Active Rain Q & A ~ Built-in Value All Around

Bryant has posted a blog on the Q&A thing KK... he gives some really good pointers.....

Yes... agents CAN get sued by giving BAD advice if it is taken by a person on here I think.....

KK- Good advice.  I went strolling through the Q&A just this morning to view some of the advice flying around out there in AR Land.  Some of it sounded fine.  Some, not so much.  I agree that we need to have a disclaimer, I am licensed in NC/SC, actively selling in the Charlotte metro region. Yadda, yadda.

People only need an excuse these days to sue someone.  We certainly don't need to offer ourselves up on a silver platter.  Some of the questions actually read like they could be testing someone.  I will tread lightly with this.  If someone wants more info they will ask. 

KK.... awesome... well done. I couldn't have done this better myself.

As you pointed out, if you aren't sure and just giving your opinion....check out the facts first. If you only think you know the answer, because you talked to your loan officer, get them to answer the question.

Example....  there was a question posted ask if they need a job if they moved to another state....etc etc... to show income. This is a true mortgage question. But 2 realtors answered it and their answers weren't correct. They didn't have all the real facts. This is misleading to the consumer now.

Overall.. again, I think you did a great job getting a few points across... that this can be very positive and beneficial for not only the client, but for us as members. But as you stated, think before you speak.

Now, maybe I need to get that program that you have for these illustrations.  ;o)  What was the name of it again.  

Thanks for calling attention to this KK.  It is indeed a slippery slope.  I especially cringe when people give advice on "agency" when it is sooo different in each locale.

I had not checked out the Q&A until BB's posts. It was scary!Mortgage people answering real estate questions. Non-residential agents offering to review residential contracts for people to see if they can get out of the contract (practicing law). Out-of-state agents answering questions on flood plain insurance. Out-of-state people advising whether certain amenities will increase/decrease a home's value. Out-of-state agents advising on encroachments. Unbelievable!

IMO, several of the questions those people answered just HAD to be from checkers as they weren't written the way a "regular" consumer would write them. Some people are going to be in deep doo-doo.

KK... I totally agree, that we as professionals should be held to higher standards. If I was a realtor, I would have a beef with a lender giving real estate advice. Sorry, but I am not sure where this is going. Did I say something that was perceived differently?  That's why I gave an example, because I could agree with what you said in your post.

Overall, I am shocked that discussion is minimal in this post. Not only did I think you did a great job writing it, but I think this is a great topic. I included it in my blog that I did earlier today.

Again, I agree that the Q & A looks like a garden ripe for such unworthy advice. Basically a time bomb waiting to explode. I think what they did is an awesome idea. But I think there should have been some ground rules laid. Advice is one thing, but opinion of what you think and not know is dangerous and could backfire in this group.

Here is that example that I had mentioned. Here, the one realtor is way off base in his response. If I,m selling a house in NJ and want to buy in another state Do I need a job in the state I want to buy ,So I,m able to get the balance need to buy the house?. ...   Just as you stated that loan officers should not be giving real estate answers. Giving an opinion is okay, followed by these words... This is my opinion....  but I would seek the help of a real estate professional.  

KK   lol... I am laughing about your last comment. "packing it in".   In regards to striking a cord with you, good. Meaning, it just shows that you are passionate about this stuff and that you just don't sit back and watch. That's what I have always liked about you. Just put it out on the table. That's how I operate.

In regards to these questions coming from "testers"... I am not an expert in this area. It makes sense. And I am sure I could analyze the question more so.... but hey, just a wait and see thing.  thanks for the post.

"I am licensed in Colorado and practice real estate in the Denver metro area, so my answer to you is about how we do it in our neck of the woods.  Please be sure to ask your question to a professional who is knowledgeable in the area you are referring too. Not all real estate advice is deemed equal."

Kristal you bring up some great points.  Not all answers will work everywhere, and in many cases it may be inappropriate to answer directly.  That's what our real estate continuing education teaches us.  None of us should be trying to play attorney. 

The Q&A is very new and very much a work in progress.  Hopefully we can turn it into something much more interactive and rewarding going forward.

Great post.

KK: in BB's article, several people mentioned that they should preface their answer with "in my opinion". I tend to disagree with that, as I don't think that relieves us from possible lawsuit. When I was taking the classes to get my license, they drilled into us that once we get our license, we can no longer have a "casual" conversation on real estate. It's like having a casual conversation with a CPA, lawyer or doctor. Everything we say is construed as "expert opinion/advice".

People answering for an area outside where they work are vulnerable. I wouldn't even answer a question for Cleveland, since I know they do things differently up there. Contracts are different. Customs are different. Local laws are different.

I plan to avoid the Q&A section. As you indicate, the actual email we receive from prospects reads much differently than the questions being asked here.

Thank KK- We are often so eager to assist we slip advise as a courtesy! I for one have ignored this category for lack of interest...until the last few days it brought much talk.

You really put this to the test and proved a much needed point. I am sure AR will come around and modify the terms and usage of such option. You always hit the nail on the head !