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Be The Source of the Source- Not a Babbling Brook

the source Geiser Newcomers to an area have a myriad of questions. Some of which we as REALTORS® are qualified to answer, and some we are not. Being the source of the source can be most helpful to customers. Learning where to find the answers to customer questions rather than being the source of the answer can save a relationship and build credibility in the process.

Speak only of what you know. Babbling on about zoning, future land usage, school ratings, and other areas where you do not have documentation can be a problem if a customer bases purchasing a property on that information. "Can I split this lot and build another house here?" Whoa!

"That is question only the Planning and Zoning/Building Department can answer with any certainty. Here is the Number"

"Did this school get the highest grade in Florida?" Whoa!

"Here is the number or web address for the school board. Now they have something to chew on.

Do you know if this house in zoned for the "right" school? Whoa! See above. Maps are often available.

These questions seem innocent enough, and in our eagerness to help a new family settle into a new area, it is imperative that you not venture into unknown waters. Preparing a list of ancillary agencies can be most beneficial when assisting newcomers with vital information.

The school board in Osceola County Florida for example has wonderful maps showing the areas which are serviced by a particular school. If that school is extremely important to your customer for their needs or future needs, then by all means give them information but do not comment on it.

Information we provide, we are responsible for. Putting a customer in touch with the correct authority is professional. They are the source of specific information.

Buyers will innocently rely on the information Realtors provide. So be thorough, preparing a newcomers guide may seem basic, but you would be surprised how many Realtors just wing it. Realtor can be an excellent source of where to find the information consumers seek.

St. Cloud Florida Real Estate Broker/Associate,

St. Cloud Florida Homes For Sale, Buying HOMES In St. Cloud Florida, Real Estate Agent specializing in Osceola County Homes ,Townhomes, vacation properties, land, & Investment Properties-Allison Knows Osceola County, Fl.

Posted by Allison Stewart BROKER/ASSOC/REALTOR ®St. Cloud Florida on 10/09/2007 01:33 AM

Comments (32)

astewart realtor, osceola county realtor, expert, property, homes, relocation to florida

Originally posted at: Allison Stewart Realtor Insights: Be The Source of the Source- Not a Babbling Brook

This post has been included in Florida Information Osceola County, FL Information Saint Cloud, FL Information
Post is included in group: Realtors®

32 Comments on Be The Source of the Source- Not a Babbling Brook

OCT

2007

Source of the Source is one of my favorite sayings as an agent. Sometimes we have to watch what we are saying it can get us in more trouble than anything!

Very true Charles. Very true. We can best serve our customers by knowing where to obtain the information they seek is, instead of venturing an opinion.

you could be asking a little much to ask most of the ego manaiacs in RE to defer to someone else

Allison, I place a link on my web site to much of that sort of information. But then you are correct you need to be the source...not the fount of knowledge... too much to know and way too many reasons to just pass the information along. Even if youo give the correct infomration it may be understood in a different context or misunderstood. So it is best to be helpful but cautious.

Jeff tht is a bit of a cheap shot.

Allison,

I agree that if you are not in the field the question is about.....the best I can say as an Agent is please contact an expert/professional in that field ......

Allison = nice post --- I never heard the saying "be the source of the source.." that works as a good reminder! Thank you...

Hi Allison, There's also the issue of liability. When we represent ourselves as experts in areas outside of our area of expertise, training and knowledge, we run the risk of being judged as giving inappropriate counsel as a professional. This is something we have to be very careful with. This was a good post and we need to be reminded about the limits of our professional representation.

OCT

2007

Failing to follow your suggestion can be the "source" of a lot of trouble. Not only can agents be accused of practicing law or accountancy, but also there is the risk that providing too much information on the wrong topic can be a Fair Housing violation.

I really like your statement. This is what makes some of us better than others. If you talk to much the client may loose interest.

Great Blog by the way. I like reading stuff that helps curve down the running mounth. I know what you mean.

Perrin- I agree. Placing links to city and county agencies is very helpful. In face to face conversations, keeping a list of phone numbers to the building department, school district, and other such regulating bodies, is also helpful. That affords customers the oppportunity to get the information they desire directly from the governing body instead of relying on what the sales associate/broker "said."

LOLA- Precisely! Your comment is very important

"There's also the issue of liability. When we represent ourselves as experts in areas outside of our area of expertise, training and knowledge, we run the risk of being judged as giving inappropriate counsel as a professional. This is something we have to be very careful with."

Liability Issues Exactly. We do not want to give legal advise. We best serve our customers by directing them to the proper authority on any issue outside of the Real Estate transaction. Thanks Lola!

Eric- Makes some great points here. Customers can ask questions that put us in precarious situations. Rather than allow them to take us into "unethical" waters, refering them to the governing body is giving them the source by which they may obtain a definitive answer. Thank you Eric an excellent comment!

You are 100% correct! Be the source of the source! Especially when you are a Buyer's Agent! I don't want that liability! I also explain to the Client that I want them to get the info from the "horses mouth" so they can ask more detailed questions from the source if needed.

Good Morning Allison-

Exactly!

Day in and day out we see people babble about things they have no business getting involved in - trying to be 'experts' in fields where they have little or no experience... very frustrating.

Rick

You are so right! Better it come from the "horses mouth" than make us look like the other end if we are wrong! LOL

Great advice, better to send them to check it out themselves for lots of reasons.

Good to be reminded of this. Some time I fall into the talk and forget to stop and make sure what I am saying can be backed up. Thanks for the post.

Very good advice! We should be a resource of the sources available to find the most accurate information!

This seems like a great time to pull together a list of important numbers and/or websites for my market area. :-) Thanks!

Remember, we only know what we know. The important part is to know that you only know what you know... and know what that is.

Allison--Your post of early this morning is, in my opinion, about the best advice for Risk Management that a REALTOR could have. It is particularly relevant to a place like the Florida Keys, which is the location of my real estate practice. Monroe County is all about a maze of governmental and environmental restrictions and regulations, making it a MUST to refer questions to the Ultimate Authorities.

Allison,

I agree and think that you make for a great point! Be the resource!

Great post - thank you for your insights as well as contributing your voice to the community here on Active Rain!

Allison,

This is an excellent post, for Realtors at every level. Sometimes, I think you might see more of this type of issue with the seasoned agents because they feel that they know everything and they want to demonstrate their knowledge. It's truly rocky terrain to travel on. I'll print this one and give it to some of the other agents in my office. Great info to have, thanks for posting it.

Hi Allison,

Very wise words! We provide information to the public that enables them to make informed decisions and the information we provide should be the best we can "get" for them. Anyone who goes beyond those guidelines may want to acquaint themselves with their Board rules and regulations! Yikes! Congrats on another well-deserved Gold Star!

Hi Lisa

Thanks for checking in. I appreciate your comments. With so many new people coming into the industry, little reminders can keep them out of "hot water". Hope you are both doing well.

Allison, thanks again for reading and commenting on my recent AR post. You are too nice! Anyway, as far as 'babbling brooks' go, you're absolutely right on the $$. The 2 big D's of Real Estate sales; Disclosure (what you know) and Disclaimer (what you don't know), need to be taught along with the other ABCs of the business at an early age. I agree with you completely.

Geno

OCT

2007

this is the absolute truth. We've all encountered the "know it all" that didn't know it all... don't want to be that person!

Geno- Perfectly stated. Thank you for commenting here. Your Double D is delightful- another gem to add to the collection.

Chris- The goal is to help others improve their skills, thank for contributing to the string of comments.

Excellent advice! You can tell I'm not a REaltor as I've never heard of "source of the source".

OCT

2007

What a great saying. I have a list of websites that I give buyers that gives them the source of a wealth of information. When I know the area they are looking in, I add that areas local sites.

Good advice. What a good mode of operation. I think more will have to go this way.

OCT

2007

Judi- Thanks for stopping by. Better safe than sorry right?

Phyllis excellent- phoner numbers work well out int he field also.

John- I hope so,

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