Stay Within Your Expertise
I recently did an evaluation on a commercial property for a client. During the physical tour of the building I took pictures of various parts of the building, the services, the design and layout. The client asked me several questions about real estate, the market, and property values. All of these questions were easy for me to answer, provide relevant facts and information on, and give evidence to things that are happening and have happened recently in our city. This is an area of information of which I would consider myself an expert.
However, while we were looking through the building the client insisted I take a look at this electrical service. Now I happen to know more than the average person about electrical services. I have viewed hundres of them in properties I have dealt with, I have replaced a few in properties I have owned over the years, and I have actually worked on a few as a contractor when I was a kid and did a couple years of work as an Electricians Apprentice. I am far from an expert though, despite my advanced experience. When I looked at the panel I can readily identify a couple of things that didn't look right, but my professional responsibility disqualifies me from offeringn an "expert opinion" on these things. I know that there are many people who know more about it and would be far better for us to consult. In fact, I have multiple contractors in my contacts list just for such incidents as this.
As real estate professionals, it is easy for us to overstep our expertise and want to just provide a short answer quickly for a client, However, the prudent thing to do is to always defer to an expert. This is what is in the best interest of ourselves and our clients.
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