Fact-check with a local REALTOR®

Fact-checking. It is one of those buzzwords in the news lately. Facebook just announced that the company is working on a number of measures to get a handle on fake news that are being shared on its network. There's one (? I should fact-check that) person who thinks that his fake news business may have helped the PEOTUS win. Reading the excerpt from his interview with The Washington Post can make you mad! Fair warning. The whole idea of somebody making a living by inventing and spreading fake news - and possibly influencing world events - can make you mad. It made me mad.

But then I thought about Real Estate (that always makes me feel better) and how that whole business of fake news and the call to fact-check is nothing new in our world.

We have been doing it in our industry for years. For years we've been alerting - or trying our best at least - consumers and clients about inaccurate data, false listing statuses, value guesstimates and rental scams that are all over the world wide web.

There are so many "3rd party listing aggregating sites" (fancy for taking REALTOR® data to attract business to then make money of the REALTORS® - and in some cases consumers, too - they took said data from).

It's not unusual for Real Estate consumers to find homes listed online that are, in fact, not actually on the market (anymore). Or homes for rent listed at a price that is too good to be true. Or information about a home that is outdated and inaccurate. Or ... 

So what's a consumer to do? Fact-check with a local REALTOR®. 

As a local REALTOR® in Silver Spring, MD and beyond I have the accurate data at my fingertips. Just a few strokes with my keyboard is all it takes to access the most accurate data there is about homes for sale and those that are not, the Multiple Listing Service - coupled with county tax records, tax assessor sites, plats.net, knowledge and experience. I know where to look and verify and I know who to contact should I have doubts about the facts I find. That is the ultimate fact-checking service for all buyers and sellers! 

When it comes to fake news on the world wide web, be aware and fact-check before you share. When it comes to REAL ESTATE, fact-check with a local REALTOR®.

ANDREA BEDARD, M.A. ~ THOMPSON COMPANY, REALTORS ~

Thompson Company, REALTORS 15711 New Hampshire Ave Silver Spring, MD 20905 o: (301) 384-9177 c: (240)593-2860 andreabedard.re@gmail.com Andrea is a REALTOR® based in Silver Spring, MD. She has enjoyed assisting buyers and sellers since 2004 and focuses on residential Real Estate in  Montgomery and Howard County, MD. Andrea is a proud mom and hobby decorator with a vintage soul. She always answers the phone with a smile, enjoys running and treasure hunting and is addicted to coffee.    All photographs are my own and I'd like to keep it that way. All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.