.
This leads directly to the historical definition of “correctness in the transfer of property.” Don’t exaggerate your features. Don’t hide your flaws.
Don’t withhold information you know is important. Don’t present selective data to drive decisions. Your job is not to win a listing or sale. It’s about guiding people to make the biggest financial decisions of their lives.
6. Do the right thing when no one is looking
At the heart of integrity is what you do in your private life: how you talk about clients behind closed doors, how you manage personal information, how you treat cooperating agents, how you handle disputes, and how you act when money is at stake. Don’t forget about the beam. The strongest beams are also powerful where you can’t see them.
7. Respect language (or communicate if you can’t)
Your words are your bond and the currency of not only your commitments to clients, but your entire career.
“I’ll call you later” or “I’ll send it tonight” are all microcommitments. Most agents treat these as casual remarks. Honest professionals treat them as verbal contracts.
If you can’t do what you promised, contact us before the breach, not after. Don’t lose your client’s trust just because you’re busy. Trust is lost because promises disappear into silence. Honor your words and your career will be strengthened.
8. Employ this guiding question.
Ask yourself, “If this conversation were recorded and played publicly, would I be proud of how I responded?” If the answer is yes, then you are operating with integrity. If the answer is no, then you need to readjust something.
Integrity is not a brand position. it’s a daily practice
You can’t sell integrity. you have to live it. You cannot declare sincerity. You have to prove it. You can’t take shortcuts with integrity. You have to build integrity one decision at a time. Just as a house stands because its beams are strong, a career stands because its character is sound.
Strengthening your integrity will not only help you rebuild your business, but the reputation of your entire industry. Because real estate doesn’t need more scripts, slogans, or shiny tools. We need more beams. More healthy. More and more professionals are rising above the noise with clarity, courage, and moral strength.
We need you at your best.
Darryl Davis is the CEO of Darryl Davis Seminars. Connect with him on Facebook and YouTube.
