A recent column from the Chicago Tribune’s Mary Ellen Podmolik, “Finding out more about a real estate agent before you hire,” takes a closer look at several initiatives from the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) aimed at resolving consumer and REALTOR® disputes.

Of particular interest to consumers is IAR’s Ombudsman Program, which serves as an intermediary in disputes or questions that relate to real estate transactions. The service, which is free to consumers, allows IAR to tap the expertise of experienced real estate professionals who are trained in problem solving. Learn more. Ombudsmen have resolved 60 percent of the complaints logged so far this year, the Tribune reports.

IAR member and Champaign REALTOR® Matt Difanis is among the trained ombudsmen in the program handling consumer concerns. His role — and that of other ombudsman volunteers — is to talk to the parties involved and try to put the pieces of the puzzle together so it can be resolved to the satisfaction of both sides.Read the full column.

Consumers and REALTORS® can learn more about the Ombudsman Program and IAR’s Ethics Citation Program at www.illinoisrealtor.org/disputes.