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**Disclaimer for this blog and any others I may have written in the past**

By
Real Estate Agent with Realty Executives

Have you ever worried about what you wrote on ActiveRain could come back to bite you where the sun don't shine?  Maybe you've had an experience where this has actually happened. 

As Realtors most of us are usually very cafeful about putting a disclaimer on any printed marketing material we give out.  Usually something that says we are not soliciting an active listing and/or that the content about specific facts is not guaranteed.

Well, if all that is so, what about everything that we blog on ActiveRain?  We are constantly sharing information and our opinions on the market and many other things as well.  How much are we putting ourselves at risk?  Is there a way we could protect ourselves better?  Should we add a blanket disclaimer at the end of every blog we write? 

ActiveRain is such a great resource for real estate professionals and the general public.  But what can we do to protect ourselves in the cyberspace world that maybe we are overlooking because it is an online blog?  Would we be exposing ourselves to liability if it wasn't online?  Thank you for your thoughts and advice!! 

 

Posted by

Susan Manning

Comments(7)

Katharine Carey
eXp Realty - Bellingham, WA
Perhaps there would be a disclaimer written by the legal peeps for us to put on our appropriate blogs. I have seen posts stating that you need to have your lawyer look it over. At $250/hr 1 hr min. For a sentence...
May 01, 2008 11:01 AM
Susan Manning
Realty Executives - Temecula, CA
Exactly Katharine!!  Blogging is such a relatively new medium there's got to be some kind of guidance system on what is and isn't kosher!
May 01, 2008 11:03 AM
Patrick Lambert
ALLY Real Estate - Waikoloa, HI
Hawaii Real Estate Expert

Like the saying goes "what's in writing". You pose a great question Susan. I think that what we share here as professionals is mostly opinion or personal experience. Those opinions really can't be relied upon as facts. As we learn about each other in the community you begin to notice what can be counted on as reliable information. But, that is among us professionals and I don't think any weight should be put on accountability of mis information.. we simply share our opinion that the person may be mis informed by commenting. Everyone is learning and continuing to learn and we all help each other by sharing. HOWEVER , what we post the consumer on localism is whole different story.

May 01, 2008 11:04 AM
Susan Manning
Realty Executives - Temecula, CA
Okay, I see your line of thinking Patrick. Maybe there should be a disclaimer for Localism?  But what about the consumers who are surfing the net and come across a members only blog?  Either way, I feel a bit exposed. 
May 01, 2008 11:06 AM
Jimmy McCall
JimmyMcCall.com - Cunningham, TN
The Ex-Mortgage Consultant
Susan, I guess we could have a disclaimer in our profile section of the blog.  We can refer to it when needed.
May 01, 2008 11:18 AM
Robin Sherman
www.PensacolaForYou.com - Grand Points Realty - Pensacola, FL
Search Pensacola Homes, For Sale - Pensacola FL Neighborhoods
There are a lot of bloggers here who have disclaimers on their posts. I have read some posts specifically on this topic. Try the search function using the work disclaimer and I bet you will find some good information. Adding a disclaimer is something I've been meaning to get around to . . .
May 01, 2008 11:29 AM
Susan Manning
Realty Executives - Temecula, CA

Jimmy: The thing about having it in our profile section is that you can't see it when you are reading the blog.  But some maintenance prevention is better than none...I agree.

Robin:  Thanks for the heads up about other AR disclaimers.  A search is just the ticket!

May 01, 2008 11:39 AM