The Columbus Board of REALTORS® (CBR) has adopted voluntary mediation as an alternative method for resolving disputes. As a voluntary alternative, mediation is strongly encouraged but not mandatory.

Who May Mediate?
Any REALTOR®, client or customer entitled to invoke CBR’s arbitration facilities may also use CBR’s mediation service.

What is Mediation?
Mediation is a form of facilitated negotiation, conducted in a more informal setting, by which a trained and experienced third party helps the disputing parties to reach a mutually acceptable resolution.

What are the Advantages of Mediation?

• Mediation enables the parties to determine promptly whether there is a possibility of settling the dispute.
• Mediation saves time.
• Mediation can salvage relationships.
• Since both parties consent to the mediation, the ultimate solution is in the hands of the parties - rather than a hearing panel.

How Can I Obtain CBR’s Service of Mediation?
Once both parties have notified CBR of their willingness to mediate, one of CBR’s mediators will contact them. The mediator will arrange for a time that is convenient to both parties to come to the CBR office for the mediation.

If an agreement is reached through mediation, both parties will be asked to sign a written agreement, and $200 of each party’s $250 arbitration fee will be refunded. Failure to reach agreement through mediation will not be considered by a hearing panel during any subsequent arbitration hearing.