Why would one professional in the Real Estate Industry step over the line into another’s profession? Not only is it wrong and unethical, but more often than not will kill a deal.  Stepping over that fine line will not only create a bad reputation but they will risk losing their license and risk facing court action.

OMGSTAY IN YOUR OWN AREA OF EXPERTISE. Not only is it the right way of doing business, IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO!!!

  • If you are not a licensed real estate agent, then don’t pretend you are.
  • If you are not an attorney, you cannot give legal advice.
  • If you are not a licensed contractor, you cannot tell a buyer that the home is not structurally sound.
  • If you are not a licensed Termite Inspector, you cannot say there are active termites.
  • If you are a doctor, you cannot presume you are a real estate agent.
  • If you are not a loan officer, don’t give advice on what type of loan program they should have.

Put it this way, you can do whatever your heart desires, although be prepared to face the consequences should you step over that fine line.  YOU SURELY MUST GET MY DRIFT.

 

Step over that fine line…

 

And risk losing your name, your reputation…

 

And whatever license you do have.

 

                                                       

 

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman  is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs  she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.

 

 © 2007-2013 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.

All rights reserved.

     

 


 

 

 
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58 Comments on CROSSING OVER THAT FINE LINE

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

AUG
09
160,947 Points 1 Featured Post

I think the clients appreciate honesty above all. Even when it is not what they want to hear, I think at least you must do the right thing.
9:40am • #40
970,263 Points 245 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Gay...I just had a problem with a home inspector (whose background is a degree in history according to LinkedIN lol) who told the buyer the home was not structurally sound and that the home 'most likely' has active termites.  The rest is history at this point.

 

Barb...darn tootin'!

Joni:  I say, are you a ????  Do you have a license in the field of ?????  You know you are opening yourself up to a lawsuit right????
9:50am • #41
970,263 Points 245 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Nan:  That should be a natural....being up front and honest is one thing...stepping over the line into another area that they are not licensed or experienced to do ....should not have 'opinions' coming out of their mouth :)

Kathryn: It's not just agents..it's MANY others in another field as well.
10:13am • #42
314,062 Points 20 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

This is exactly my problem with new agents going to 100% agencies.  They should not.  They need training first.
12:01pm • #43
432,599 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog

It is important to know where that fine line is. A thought provoking post today. Thanks...
12:39pm • #44

This is so true. Even for those who know this. It's great to be reminded. Thanks!
1:40pm • #45
286,214 Points 38 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp

I love this, if fits perfectly into my day! You are so correct:)
2:32pm • #46
1,584,152 Points 429 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sally

It's an easy trap to fall into clearly, since we see it all the time, and it bears regular reminders. I suspect many times it is someone trying to be helpful and not thinking about the consequences. As you say we are free to do what we want, but that does not me we are free from the consequences.

Jeff
3:14pm • #47
227,617 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sally -- thanks for the great reminder for the folks in the field who may be tempted to "just push the line ever so slightly"   ;-)
3:24pm • #48
1,359,017 Points 243 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sally that is excellent advice.  It is wise for all of us to stay within our area of expertise, but there are many out there that just can't seem to avoid doing that, and not cross that line.
4:05pm • #49
504,537 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Sally, it's amazing how often this stuff happens! We should just do our jobs and let other professionals do theirs.
5:13pm • #50
444,254 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Sally, I really like your straight to the point advice. Stay in your specialty and don't pretend to be all things to all people.
7:36pm • #51
1,335,754 Points 128 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sally, Would love to know what really triggered this featured post. Care to share?
Margaret
7:58pm • #52
996,050 Points 4 Featured Posts

Good post and very true, some people just have to be know it alls and that is where the trouble begins.
9:07pm • #53
472,973 Points 12 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sally, this is a great post with a valuable reminder for people in all professions.
9:35pm • #54
970,263 Points 245 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hey Jeff!  For every action there is a reaction.,...I think most of us want a positive outcome.

George:  What makes it so tempting to some...to step over the line without a second thought of the consequences?

Margaret:  Because I cannot divulge info that is not in writing...and absolutely heresay from a supposed professional...I can only write what I've written. Hopefully, the one who crossed over the line heeded our advice...but unfortunately a little too late. 
10:19pm • #55
AUG
10
974,390 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sally - you mean now I have to see, "Gee willikers Mr. and Mrs. Buyer, those columns are rotting and you should have an engineer evaluate them..."?  Sure, go ahead, take away ALL my fun!

P.s.  You are ABSOLUTELY right.
4:44am • #56
AUG
11
980,853 Points 114 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

And if you're not a licensed real estate agent, you should not be practicing real estate, which a lot of people seem to like to do.
2:57pm • #57
AUG
20
567,095 Points 45 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Practice real estate in the state that you are licensed in, unless you are an attorney or AIF.  Sally, don't you hate it when a buyer or seller says but my realtor back home says I should offer XXX.
12:22am • #58
SEP
02
775,708 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sally, while it's true that we as Realtors do wear many hats...home inspectors, attorneys, appraisers, structural engineers are not among them.  We do learn things by dealing with other professions and many times our opinions or observations in those fields can be fairly accurate, but really holds no weight in a court of law or in front of an arbitration board...just stick to the area that we are licensed in.
12:57pm • #59

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Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman RA CRS HAWAII Mililani Oahu Real Estate

Mililani, HI

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Century 21 Liberty Homes

Address: 95-221 Kipapa Drive Ste. E-3, Mililani, HI, 96789

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Cell Phone: (808) 375-1404

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Reading my blog will give you the human side of this Real Estate Industry Professional as well as allowing you to walk beside me through my writing about Hawaii Real Estate & our Local Area. As a resident of Honolulu County Hawaii for 42 years you will get a tour of a lifetime. Specializing in Hawaii Relocation Military VA Home Buyers you can be rest assured you will be in good hands. I LISTEN to YOUR needs and give you sound advice. Hawaii Relocations, Hawaii Military Relocations, Mililani Hawaii Real Estate, Living in Hawaii, Army Navy Air Force Marines in Hawaii. Read more at www.cheesemanhomes.com


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