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"But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express!" - Blog Tips for Rain Drips

I came across something on our beloved network the other day that was a bit disconcerting.

Whenever I log onto ActiveRain, one of my regular habits is to access both the 'Referrals' and the 'Q&A' sections. Since I am only currently licensed in the State of Washington, I only respond to referrals and questions posted within my respective State.

Someone had left a question (I'm assuming that it was a 'consumer') regarding selling a property with mold issues.

Now I don't know about you, but here in the Pacific Northwest, mold issues can be pretty serious stuff, sometimes even life threatening. So it's not an issue to be taken lightly.

An AR member had already responded to the question and started their response by stating, "I'm not a real estate agent, but"....

Excuse me? What's wrong with this picture? Not only was this respondent not licensed within our State, but they weren't even qualified or experienced in the right field!

Why do people find it necessary to respond to questions that they have no right to answer? It seems to me that we do a tremendous disservice to our network and to valued consumers by offering up half-baked answers to their genuine, legitimate questions.

As such, allow me to make a couple of recommendations:

If you're not licensed or regularly doing business within a particular State, DON'T respond to questions there.
If the question subject matter deals with a topic/issue that is outside your area of expertise and knowledge, DON'T respond.

Now, granted, there are those questions that come from within our own membership, and deal with aspects of our network. By all means, feel free to respond to those inquiries.

But for our highly esteemed consumers, let's give them the best advice/counsel that this amazing platform can offer!

(If you enjoyed this article, take time to read my corresponding post entitled "Well, actually, they're more like Guidelines"....)

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail: kitsapagent@gmail.com

Posted by Rich Jacobson Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker on 10/16/2007 12:37 PM

Comments (58)

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58 Comments on "But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express!" - Blog Tips for Rain Drips

OCT

2007

I consider this a valuable message, and I hope many Active Rainers read this. 5 Stars

Rosario - why thank you! You are much too kind. Thank for your thoughtful response...

Rich:

Well said. I have noticed those uninformed answerers myself.

Bill - yes, unfortunately, there seems to be more of them than I care to see...Hopefull, by working together, we can clean up both of these featured sections. Thanks for commenting!

Rich, sometimes the questions seem like "bait". I wonder when the first lawsuit will come out over this type of thing? I've preached it before myself here on AR -- glad to see someone else stepping up on the podium to do the same.

Kris - you would hate to see it come to that. But the potential certainly exists, and you would think it would provide enough motivation for people to be more cautious about when & how they answer these questions. Thanks for sharing your views....

Hi Rich, Very well said and this is something folks need to take seriously. We all lose credibility when others, specifically not qualified, are speaking on our behalf. Another one for the guidelines booklet!

William - agreed. We need to take things like this seriously. It bears a HUGE reflection on the integrity of this platform. Appreciate your thoughts here, as usual...

Rich,

I just speak only about my Specialty, and what I am trained to do, and nothing more. Obviously some are more Ballsy I guess.

Tom Weiss

You are on target with your concerns regarding the Q & A section. This is serious business for others (license in another state or not at all) to assume they know the answer. Wrong from the get go. I hope others read this post and realize this is not a subject to be taken lightly.

Tom - I don't know that I'd call it being 'Ballsy.' Maybe more like 'Stupid?'

Sally - nice to know that there are others who consider this to be a 'serious' issue.

I don't torture myself by going into the Q & A, every time I went in there my stomach went into my throat.

Well Rich, I not only don't answer questions related to other states, I don't even answer question that are in my state but in different areas. I have to really know the area in other to guide someone. This is a great post, Thank you.

Rich, I don't even peek in there. I fear the rest of the story that got left out that just might change everything. I'm not throwing advice around until I know better.

But I do love saying, "I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night," if I surprise someone with a really good answer. ;o)

Rich - Agreed and agreed. Nice post!

Rich - I see people doing this on Trulia as well. They live in say CA but are answering questions about pricing in NM. Based on what? I stopped going into the Q & A for the same reasons. The people are answering questions they shouldn't be.

Rich,

I don't go there for this same reason, I always wondered why some would answer these questions when they are not licensed in the state....you can't fix stupid!

I don't blame many of you for giving up on the "Q&A" section and for your reluctance to venture back. But if those of us who actually could give a qualified answer don't access this feature, then the problem will only worsen.

I've only viewed the Q&A a couple times and was apalled at what I saw. There have been several posts on this subject - all of which note that the responders are playing in dangerous territory. Is it Linda D or Lenn that says - Special Kind of Stupid! Those people better have their E&O paid up.

I was disappointed when they created that feature as I know in our own state one of the local newspapers had the same type of thing and it just got too way out of hand. They dumped it.

I wish AR would do the same.

Jay - I am getting to the same conclusion. Either do it well, or delete it. Maybe once they re-vamp Localism, and officially launch it, they may re-visit this feature...

Rich, I don't go there, I would never answer a question that was not in Michigan. Same things happen at Trulia, out of area agents answering our questions. That is bizarre !

More often then not we get any number of American Realtors and Mortgage Professionals answering questions from Canadians offering information and advice that couldn't be more from the truth.

In most instances it is not even an issue of the opinion but giving advise that is either complete wrong or not even possible under Canadian Law.

If I am not mistaken there was once a movement to request or suggest that questions from certain market area's be answered by only those that are qualified to do so.

Dave - there definitely needs to something done to correct these issues. Hopefully, the Boys in Bellevue will address our concerns...

I am like you and visit the q&a, then wonder who and why some feel the need to answer, especially about local questions or issues and they are not even from the area. Thanks for your post, it is right on!

I have found this too.....

One of the reasons I don't go out there very often. Maybe once they figure out a way for me to subscribe to Texas questions.... I will visit more

Rich,

You make a good point, that if we don't respond then the buffoons will rule.

But... I just think it is an issue for the Fellers at AR to handle, since it is obviously so far out of control.

I haven't looked at Q & A in weeks mostly because of the out-of-state responders and all the posts that began, "I don't know about North Carolina, but..."

Thank you! Well said. I particularly dislike when agents from other states try to answer real estate questions from a state they don't live in. What's up with that. They don't know our laws.

Maybe we need the AR Police to check this out.

And I thought I was the only one it bothered! Always glad to see I am not alone!

Amen! I am always amazed by people who try to tell me how to run certain areas of my business when they have never worked in the field and in one case, had never been employed!

Rich, This is an topic that has come up on other posts. I say dump the feature or have boundaries which will only allow a professional from that state to answer

Ginger

OCT

2007

Rich- People need to be more responsible. Don't give advice without any knowledge of that advice! Thanks for this post and I hope people read it to whom it applies. Katerina

Same things happen on Trulia Voices and on Yahoo questions. Really, one of my standard answers is "are you really going to take the advice of someone you have never even met since this is a MAJOR financial decision for you and your family?"

Rich... it's hard to program in every variable for potential abuse. I do think that the programming could easily keep others from out of area from answering questions in your area. That's a simple fix for some of the problem, but there is always going to the potential for some abuse in an open system.

Bravo Rich -- Thanks for addressing this issue. It drives me nuts to read some of the answers in the Q & A section and am amazed that some agents feel the need to answer all the questions regardless of state or topic. . . I am equally irked by the postings in the referral section posted by agents or loan officers trying to solicit business! Duh. . .we would all like business, but my understanding of a referral is sending business to others outside of your geographic or professional area! Seriously, the Holiday Inn Express must be packed to the gills every night!

Hi Rich, Congrats on the feature status. If AR could create a shell form for those answering questions that might by default require the person answering to state their professional qualifications when in answering. Consumers then could be advised to be leery of and avoid answers where that information is not supplied. Just another thought on the subject.

Rich,

As I scan through the names of those who commented, I don't see the names of the biggest offenders in the Q&A section. It drives me crazy to see how some members answer every single question out there. Who are they trying to impress with their obviously nationwide knowledge of every market and situation out there? I'm with you...stick to what you know.

LOL I love the title, so fitting. I have strayed FARRRRR from there because of the liability of implied agency. Too little in the question, how do you not know it is loaded? Stupid people who have nothing better to do like to play games with agents these days. I don't play games :)

While I basically agree with you, there is one point I would disagree with. "I am not an auto mechanic, but..."

I would respond that I have more expertise in many areas of automobilia than many certified techs. Of course, there are others that I would be well down the list of qualified responders. It comes down to knowing what you know. And being quiet when you don't.

If your brother's wife's cousin's barber's niece had a similar problem, you might do better to hold off on answering.

Hi Rich,

I agree with you about the seriousness of unqualified people answering Q & A questions.

I believe Q & A should be removed from AR all together!

It's really not even smart to answer questions within your own state, because rarely do you hear the whole story, you may be violating agency laws and your advice may be considered practicing law.

Stay away from responding. I rarely go to it anymore and if I do, I stop myself from writing answers.

If it's in writing, anyone has access to it...now or in the future!

Bob Here;
I agree with Jay and you. Do it well or delete. Too many "experts" that really aren't and are giving dangerous info out I'm afraid. Great post. You sure it wasn't a Motel 8 Express? haa haa
Bob Hammerstein

Dan - I appreciate and respect your answer here. But I respectfully disagree. I don't think the feature should be removed. It simply needs greater attention and additional controls. There are consumers out there that have legitimate concerns. The whole purpose of Localism is to give consumers a platform to make meaningful connections with local real estate professionals. The 'Q&A' feature should be one more valuable tool for helping to accomplish that goal. If I sense that the story isn't complete, I ask the consumer more questions, or I put a disclaimer in with my response. But at least the consumer now has a qualified professional in their specific area who is providing them with a valued response.

I went there once maybe a year ago...if I'm not licensed in the state ... I wouldn't even read it..as a matter a fact I wont even go to that section any longer...how would I know the price of tea in China. It makes no sense to think you are a no it all in a state you do not practice in and I wouldn't even want the liability. I have enough questions to answer hear in Florida...thank you for mentioning this and hope those no it alls follow this as well.

Bob????...you mean there really IS a Bob???...wow, I feel so honored! And all this time I've just been flirting with your better half!...Yes, do it well or don't do it at all. That's where we're at with this feature. I think the Boys in Bellevue have other things on their plate more important than this issue. Nice to see you commenting!...Say "Howdy!" to Lisa...

Lane - I understand what you're saying. But in our business, we need to maintain the lines of our respective disciplines. I've been in this business long enough to know a lot about mortgage lending, title work, home inspections, etc., but I will only respond to questions that are specifically related to my area of expertise, residential real estate.

Oh man Rich...the liability alone is HUGE! I'm a agent and I wound'nt want to answer some of those questions.

Moni - our liability is HUGE when we're sleeping. There's a potential lawsuit everytime we breathe. I used to work for a small Midwest Corporation. Part of my job was being the liason between sales and engineering. Sales always wanted to freedom to do whatever was necessary to get the sale. Engineering was only concerned with liability issues. Somehow, there needs to be a middle ground.

Rich, I completely agree with you! I blogged a couple of months ago about how horrible the Q&A section was, and all of a sudden there was new verbiage on the main page about only answering questions that you know the answers to... but that hasn't helped one bit. I have noticed that a couple of "regulars" have stopped answering questions, so it might have helped an iota of a bit, but not much.

I agree with you. I've learned that if you don't really know something,then don't say that you do. People will respect you even more for being honest instead of lying. Great post.

You are right with your concerns regarding the Q & A section. Thank you! Well said.

OCT

2007

It is annoying isn't it. People comment on issues in states they don't live in where the rules are most certainly different. Some answers seem to border on practicing without a license it seems.

Hi Rich,
I've stopped checking the Q&As. People from all over the US were answering the questions asked people in NC. I think that one should only be able to respond to question in their area. Maybe this is something we need to push with the AR gods.

Like many (who I know are great agents!), I don't even go there. Sad but true. I think consumers do need someone intelligent answering the questions, but the fear of liability looms in my head. And more to the point, the quality of the responses if often so bad I don't want to be affiliated with them!

Nice article Rich.....wish we could convince some people that they are not always helping when their mouth or keyboard is running rampant.

Although do we want to discourage people from attempting to help? Understandably without knowledge or any contacts to assist it makes little to no sense but encouraging people to clam up unless they are experts may not create the ideal situation either.

Needless to say I agree to the article but not sure where the line is.

Hey, Guys! Thanks for generating some really excellent conversations here.

The very unfortunate part of all of this is that we have consumers asking genuine, legitimate questions. People NEED our help! But some YAHOOS are throwing out 'unqualifed' fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants' answers. And then, the rest of us who could truly provide professional and qualified answers refuse to become involved.

Easy solution? If everyone would simply access the 'Q&A' feature in their respective state each day, the problem would correct itself very quickly.

Just MHO...

OCT

2007

Rich, I just left a comment this morning in the Q & A section to an agent who was advertsing/trolling for business. I also flagged it, although I don't know how that works in getting the post removed. Oh, one other thing. This agent doesn't appear to be a member of AR. Sheesh!

Rich, I also agree that those not qualified to answer questions should stay out of it. We, in Texas, are so litigation conscious that we pre-empt everything with...."I'm not an attorney". We teach all of our agents to NEVER offer an opinion about something they are not qualified to answer. Therefore, we do a lot of referring to attorney's, inspectors, HVAC companies and the like. It keeps us all out of trouble.

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Rich Jacobson Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Silverdale, WA

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Keller Williams West Sound Realty

Address: Silverdale, WA, 98383

Office Phone: (360) 499-6367

Cell Phone: (360) 440-4758

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Providing Knowledgeable Empowerment and Relentless Representation of Real Estate Clients throughtout the Western Puget Sound, including all of Kitsap County WA, and portions of Mason, Pierce, and Jefferson Counties.

"Helping You to Successfully Achieve Your Next Adventure in Life!"

Rich Jacobson

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