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Social Media - Professional Friend or Foe?

By
Real Estate Technology with Rentec Direct

One day when there was a major traffic mess in my hometown on my drive to Rentec Direct headquarters, I took the advice of a friend who suggested I "like" the local Facebook group that reports on police/fire & rescue scanner activity in our area so I would have a head's up on any detours, etc.  Every once in a while I click over to the page to see if anything is happening and I'm always surprised to see how busy this page is!  So much more going on in my town than I ever knew!

This weekend, I happened across a post that made my property management jaw drop (I have removed names to protect the stupid):


So many things going on here that break all professional common-sense rules!  

  • First, posting this drunken/violent indiscretion on Facebook certainly carries a legal liability for this Landlord.  
  • Second, why the heck was the landlord drinking with his tenant all day?  
  • And why did the son get involved and start hitting the tenant?  

Is it just me or does it seem like so many boundaries were crossed here?  I try to imagine myself in this position and I just can't.  However, it did give me a moment to pause on how I use social media and a reminder that everything we post has the potential to circulate the various social circles we're a part of and even more so, the unknown public sector. 

 

Rentec Direct Property Management Software

 

Janell is a member of Rentec Direct, web-based property management software designed to streamline the day-to-day operations of landlords and property managers.

Comments (6)

Bruce Hicks
Best Homes Hawaii - Honolulu, HI
Your Best Hawaii Realtor!

Sometimes Facebook people do not think!  Janell Kittleson (in addition to sales we also do property management).  My word is "When you post, imagine that you are standing at a PODIUM in front of an audience of millions!"  That's what happens when you say something on line.

May 20, 2015 08:00 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Janell- oh yes.  We have to learn that just because we can, doesn't mean we should.  

May 20, 2015 12:11 PM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

    I no longer participate on Facebook, except for keeping up with my relatives (marriages, deaths, graduations).  

    Aside from that, regarding any Social Media site... WHY would you put this kind of stuff out for the public to read?

May 20, 2015 12:50 PM
Truxton Meadows
May 20, 2015 01:01 PM
Kathryn .
Rentec Direct - Grants Pass, OR
Rentec Direct

Social Media- The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly!!

May 21, 2015 03:43 AM
Larry Riggs
Century 21 Redwood - Frederick, MD
GRI, SRS Your Frederick County Specialist

I use facebook quite a bit but it's for a very specific purpose. I stay connected with many of my past clients and friends. It's a great networking tool. That being said, there is wisdom involved. As part of my career I also train other newer agents. I tell them you can brand yourself by what you post. If you constantly post negative of unprofessional comments people will remember. I probably comment much more than I post my own things. I don't tell people what to post on their walls but I do tell them you can alienate a whold segment of potential clients with one foolish comment.

 

May 23, 2015 08:33 PM