This subject might not appeal to many real estate practitioners because none of us like regulations. However, with the barrage of misleading information out there, I wonder if our lawmakers are paying attention. After all, it was only in the recent past that we almost experience financial collapse. Were there co-conspirators from the real estate industry? Will we be on the radar screen in the foreseeable future?
As a consequence of the aforementioned crisis, the current administration is taking measures to reform the way business is done in the financial industry. Yes, they are re-writing the rules of the game. Considering the fact that we are intricately related to the financial industry, why would they not look at us? One only has to take a look at the latest foreclosure statistics to see that there are some serious problems that need to be addressed.
Besides that however, there are some very reputable Realtors who are addressing problems that exist in the real estate industry. Below, I have cited two very prolific bloggers, Lenn Harley of Rockville, Maryland and Ruthmarie Hicks from White Plains, New York. I have provided an excerpt from their blogs.
Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker, Rockville, MD in her blog entitled, "LOOKING AT REAL ESTATE TEAMS AND TEAM SPECIALISTS," addressed the following questions: DO REAL ESTATE "TEAMS" EXHIBIT EXPERTISE. The concept of "teams" in real estate practices is popular and often compared to medical "groups". I see little to no resemblance and, in fact, assigning a title of specialty such as "Buyers Agent" to a member of a team is often misleading to the consumer."
Ruthmarie Hicks, Associate Broker, White Plains, NY in her blog entitled "This Brokerage Has 750 Listings.....So they must be the best! (Part 1)"
Here are some of the issues she brought up, "Does size really matter? Does the number of listings or the size of the brokerage have anything to do with the ability of the agent to market and sell a home successfully? Is it the brokerage or the agent that is the determining factor? What Does the Brokerage Bring to the Table?"
What is your opinion?
It is never time for more stringent regulation- especially for Real Estate. Our industry has a unique ability to police itself if we are allowed to do it. In my market, the Justice Department came in and made our multiple listing service stop doing criminal background checks on new members. They said it was an anti trust violation because it made it too hard for new competitors to get in the business. So let's work as hard as we can to keep politicians out of our business and let's eliminate any perceived shortcomings ourselves.