Professional Memberships & Ethics Policy

Last Updated: 05 November 2025

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Villas al Sol operates as a buyer’s agency on the Costa Blanca. This policy sets out the memberships, registrations, ethical standards, and operating procedures that govern our work.

1) Purpose

This policy defines how Villas al Sol applies professional memberships and legal registrations to real estate practice in Spain. It establishes the rules we follow in representation, disclosure, documentation, and accountability.

2) Scope

This policy covers all activity conducted by Villas al Sol and by its principal, team members, and contracted representatives when acting for buyers of real estate in Spain.

3) Memberships & Registrations

• REALTOR® membership: Villas al Sol is a REALTOR® member through the Spanish International Realty Alliance (SIRA), official partner of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) in Spain.
• COAPI Alicante: API Nº 1197 (Caroline Bjälstam).
• RAICV: Registro de Agentes de Intermediación de la Comunidad Valenciana, Nº 0122.

4) Ethical Framework

Villas al Sol follows the REALTOR® Code of Ethics and the SIRA ethical framework. We apply these standards as operational rules in every engagement:

• Duties to clients: Advance the buyer’s interests while treating all parties honestly.
• Material facts: Avoid misrepresentation and omission. Communicate relevant property information clearly.
• Written agreements: Draft, review, and store documents with accuracy and traceability.
• Confidentiality: Protect client information and use it only for the agreed purpose.

5) Representation Model

• Buyer-only representation: Villas al Sol represents buyers exclusively and does not represent both sides of a sale.
• Conflicts of interest: Identify, disclose, and remove conflicts. Decline instructions when a conflict cannot be removed.
• Compensation: Disclose the compensation structure in writing before representation begins.

6) Operating Procedure

Each instruction follows a documented sequence:

1. Engagement: Define scope, objectives, budget, and communication channels in writing.
2. Search & Shortlist: Survey the market, including off-market opportunities where available, and present options with rationale.
3. Verification: Coordinate title checks and legal review with qualified professionals selected by the buyer.
4. Negotiation: Lead negotiation strategy and record offers, counteroffers, and outcomes.
5. Contract & Completion: Align documentation, conditions, and timelines. Track milestones until final signature and handover.
6. Records: Keep a clear audit trail of communications and documents for the life of the file and in line with retention rules.

7) Accuracy, Disclosure & Communication

• Accuracy: Base guidance on verified information. Identify assumptions when information remains pending.
• Disclosure: Share relevant facts known to us about properties, processes, and risks.
• Updates: Provide timely status updates and confirm key decisions in writing.

8) Education & Competence

Villas al Sol completes ongoing education delivered through SIRA/NAR programs and local professional bodies. Training covers ethics, cross-border transaction management, anti-money-laundering controls, and changes in applicable practice rules.

9) Accountability & Verification

• Identity: Villas al Sol operates under COAPI Alicante (API Nº 1197) and RAICV 0122.
• Memberships: REALTOR® membership through SIRA frames our ethical discipline and buyer-only model.
• Display: We display the API and RAICV numbers on our website and materials.

10) Complaints & Resolution

1. Report: Send a written description of the issue, the parties involved, and the outcome sought.
2. Review: We acknowledge receipt, appoint a reviewer, and assess the file and communications.
3. Outcome: We issue a written response that sets out findings and corrective actions, where applicable.
4. Escalation: Where a matter falls within a professional body’s competence, we direct parties to the relevant procedure.

11) Data & Confidentiality

We handle client data in line with our Privacy Policy. We restrict access to case materials to personnel who need it to perform representation tasks.

12) Policy Governance

• Owner: The principal of Villas al Sol maintains and enforces this policy.
• Review cycle: We review this policy at least annually or when regulations, codes, or registrations change.
• Version control: We log changes with date, editor, and summary of updates.

Contact

Villas al Sol
Carrer Riu Duero, 4, 03580 l’Alfàs del Pi, Alicante, Spain
+34 618 069 690 · info@villasalsol.com

Credentials: COAPI Alicante (API Nº 1197) · RAICV 0122 · REALTOR® & SIRA Membership