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I Got Asked to Take Down a Post Yesterday

Reblogger Lenn Harley
Real Estate Agent with Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate 303829;0225082372

It appears to me that:

1.  They are discouraging agent co-ops.

2.  If your post was advertising your services, they have no basis for a complaint.

3.  I had an agent who was paid $100 to remove a blog post about a community.  The name was copyright protected, but he wasn't using the name, merely writing about the community.  I thought it interesting.

4.  The attorney is paid by the hour.

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Original content by Jeff Dowler, CRS CA DRE #01490977

I Got Asked to Take Down a Post Yesterday

 

This has only happened one other time, a little over 6 years ago, but yesterday I received an email asking me to remove a post.

 

The email was from a new home builder in the San Diego area.

 

Encinitas new homesThey found a post I had written about a new home community in the Leucadia area of Encinitas that I posted a few months ago.

 

As a real estate blogger with a keen interest in my local housing market, keeping tabs on and sharing information about new homes has always been part of my writing.

 

To date I have written about a couple of dozen new home communities…sometimes multiple times with updates on construction, pricing and availability.

 

I’ve sold several new homes so it has been an important part of my strategy, and important information for me to know.

 

While they were “thankful” for the thoughtfulness, the request was to remove the post because they “don’t allow any agents to make postings about their communities and advertise for customers.

 

Too bad. Even if I don’t bring a client the post could generate business for them.

 

New homes for sale in San Elijo HillsThe only other similar situation happened 6 years ago when I received a letter via FedEx from an attorney in Chicago.

 

The long and short of it was a request to remove the posts I had done about a San Elijo Hills new home community named Montage, the same name as a high-end hotels and resorts developer which also owns a number of other trademarks.

 

The San Elijo Hills California Cove community was in violation of the trademark for having named their one new collection of homes Montage, they were sued, and the lawsuit was resolved and dismissed.

 

But, per the attorney, my write-up referencing Montage was likely to cause confusion between the California Cove community and the Montage hotels, resorts and residential developments, and could imply that the San Elijo Hills community was similar in luxury and quality, or had been developed by Montage.

 

So I did what was asked in a timely manner, and as requested notified the attorney of my actions.

 

Have you ever been asked to remove a post?

 

Why? And did you?

 

 

My Jeff Dowler signature

 

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Comments(15)

Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Lenn.... I also thought they were asking because they did not want a herd of agents showing up at their model home with buyers!!!!  when the market changes, they'll be on their knees begging for showings....

Aug 12, 2014 09:47 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Someone is often unhappy about much you do. Blog long and prosper, keep creating those electron streams.

Aug 12, 2014 09:50 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Barbara.  I've run into a number of new home agents who discourage co-ops.  A couple even told the buyers to "ditch the agent" and they'd get a better deal.

Andrew.  Not sure why, but you're right.

Aug 12, 2014 10:20 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Yes, it happened to us. We wrote about a new community, but first got permission from the builder. Then we receive a "nasty" email saying we MUST delete it. I emailed them back their permission that we could write about i, but they didn't care...We removed it, and HA...they still have units to sell after 2 years!

Aug 12, 2014 10:51 PM
Christopher Pagli
William Raveis Legends Realty Group - Tarrytown, NY
"I Stay Open Until You Close"

Wow, you would think they would embrace the press....

Aug 12, 2014 11:26 PM
Maria Gilda Racelis
Home Buyers Realty, LLC-Manchester, Bolton. Vernon,Ellington - Manchester, CT
Home Ownership is w/in Reach. We Make it Happen!

Hi Lenn: Your intro gives additional helpful information about Jeff's article.

Aug 12, 2014 11:36 PM
Bill Roberts
Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate - Oceanside, CA
"Baby Boomer" Retirement Planner

Lenn, You must have a "long spoon." You have often posted that  you sell new houses. I would think that your relationships are tenuous at best.

Bill Roberts

Aug 12, 2014 11:39 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Lenn I read Jeff's blog and I found it strange that someone would not want free advertising.  These people were very foolish to ask Jeff to do that, because he has a good following of readers.

Aug 13, 2014 05:14 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Larry and Sheila.  They don't want to co-op.

Christopher.  You'd think so.

Maria.  Thanks.

Bill.  On the contrary.  My relationship with builders and reps is excellent.  I know my business and they know it.  They also know that I only bring qualified home buyers.

George.  I agree.  Whoever made that decision doesn't know what they're doing.

Aug 13, 2014 06:19 AM
Connie Harvey
Pilkerton Realtors - Brentwood, TN
Realtor - Nashville TN Real Estate

I totally don't understand the thought process here. Costs them nothing and they only stand to benefit from it. Too bad.

Aug 13, 2014 06:51 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Point number four is key. We need to remember two things: lawyers get paid by the hour and real estate agents are not.  Do what you can within reason to avoid being on their clock!

Aug 13, 2014 08:53 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Lenn- I was hoping you'd reblog this so I could see your response.  They sounded very shortsighted to me.

Aug 13, 2014 12:12 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

One would think that anyone would be pleased for the additional Free PR....guess not the case...and how unfortunate.

Aug 13, 2014 07:45 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Connie.  They may believe that the free advertising could compete with their advertising for which they charge.

Gary.  Wise words.

Sally.  Some may prefer control.

Aug 13, 2014 08:40 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Lenn, They want to keep all the buyers for themselves? Don't they realize the drive-bys will be theirs?

Aug 13, 2014 10:44 PM