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Open Letter to Internet Buyers and Sellers

Dear Mr/Ms/Mrs Internet Buyer and/or Seller:

I love receiving your inquiries via email. I pride myself on providing a lot of information on my website and my blogsite and it makes me quite happy to hear from you as you educate yourself on buying or selling a home in Charlotte NC or the metro area!

However, I have to tell all of you (and just like everything else in life, everyone seems to get chastised for the misbehavior of just one person!). I'm NOT going to break the Code of Ethics or the rules and laws of the North Carolina Real Estate Commission for you.

In your eyes, it's just a question. But you told me that you already have an agent, and you already have a contract on a property...and that means that if I were to entertain your question or answer it, I would be violating all kinds of rules, laws, and ethics. If I answer your questions, then there are many folks who would deem me to be interfering with your agent relationship.

You responded that all you wanted was 'a simple Yes or No about the value of xxx property.' But I can't answer that question. If you want my advice, I have to be the one agent you've hired.

Getting snippy with me that I'm not answering isn't going to get me to answer your questions any faster. I am NOT going to break the rules for you or for anyone else!!! Put my license on the line for someone I've never met and who didn't retain my services in the first place? Hell no.

If you have not yet contracted with an agent, I'm delighted to help. I'll share with you as much information as I have to help you make an informed decision. I don't push people and I don't 'sell' anything-I consult as to specific real estate needs whether you're an investor, buyer, or seller. Hoarding of information is something that I think of as a fossilized approach to real estate.

But it's not 'hoarding information' to refuse to answer a question that you ought not to be asking in the first place. Consult the agent you hired or fire them and THEN ask me. Until then, respect my desire to be honorable.

Thanks again for visiting me online, I hope you like what you learn and I'm always ready to help! I'm way too busy to pester you but never too busy to provide top flight professional service when you need it.

Best-

Leigh Brown

Posted by Leigh Brown Charlotte NC Broker/Owner on 06/19/2007 02:33 PM

Comments (14)

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14 Comments on Open Letter to Internet Buyers and Sellers

JUN

2007

Here, here.

I get these calls often. They don't understand when I tell them I can't comment on their real estate transaction because they have an agent.

When they are a FSBO buyer or seller and they call for help, I tell them they SHOULD have gotten an agent. I love those calls.

Lenn-I can understand their confusion, but what I don't get is the ATTITUDE when I won't answer!! Kills me. They all want our knowledge and expertise but get mad that we want to get paid for it. Sheesh.

Thanks, Leigh! You know, I never looked at it that way, as legally interfering. Of course, if they contact us I suppose it's different than if we tried soliciting them. And I know we need to be careful about doling out legal advice.

As for other advice or simple information, I'm going to start replying in this manner. I don't know how many times I've spent quite some time on the telephone giving basic info to someone else's buyer or seller. Of course, I always try to get them to ask their own agent or their attorney.

But sometimes they've called from one of my blog posts and simply want clarification of my own writings. I feel bad to just push them away but this is a great way to do it.

I'm not sure I'd use the same tone for the same people who butter my bread, but the sentiment is there. We're not receptionist or data processors or technical support, we're Realtors with Market Knowledge, most importantly, we're PROFESSIONALS.

I always try to be helpful but I can not advise them about a transaction I know nothing about. Nor do I want to risk interfering in an existing relationship. It's a fine line at times.

Dear John@whotheheckareyou.com can you letme@earnaliving.com that is my reply.

Hi Leigh,

Internet buyers and sellers are a different breed- as we all know- especially the ones I've worked with. It takes a lot more time to screen the "real" buyers and sellers. And, they are a lot more detail oriented than most. In the end I don't count on internet business for my business model. Referrals are the bread and butter of our business.

Mary- that is a funny comment....Ha Ha Ha

"Oh, my gosh" ! I haven't had one yet, but I'll be prepared when I do get one.

JUN

2007

Leigh,

Can you tell us how you really feel? Stick to your guns and you won't shoot yourself or anyone else in the foot!

Ginger

JUN

2007

Amen, if you want to know if your home is priced properly...ask your agent. If you are FSBO, hire an agent. Do you want to know more about the neighborhood? Ask YOUR agent. Stop bleeding other agents for advice.

Mary - that is fantastic!!!!

JUL

2007

I LOVE this! I've never understood why people don't go ask their own agent the questions. It completely baffles me when the say "I didn't want to waste their time."

JUL

2007

Leigh,

Good stuff.

It amazes me when I see folks in online forums asking strangers to explain what their agent is doing/telling them.

As an agent, I would be so embarrassed...

Very well said!!! There is nothing worse than when someone asks a specific real estate question when they have an agent they can ask. We don't take kindly to someone stepping on our toes and we would never do that in return!! Your post is very eloquently said!!

It think it boils down to a seller not wanting to heed the advise give by their hired professional and looking for someone to side with them and say what they want to hear rather than hearing what needs to be said..did I say that right ? Leigh- it surely is frustrating.

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