Just provide the facts Jack, take your hearsay elsewhere!

Hi Wanda,
Great post, like Rich it reminds me of a saying from a TV series and the line was "Just the facts ma'am, just the facts".  If we present facts logically and coherently to our clients, when the time comes for them to make a decision, it will be made with confidence.

"All we want are the facts, Ma'am"

The Dragnet references have been done, so I'll skip those!  Loose lips sink ships!  Seller's please put down all material facts affecting the property in writing.  There is no reason to offer any speculation just simply write it down on the form!

Good Advice, and I agree that its better to skip the speculations.

I find often the hardest deals are when the sellers or buyers are getting advice from outsiders.  I document and copy everything I get my hands on.

The words that make me cringe in a transaction are "Trust me, you can count on it being done, no need for an addendum, I'm on it"

Wanda, Fred #24 stole my thunder. Det. Joe Friday did nothing without the facts, and wrote them all down in his little spiral note pad. In this business, we need everything documented in writing and taken from reliable sources, otherwise complications arise that cause delays or even cancellations of contracts, and we work too hard to lose it on somebody else's thoughts.

Good awareness post.....What actually needs to happen or has happened versus what needs to be done or what you thought was done all boils down to whether you are a professional or not......Thank you Wanda...

Maybe Sgt. Joe Friday should have been a REALTOR.

Wanda, you have hit on another weakness of mine, but I know it is a weakness, and I am trying to implement systems to strengthen this weakness...

I agree with this post. It's about what is written... not what is said. Good point and well stated.

Oh Wanda as I was reading this I thought - I must suggest this for a feature as it is so good.  Then lo and behold when I finished reading I noticed it was already featured.  I guess I'm a day late and a dollar short. 

I'm so glad that other astute members felt the same way I did!!!  Congrats.

"But your honor they TOLD me they would do it...". Yup, thats not gonna work very well when performance is based on the terms of the contract. Love the post!

-Brent

Hi Wanda,  Great reminder !  And just wait till a surprise comes along and you need detailed written docs to support what you did or didn't do !

In real estate we are always reminded to get everything in writing. anything else doesn't mean a thing. There will always be some people that will try and complicate things by trying to introduce rumors and speculations into the transaction. Just the facts please!

If I research something for someone I tell them what I found, where I found it, and direct them to that location.  If I say, "Yes you can have horses on a property."  I have a lot more liability than if I say, " I spoke to Ms. Jones at the county and she says the property is zoned for horses.  Here number is . . . ."