Advice Abuse...Don't Be a Victim

   There are so many different professions that can be involved in a real estate transaction...sometimes lots more than others...more contractors, legal advisors, inspectors, realtors, lenders, surveyors, engineers,  accountants may play a part in a transaction.

   The very most important part of the involvement of any professional is to know what the boundaries of their involvement are....and knowing what they don't know.

   Having  a real estate license does not qualify you to give legal counsel, determine structural defects or offer financial advice.  A degree business...a law license...and many other hallmarks of education do not make any one person an expert in everything.  In many cases, education and experience in specific areas is required to serve clients and customers with the highest degree of professionalism This is true of both sides of a transaction....representing Buyers in an area where an agen  has no expertise is just as wrong/detrimental as listing a property that is clearly out of the agent's realm of experience. We see this on both ends of the experience spectrum...newer agents who are anxious for experience and "assume" they know....Agents licensed for decades with little experience.

   Lenders and lawyers  need not be contractors. Inspectors are not contractors. Contractors are not advisors.

The brightest people in every/any profession are the ones who know what they don't know....and defer to the highest and best sources for information and ultimately in determining their course of action.  Unfortunately, all too often in every profession there are no clearly defined...or meaningful punishments for "line crossing"  and the cycle of "advice abuse" continues.

   Buyers and Sellers beware....no professional will be offended if they are asked to produce credentials, references...a documented record of experience. You may be jeopardizing your future investment when exposed to the practice of people who have little experience, education or expertise.  Caveat Emptor...or your wallet may be emptier and your experience regretful. Amen and women.