BE WISE - Sometimes Giving Your Opinion is NOT the Right Choice!
Realtors are professionals that wear many hats. Different job descriptions go along with our never ending services. While many agents do more than the norm, it can be fraught with problems should things not go well. Every agent defines their own role of expertise, but there are norms and then there are times when agents cross boundaries that they shouldn't.
A recent post talked about school districts and how agents should know where the "good schools" are and provide this info to buyers. I don't believe that as agents it is our job, and quite frankly it is not for us to decide. As a mom, I made sure that my kids were in the proper school district. I can assure you that not all the moms that I knew were in agreement about which school was the best. How could they know what I wanted for my child? Assuming that bit of info for another family would be misguided at best.
As a real estate agent, when speaking about different locations with clients the topic of "good schools" frequently comes up. How could I possibly have that answer? I could speak from experience, but that is a biased opinion, nothing more. I am not an educator.
I hear the argument of agents state that they are just providing facts that are published. Many sources for that information come along with an agenda and can not always be the best guide. I stay away as it makes more sense to let clients decide for themselves using multiple sources. I won't be quoted saying that it was on my website that the school district is something that it isn't.
And then there is the fair housing issue!!
Now this can be a real problem when it comes to "steering" a client from one neighborhood to another based on a school choice. I can certainly find homes in a district that a client prefers, but figuring out which district is best for them is truly their job. What I can do is make suggestions on where to gather the information of different schools to make a decision. I can facilitate their research, but the decision is always their own. I am the source of the source.
On my website, I provide information about local school districts. All that I provide are links to the local public schools and a brief overview of all the colleges and universities in the area. I also have a list of local private preschools available. No critique no stats, no "we are number one" no demographics.
As an agent I wear many different hats, and I would say that I am quite informed about the school district that I live in. I could probably argue both for and against it and even remain rather ambivilent about it. What I can't provide is an educators opinion. More importantly I cannot provide the best solution for my clients, and therefore I can't tell them that one district is the best choice for their student.
Don’t be someone you aren’t. Since I'm not a building inspector, an appraiser, a lawyer, or a contractor, I can't answer for them. I am not an educator or social worker or personal coach and I am not able to assess what school will be best for a child. When it is a major concern for a client I am sure to help them find the answers they need. My opinions remain with me.
Question is, how do you help your clients when the answer is not something you can say??
Comments(5)