Is that what it's telling us to do?
A little background...I've been very active on Professional Standards for many years at a local and state level. I just completed a 3 year term on NAR's Professional Standards committee and have been re-appointed for another 3 year term...So I feel like I have a pretty good handle on this stuff.
Article 1 Standard of Practice 1-15
Realtors®, in response to inquiries from buyers or cooperating brokers shall, with the sellers’ approval, disclose the existence of offers on the property. Where disclosure is authorized, Realtors® shall also disclose whether offers were obtained by the listing licensee, another licensee in the listing firm, or by a cooperating broker. (Adopted 1/03, Amended 1/06)
In my blog How NOT to Negotiate an offer....Unbelievable!
I wrote about Suzy and Leslie and an offer that was never presented to the seller.
It was a long story and rather than recap it here I'd rather just pick up where I left off....so if your' interested hop over and read Poor Suzy's story...all Unfortunately true.
Anyways what is bugging me is that Leslie is now attempting to use our code as a shield ...She is interpreting the words "with the sellers’ approval, disclose the existence of offers" claiming that it would cover her as she never got the sellers approval....Even though she never bothered to tell the Sellers that she had another offer. Never presented a higher better offer to her clients!!!
I say we're talking Apples and Oranges here...and Leslie is grasping at some mighty short straws.
Article 1 is referencing when someone wants to show the property and offers are already in...not when you have an offer on the table and are asking if there are any other offers in and could be in a competing offer situation!
It made me mad and I wonder just how many other agents use that as a shield as well.
When someone a buyer or an agent does inquire prior to showing asking if there are any offers in and your seller has NOT authorized that disclosure...do you BOLD face lie and say No or do you say something like" I'm sorry I am not authorized to disclose that information"?
Article 1 Also says that REALTORS pledge themselves to protect and promote the interests of their client. This obligation to the client is primary, but it does not relieve REALTORS of their obligation to treat all parties honestly.
Am I all wet here..... or is Leslie desperately trying to defend herself by saying the code made her do it????
How would you all answer that question If someone asked you if there were any other offers in on your listing?
If you haven't read Leigh Browns Blog on Ethics today...you should it's a short read but very powerful...
Read the 2007 REALTOR Code of Ethics here .
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