There is a responsibility on the part of the european and worldwide Real Estate industry to set out clearly the procedures which apply to both clients and agents, so that there are effective consumer safeguards in place. Cornerstone Worldwide´s Code of Ethics is a comprehensive document detailing the means by which you, the homebuyer, can safely and confidently conduct your property purchase.

This Code of Ethics applies to all our agents. staff and all colaborating agents and those who work within their companies. It is the responsibility of our collaborators to ensure that they, their staff and their agents know and understand their obligations to all parties who are covered by the conditions of this Code.

Colaborators will study this Code, pledge to observe the word and spirit of it in all of their activities, and to conduct their business in accordance with the principles set out in the following pages.

Acquiring a home overseas should be one of the most enjoyable purchases you will ever make and we want to ensure that the whole process takes place in a secure and trusting environment.

Our Code of Ethics provides a framework within which our own and collaborators staff undertake to provide a professional, ethical and fair service to everyone with whom they come into contact, whether it be vendors or buyers of overseas homes, members of the public, or other real estate companies.

It creates a higher level of protection, making a stable and transparent environment, and enables you to relax in the knowledge that you are in safe hands.

The Code has been established very simply with your best interests in mind and we ask you to take ten minutes to read the articles set out over the next few pages.

In doing so, you will understand why buying or selling through ourselves or one of our collaborators will offer you the security and peace of mind that you deserve.

A new development is a property that is currently being built, or is in the planning stages ready to begin construction. Also known as off- plan property.

Why a new development could be right up your street: If you're not ready to hand over the price of your property in one go, look at new developments. Purchase of a new development property involves a payment schedule, so you might first pay 20% as a reservation fee, then 30% throughout the construction period, then the remaining 50% on receiving the title deeds and completing. Some developers have their own mortgages to help with stage payments or we can help find you one. Payment schedules vary from country to country.

Article 1 When representing a vendor or buyer, agents themselves to protect and promote the interests of their clients. This primary obligation does not relieve the agent of the responsibility to deal fairly and honestly with all parties to the transaction.

Article 2 Agents shall avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation, or concealment of pertinent facts relating to the property or the transaction. Member Agents, however, will not be obliged to discover construction or technical faults in the property but should declare them if aware.

Article 3 Agents shall cooperate with other agents in a professional and courteous manner so as to best serve the needs of buying and selling customers.

Article 4 Agents shall hold in a client account in an appropriate financial institution, separate from their own working funds, any monies coming into their possession from purchasing clients.

Article 5 Member Agents shall disclose all information on typical costs of any transaction in a full, fair and accurate manner.

Article 6 Properties can sell quickly, and Agents pledge to keep the client informed, to the best of their knowledge, of the current status of any property about which the client may enquire.

Article 7 Agents shall introduce their clients, if requested, to a suitably qualified surveyor capable of conducting a full structural survey on a property.

Article 8 All resale properties listed on the CORNERSTONE WORLDWIDE database have a signed contract confirming the rights of the listing Agent to offer these properties for sale at the stated price.

Article 9 Agents will take all reasonable care to ensure that properties listed for sale are free of charges and encumbrances and fulfill the legal requirements for sale.

Article 10 Agents shall not acquire an interest in a property or buy or present offers from themselves, or any member of their immediate families, their firms or any member thereof, or any entities in which they have any ownership interest without making their true position known to the owner or the owner’s agent or representative. In selling property they own, or in which they have any interest, Agents shall reveal their ownership or interest in writing to the purchaser or the purchaser’s representative.

Article 11 Agents shall not offer for sale or advertise property at a price different from that agreed with the seller.

Article 12 Agents, for the protection of all parties, shall ensure that all agreements shall be in writing and shall be in clear and understandable language, expressing the specific terms, conditions, obligations and commitments of the parties. A copy of each agreement shall be furnished to each party upon their signing or initialling.

Article 13 Agents shall, prior to the signing of agreements, fully inform the signing party of all potential expenses for which they may be liable.

Article 14 Agents shall treat all information and data collected by themselves or their staff, whether regarding vendors or buyers, in accordance with current legislation regarding data protection. That obligation to preserve confidential information continues after termination of any and all business relationships. Agents shall not knowingly, during or following the termination of professional relationships with their clients:

• Reveal confidential information of clients; or
• Use confidential information of clients to the disadvantage of clients; or
• Use confidential information of clients for the Agent’s advantage or the advantage of third parties unless:
• Clients consent to full disclosure; or
• Agents are required by court order; or
• It is the intention of a client to commit a crime and the information is necessary to Prevent the crime; or
• It is necessary to defend an Agent or the Agent’s employees or agents against an accusation of wrongful conduct.

Article 15 Agents shall encourage parties to a transaction to seek independent legal and/or financial representation, and will effect an introduction to such independent sources if so requested. The provider of that professional service will speak the client’s language or a language understood by him. The client may also choose to be represented by a lawyer in his home country, and should he so decide, the client accepts responsibility for ensuring that such lawyer is competent and qualified to act in a transaction occurring within the jurisdiction of the laws the associated country.

Article 16 In the event that an Agent introduces any client, whether buying or selling, to any provider of additional or ancillary services or products, he shall endeavour at all times to ensure that the other service provider acts within both the letter and the spirit of this Code, as well as acting within legislation covering that additional or ancillary service or product.

Article 17 Agents shall ensure that the description of a property for sale is accurate and complete and fully reflects all details as provided by the vendor. They will, to the best of their ability, complete the appropriate paperwork indicating the details of the property and will diligently confirm all details with the vendor in order to provide comprehensive information to prospective clients. It is, nevertheless, the responsibility of the client at time of purchase, together with his legal representative where appropriate, to ascertain that the vendor has indeed provided true facts to the Agent.

Article 18 Agents shall present all offers and counter offers in a timely manner.Article 20 Agents have a duty to respond promptly and efficiently to all enquiries from buyers and vendors.

Article 22 Agents shall endeavour at all times to present a true picture in their advertising and representations to the public.

Article 23 The business of Agents shall be conducted in strict accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

Article 24 If charged with unethical practice or asked to present evidence or to co-operate in any other way, Agents shall place all pertinent facts before the authorised individuals or bodies.

Article 26 From time to time, Agents may offer premiums, prizes, merchandise discounts or other inducements to list, sell or purchase. However, Agents must exercise care and candour in any such advertising or other public or private representations so that any party interested in receiving or otherwise benefiting from the Agent’s offer will have clear, thorough, advance understanding of all the terms and conditions of the offer.

Article 28 Agents shall not offer directly to the members of staff of other Agents any inducements to sell property listed by them without the express permission of the employers of those members of staff.

Article 29 Agents shall not misrepresent the availability of access to show or inspect a listed property.

Professional Associations we are members of: