I was reading over Scott Daniels blog this morning about false advertising in real estate, and the few comments about how often this is occurring in the marketplace. It made me stop and think about the many descriptions I write for property ad copy on flyers, brochures and online ads. Have I ever crossed the line when its some to advertising a property...??? Now, I was worried. There was that house in that great neighborhood...what did I say...it was "Immaculate". No, it really wasn't. They had birds (out of site, but not smell, mind you) There was nothing good to say about that one condo, but nonetheless, didn't I say "Town-home, Sweet Town -home"..? I could think of a million examples.
OK, since I am an unlicensed virtual assistant, I make it very clear that the advertising bottom line starts and ends with my client. It's in my contract. I learned that the hard way! A few years ago, one of my first brochures was not proofread very well, and I included the stainless steel refrigerator with the other stainless (built-in) appliances. Well, guess what happened...my clients had to buy a stainless steel refrigerator for the buyers of their listing. Ouch!
My point being that I really hadn't really stopped to think about my wonderful ad words that I love to think about. So, I did a Google search of false advertising in real estate and came to this site..Real Estate Terms. This term was not in the CA State Real Estate Principles book I have studied....but it said SEE "Puffing" Definition: The illegal and unethical practice of making inflated or exaggerated or superlative statements or opinions that clearly do not represent the truth.
That's a real word! I never knew that! I could hear it now, "Laura, that flyer is a little puffy", or worse yet, "Laura, you have been accused of puffing". It just goes to show you that you learn something new everyday!
From this point on, I will watch my puffiness tendencies ( I know I have them) and hope that I saved another agent from having to buy an appliance out of their commission!
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