Sometimes I get a bit put out over some of the rules and regulations in Real Estate. For example, I can't use the term "Realtor" in my website name. And I have to put the little trademark icon after the word Realtor when I use it in marketing. And all the redundant paperwork is nutso too. It now takes a good hour to write up an offer and fill out all the accompanying paperwork.
Further, I have to be very careful about what I say in regards to housing. There are no "good" or "bad" areas of town, even though there are still areas where shootings happen at night and drugs run rampant. And I have to tell my sellers that anything they say about the condition of their home is not confidential if I hear it. I am required to tell what I know, if asked by potential buyers. That can be uncomfortable when I am representing sellers.
And now I understand that there are lots of regulations coming down the pike in regards to how I use Facebook and other social media in marketing. Really? Nobody has cared about that stuff for the last three years. Now it's a big deal? And here in Oklahoma, there is no use of the word "free" in marketing. And inducing anyone to do anything is a no-no that can send you to jail.
I could go on and on, of course, but I won't. And I'm sure you could add to the list too.
There are some investment groups in our area who sells real estate also. They are typically small companies, but many seem to do fairly well for themselves. Occasionally, I'll see them sign up on Real Estate websites and refer to themselves loosely as real estate professionals. Some have their own website and some are in the MLS.
Sometimes I think it might be kind of nice to get to play outside the Real Estate Ethics Guidelines sandbox, like non-Realtor investment groups get to do. They don't have the mountains of paperwork. They don't have seemingly silly rules about marketing on Facebook and in social media. And they don't have anyone watching their every move to make sure they are not discriminating and that they are treating their clients honestly and ethically.
Yep, they're outside the Ethical Guidelines sandbox. They're outside the ethical guidelines sandbox. Hmmm. Ethical guidelines. Wait a minute. Weren't those invented and put into place in order to protect people? Yeah, that's right. They were. The Real Estate Rules and Ethical Guidelines are in place not only to protect our clients, but you and me as well. Because we live in a world where people cheat and are not always honest, we need must have guidelines to keep everything above board and honest. Otherwise, what guarantee does someone have that they aren't being cheated or discriminated against, or that there aren't some kind of backroom deals going down that they're unaware of?
So, Real Estate Rules and Guidelines, even though you are a bit a burden some days, I'll take you. I'll check my attitude at the door and abide by and embrace you. Because, at the end of the day, you not only protect, but actualy give me a leg up on non-Realtor competition.
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