Real Estate Blog - Smart or Stupid?

Jim, Not having seen the blog in question I don't want to comment on it, but in general, brokers need to exercise control over their sales people's blogging. I know a ;ot of bloggers here on AR don't want to hear that but it is the case. And you are righyt, the broker could lose his license if an agent licensed under him is engaging in unlawful activities.

?Bill Roberts

I've started to treat my blog as any other form of markeing so all the stuff is in every post.  I don't want to have to go back at some point and repair it since I know the day is coming.

So can I put in my market reports wording like:  there is a 4 bedroom home active and listed for $799,00.  If you'd lke to know more about it please call me?  (no MLS, no pictures, no address, no info)

Jim - Sorry.. when you check the YES box it says ' I grant other brokers permission to advertise this listing in the media " - I was personally saying that I would give acknowledgement to the listing brokerage house - but nothing in the little message box says that I have to... 

and the INFO box says " The "Ok to Advertise" field means that it is ok for an agent to advertise another agent's listing(s) in a written format."

And Yes there is also an IDX which is locked to YES and another for Internet that has the option of Yes or No, meaning you can add remarks for the Internet upload

So respectfully, when working with agents in other areas, disagreements and raised eye brows can be avoided by understanding how it is done in that location.  I do agree with your underlying message that we have to understand what we put out there. and I am glad you brought up that message.

Jim, the agent doesn't work for a brick & mortar broker, if you get my drift. They still have to follow the rules, but they probably think they're "under the radar", being that they're small. It's one thing to steal another agent's posts, and quite different when it's the big network$$$$. He's on AR with kersplatts on all his posts, but AR isn't deleting them or him. He also makes a personal claim that is simply untrue.

I think our laws must be similar to yours in GA. Non-licensees aren't allowed to advertise property for sale. We're not allowed to advertise other's listings unless we have written permission and the listing agent/broker is identified (reciprocity). We can advertise other agent's listings within our own broker, however. And our Board forbids using property photos that were taken by others. All these are subject to fines by either the local board or the State Commission.

Here on AR, there is a Florida lender who has advertised an Ohio property (in the OH section of Localism), used the Ohio listing agent's photos and write-up from the Ohio agent's web site, and without the agent's permission. So he's violated several Ohio laws. I suppose he's doing this to try to get business from Buckeyes moving to Florida. Rainers need to check state laws before they venture outside their own state, because not everybody has the same rules.

It amazes me, how many people-both agents, and non-agents, think that we're trying to hold onto our "precious information" by using our MLS systems. I've even heard agents say  the MLS is being replaced by the internet. But they're forgetting that we have a responsibility to our sellers to present their properties in the best light, in order to sell it. The seller may not like what other agents are doing with their listing info. That seller chose a particular agent for a reason. (Too many possible reasons to list). 

And then there's the possibility of a law suit, to the agent and/or brokerage who spreads incorrect information about a listing, to the public. There has got to be some form of quality control.  

Jim, interesting post.  I often see postings either advertising a listing not their own--or even "bashing" a listing not their own (e.g., this is a terrible picture, this house is an example of being overpriced, etc.) and scratch my head wondering about it.  I think most agents (though obviously not the one you mention) realize that they can't advertise, but I wonder whether agents realize that by commenting (negatively) or pasting pictures of another's listing they are also potentially opening themselves up to a heap of problems.