The word "trust" is the second most overused word in real estate. "Honesty" - is the first one. These words are bantered around the Internet so much, people probably do not pay much attention to them. Nevertheless, misusing them in a real estate blog could lead to problems. Misusing them on a multiple blogger platform could lead to even more problems.

The goal of most real estate bloggers is business - i.e. demonstrating their expertise  and personality to the blog readers, i.e home buyers and sellers. The idea is that these readers will be so impressed, they would want to hire the blogger as their real estate agent, mortgage broke, stager, etc.

The second goal of many bloggers, especially on Active Rain, is to get referrals from from their fellow members, again based on their blog.

So, what is the problem with using the "trust" and "honesty" words? The problem is not delivering on the promise. Let's say a real estate agent says on her blog "I sell all my listings for top $". The home seller, who hires her based on such a  claim would be very unhappy, if he didn't get the promised top dollar.

Suppose, a mortgage broker says "I am never late with closing". If he is late, the consumer would be very unhappy, especially if the timing was an important issue to them (which is usually the case with mortgages).

The worst broken promise is of honesty.  Misstating the facts, reneging on commitments, claiming that the other party misunderstood -are just a few ways to undermine honesty and ruin ones credibility.

Doing it from the pulpit of  an individual blog is bad and inexcusable, because it undermines other bloggers in the industry.  Doing it from the platform of Active Rain is in some ways even worse, because it undermines consumers' and other members trust in the other 60+ thousand bloggers.

When a member gives business to another, there is an explicit trust built in through the membership. Violating this trust could negate the efforts of many.

The points in this post are self evident to most, but not to all. Not all business opportunities that develop on Active Rain should be pursued. Here is one easy test - what post would the member, who referred the business to you, write at the end of the transaction? What post would a consumer write at the end of the transaction?  Take the business, only if the answer is "glowing", "spectacular", "more then promised".  You get the point.

P.S. Note to self: Grow up. Just because somebody says something on a blog (even on Active Rain), doesn't make it so.

P.P.S. Another note: I don't like the previous note -I have too many great friends. Having resolved this existential issue, I can get back to writing truthfully about Princeton real estate.  

Please comment on which note you think makes more sense or what you think about truth on a real estate blog. 

Photo by  Katie Tegtmeyer