We all have heard incidences, not coincidences but INCIDENCES where a professional in the Real Estate Industry really steps over the line. Or...a professional who may not be in the industry directly ...but indirectly.... who steps over that line to the point they could be in serious trouble with liabilty cases smacked right on their behinds at the blink of an eye.
For instance:
- The Real Estate Agent who plays home inspector, or contractor or loan officer all in one and gives advice that is totally wrong. Please stick to what you are trained for UNLESS you have a license for all! Even then, if you have a license for all of that then I beg to differ when you say it isn't a conflict of interest.
- The Loan Officer who plays Realtor® and tells the client how their Realtor® should write their contract. Please stick to what you are trained for UNLESS you have a license! Again, conflict of
interest. - The Mold Inspector who writes a report for a tenant and inserts the Landlord Tenant code so the tenant can get new air conditioning units. Please stick to what you are trained for....UNLESS you are licensed and a certified inspector AND a Property Manager too. Conflict of interest.
- The Home Inspector who plays electrical contractor and blows out of the proportion that GFCI outlets are not an electrical problem but a suggestion to .... update. Please stick to what you are trained for and if you don't have a license for being an electrician don't scare the buyer into thinking there are huge problems. Hmmm. ......
- The 'friend' who plays plumber (for a home inspection and tells the buyer that the running toilet is cause for backing out of a contract. Please stick to being an aquaintance and not a friend because you just talked your 'friend' out a home they really loved.
- The mother or father who plays Realtor® because they bought a house in the past and suggests that they don't need their own Buyer's agent because they'll get a better deal through the seller's agent. Please stick to being a parent and not a Realtor® when you did not get the representation you needed and now have structural issues in your own home.
- The advertising EXPERT in whatever field. Make sure you really know what you're talking about if you advertise that you do.
Bottom line, we all like to be 'helpful' but it could cost you your license, your reputation and your business for giving information that you are not qualified to give. Refer the 'client' to a professional and make sure that "professional" is licensed or knowledgable in the advice they give. Be aware of the professional who is out to give all kinds of information (the know it all) ....there will definitely be an ulterior motive.
I love my license....how about you?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com
Comments(80)