I'd love to believe that everyone is on the up and up and I could always trust them, but that would be foolish.
The evidence is in front of us, sometime in a really apparent fashion if we're just willing to keep our eyes wide open.
Case #1: There are a few things that come through my email that pique my attention. An email that includes "Referral" in the subject line is sure to catch my eye!
But a closer exam tells me it's a scam.
What agent writes another "Dear Agent"?
Why does the sending email not even remotely like the name of the sending agent?
And a quick Google of the name tells me that while there are agents with that name, they're not in Fairhope, AL as the email signature block.
Yep, I'm not sure what the angle of the scam is, but it can't be good.
Case #2: Cruising through a real estate Facebook group at agent was asking about some company that would "award" a "10 Best Agent" type designation. A logo, a plaque and all an agent has to do is pay the annual fee. No actual qualifications around transactions completed, customer service reviews or anything else. Pay the dimes, get the log, advertise to the public how you're a "10 Best Agent" and hope none of them ask any questions. And the agent's rationalization? It's just "marketing".
Case #3: (and I see this one pretty regularly). It's the claim to be an expert. Go in any real estate group and you'll find them. There to teach you the "secrets" for a mere $799, but ONLY $399 if you act TODAY. Or go in a referral group any time there's one for your local market. Watch all the volunteers that claim to be the expert for your turf and hardly do any business at all. A quick check of their MLS production numbers tells you they've got no business making their claims.
And while I'd rather not think ill of people, "trust but verify" seems to be the mantra for protecting myself and my clients.
Bill of Liz and Bill aka BLiz
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