Growing up, I heard my parents say there was a right way of doing things, and a wrong one. Maybe it’s because I’d lose my allowance when I acted up (which prompted me to straighten up!), but their instilling this in me stuck with me through adulthood. And doing the right thing applies to every profession, from being a pizza delivery boy (my very first job) to being a real estate agent.

In an industry like real estate that is so personal, professionalism is crucial and extends to one another, agent to agent. We all know agents who we don’t want to work with again! The bar must be constantly raised, and that begins with setting client expectations and stressing the value of the partnership between the agent and the client.

In our cover story, we explore what it takes to be a great real estate agent in 2020. We speak to experts who provide insight into not only the professional guidelines set forth by associations and the state, but also agents themselves who give the do’s and don’ts of real estate professionalism 101.

Whether you’re a seasoned agent or just starting out, there’s always something to be learned while on the job. I hope you learn something new in this issue, and I’d love to hear your thoughts at will.mendelson@agentpublishing.com.