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TV Judges – Would There Be Justice if Real Estate Law Violators Were Tried on Television?

By Eric Kodner

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Twin Cities Homes

November 06, 2007 08:29 AM

Most of us have watched TV Courtroom programs like The People's Court, Judge Judy and Judge Joe Brown.

If Fair Housing violators had to be tried by TV judges, on national television, would it help reduce the number of violations? If the eyes of the American public were on them throughout the trial, would that make a difference? Would the public better understand why we have Fair Housing laws?

What about other types of real estate-related violations? If an agent is charged with a state license law violation, should the public be involved? How would repeat violators like it if the complaint process was more transparent to the public?

Most states require that agents attend CE courses on real estate law, fair housing law, ethics and so forth. And despite all that education, agents continue to be found guilty of law violations from time to time. Would more transparency and public scrutiny put a stop to bad behavior on the part of some real estate professionals?

Can you imagine Judge Judy yelling at a real estate agent on national television?

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Aslan Realty Advisors, LLC

Fort Myers, FL

Staying a step ahead with Pride!

I LIKE IT!

Whose got the phone number to the TV Executives....this could be a BIG HIT!

Thanks for a bit of humor-

Paige

Nov 06, 2007 08:38 AM

Eric Kodner

Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Twin Cities Homes - Minnetonka, MN

Wayzata Lakes Realty: Twin Cities, Madeline Island

Paige-- Yeah, my post was a bit tongue-in-cheek. But I've read posts here by frustrated members who ask what it would take to get some agents to improve their standard of practice. And I was channel-surfing (while blogging, of course) and I came across Judge Judy on tv, glaring at a defendant and calling him names. So that was the inspiration for this post.

Gee, maybe Fox Television would buy the idea..thanks for commenting!

Nov 06, 2007 08:42 AM

Randy L. Prothero

eXp Realty - Hollister, MO

Missouri REALTOR, (808) 384-5645

I think it would be good. Not every case gets on TV, but a few more involving real estate transactions might be a good thing.

Nov 06, 2007 10:12 AM

Randy, I read and enjoyed your post about a lack of professionalism, entitled "Bringing Out the Worst in Some". For those visiting who haven't seen it, you'll find it here:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/261909/Bringing-Out-the-Worst

Maybe more transparency would improve the conduct of some agents who don't observe the law or engage in accepted standards of practice!

Nov 06, 2007 10:16 AM

Danielle V. Lewis

DDR Realty - Newburgh, NY

DDR Realty

This is something that I definitely hadn't thought of...Naturally, the negative aspects would be played up for entertainment purposes. Many people would be led to think that real estate agents are unethical by practice. The whole situation gives ample food for thought.

Nov 08, 2007 11:19 PM

Danielle, I wonder if the public would learn anything if they were able to watch a Fair Housing violation trial on television. I believe there are many out there who hide their heads in the sand and can't imagine that there is such a thing as housing discrimination.

Nov 09, 2007 01:12 PM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

It almost happened to another agent that I got the privilege of working with. The other agent and their client broke some laws and it ended up going to small claims court and we were asked to be on one of these shows. I think it was Judge Joe Brown?

The other agent realized she was in the wrong and didn't even bother to show up and try to help her client. The judge yelled at the defendant and told him that his agent is lucky that she wasn't there because he had a few choice words for her and that he should hire a new agent that was confident enough in their abilities to show up in court next time.

Nov 12, 2007 05:12 PM

Todd, I think it would be a real shock to some agents to see how their actions are viewed in Court. And airing it on national television would add more than a touch of embarrassment!

Nov 12, 2007 06:05 PM

Dave Shockley

Independent Contractor - Waynesboro, VA

Putting my clients needs first Roy Wheeler Realty

Todd

Our state association lists violations and case numbers and names in their quarterly newsletter. They give the case number so you can go to the web and look up the details. If the public knows where to look they can also see this information.

I am a broker and I also teach Principles of Real Estate at the local community college and also teach CE classes for our association. When teaching I use the newsletter and also bring up the cases on the screen. It is a real eye opener when they see this and I comment that they do not want their name to appear like this.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving

Nov 21, 2007 02:36 AM

Dave, teaching by example is the best way to get things across to a class. I have taught Fair Housing classes and I show my class discrimination cases that have been published on the HUD website. It gets their attention!

Nov 22, 2007 04:38 AM

Jeanean Gendron

The Address Realty - Redding, CA

Specializing in Selling Unique Properties

Eric, I like the post. Very strong and relevant. Food for thought and your comments are good. I really can't conceive of abuse in this area, however I am sure it exists.

Nov 23, 2007 07:27 AM

Jenean -- Thank you for visiting and commenting! It's unfortunate that there's even a need for enforcement and prosecution, but it does go on.

Nov 25, 2007 12:55 PM

TV Judges – Would There Be Justice if Real Estate Law Violators Were Tried on Television?

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