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DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR ME!

I was called by a news reporter this morning and immediately I said no! I do not want to answer questions!

He said he got my name off Active Rain (and calling all the way to Hawaii mind you). At least he wasn't one of those pushy obnoxious types. He said he understood and we hung up.

I am one to be cautious of what I say on AR due to being in the public eye. Now even more so with the 60 minutes piece that I did not even watch! But I did read the newpiece here: 60 Minutes and I do have my opinions and have commented.

There is one thing that was clear (to me) in that moment of answering my cell phone.

I did not trust the news before (unless I saw it with my own eyes) because I have watched the media "control" our market and I definitely am skeptical NOW! Don't you folks notice that about the news and media? The Real Estate market has taken a plunge! It's going back up! The interest rates are inching up! The interest rates went down!

And now this!

I asked this morning......So tell me. Should I have "vented" to this newsman from the mainland? I do believe even as respectable Real Estate Industry Professionals our laws and structure differ from state to state and office to office.

Update: Now I know that I did the right thing! NAR went about it the right way. Well thought out and "structured: response. Above all, respectfully giving "our" side of the story...which was blatantly disregarded when NAR had conferred with them previously throughout the prior months in preparation to be aired with NAR's side of the story. Hmmmm.

Look in the comment section below at Mike's comment...he was right! Following is the link to NAR Responds to 60 Minutes' May 13, 2007 Segment.

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate on 05/14/2007 11:53 AM

Comments (35)

mililani, century 21, hawaii real estate agent, hawaii homes for sale

Originally posted at: Hawaii Real Estate & Relocations : DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR ME!

This post has been included in Hawaii Information Honolulu County, HI Information

35 Comments on DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR ME!

MAY

2007

Oh Sally, I don't blame you at all...After seeing that report, your words could have been twisted. Someone posted on how to talk with reporters... Only agree if you are going to see a copy of the write up AND have an opportunity to correct or have your comments deleted. This agreement needs to be in writing!

Good job notifying the rest of us. Some would start talking and then think!

Sally -(Watching what I say!) ;-) Here here! I don't watch or listen to the news because of the misinformation and negativity they spew.

After writing my post, 60 Minutes -- "Et tu, Brutae?" , and sending an email to Lesley Stahl, I am hafl-expecting to get a call myself...

You should read Your Active Rain Blog: Your In-House Public Relations Department which is a great post about dealing with calls from reporters.

Chances are like all news reporters and paper reporters, any story you gave would be twisted right in the ground....Lose Lose situation

Teri: Thanks for support! How many times do I try to write posts on watching what we talk about...because even on here it can be misconstrued!

Phillip: I watch the first part of our local news...and then that's it.

Mark: It's too bad we feel that way because the news is supposed to be informing the public of.....truth? Again...COE for everyone!

Rich: I read your post when you first posted it last night! Wonderful response and to the point. All I did was comment and get a call all the way over here in Hawaii!!!

I agree, I would not talk to the press, as the information can become twisted based on the bias of the reporter.

This is what our associations should be responsible for. NAR should be preparing and issuing a press statement.

Mike: I saw a long distance number...thought it might be someone from AR....and when he identified himself...my heart just jumped...immediately red flags went up! I caution everyone because this guy said he found me on Active Rain!

Well let's see...... I don't trust the press but will talk to them if asked. It would be fun. My thought is that by not agreeing it's almost like I have something to hide. If they choose to twist what I say then really that's a reflection on them not me. But then, I live in my own little world.

If we lived in a perfect world, there should be nothing to fear in an interview. We don't however live there in that perfect world. That place may be out there in the univiverse somewhere, but it doesn't have water so only cactus and camels live there,lol' . The last time I checked they don't talk much, excpet to each other.lol

Seriously,you did the right thing. The one thing that stood out last night was that the presentation ended rather ubruptly, didn't you think?

A few questions that weren't asked, seem to have let Redfin off the hook. No big deal though. I thought it was interesting that he used REALTORS to discribe the people that worked for him in his business model. Who knows, maybe he joined the local association and they are REALTORS. It's a sort of " Pay your money and take your choice,LOL

If anyone wants to talk to this person...I have his number...he is from Oakland CA.

BB: just emailed you....

William: I did the right thing for me...I am not one of those quick witted people who have come back lines right of the bat. (maybe age kicking in?) I even said in my post...I didn't watch it! I read it all here and on their site!

Sally, I don't think it's worth it. They would just twist your words anyhow.

Sally, I think you did good too. Nothing is worse the twisted words, and you can't take back something you never said.

Sally, How at least you know A/R works it got your phone to ring. Not the way we want though..

Never talk to the press. There is no way you can know what their motive is.

Steph: Yup...my thoughts exactly

Lysa: No kidding! And I'm still sitting her stumped as to why I was called....maybe he thought I was naive?

Matt: Yeah.....not the way I wanted.

Greg: Too bad....huh? The only time I have talked to news is for a piece they did on our market back in 2005.

Sally - Thanks for sharing. No, you should not "vent", they will probably document and report it!

Saving $$ is always attractive, but I know the service is compromised. My manager once asked me to sit an open-house for a flat-fee Realtor. I literally sat FOR them, as I was by myself. I had to pick up/return the open house signs to their office. And I am a LENDER so I didn't feel right answering any questions about the home. I did pick up a client from the open, but it hasn't gotten anywhere yet...

Have you folks been affected by these "e-Realtors" and flat-rate Realtors?

No, comment is the right approach. It simply leaves nothing else to talk about. Any comment you made could have been taken and printed out of context. I feel that it is wasted effort to knock the other guy no matter what his or her business model happens to be. I also think all the links back to the broadcast and the companies involved are not doing us any good either. Let it die, it will be over in a day or two.

Rich you wrote a great letter, don't hold your breath while waiting on your phone call.

REaltor, Columbus Ga

Pete: I have seen situations such as this before as well....there's a lot who hold their COE close to their minds and hearts.....and then there are some who don't. Personally, I would have NOT done the Open.

Klaus: I do stand up for me and what I do as a seriously good agent who abides by the Code of Ethics...not because they are there....but for me and thinking of my client's best interests...as well as being able to go to sleep at night. Did you forget to log in?

Funny..where did the reporter say he was calling from?

How did you leave it with them? I took a little flack on my post DID REDFIN SHOW UP OR DID THEY CONDUCT THE INTERVIEW FROM THEIR COMPUTER?..but that's ok I believe my services are much more valuable and if someone does not agree then let them do business elsewhere.

Oakland, California...still got his number...weird...

Leave it with him? I didn't say a word...nor did I want to...will go read yours...but you know me Neal...I hate conflict! Just be proud of who you are and what you do!

Ah...I think this ran its course.

And so the story goes...we can all give our personal opinions to CBS as NAR suggests....but bottom line...I think I will just continue what I do best....thinking in the best interests of my client's!

I don't even have the stomach to watch the news. It has turned me off for years and I don't believe a word they say. BTW, I found this and thought of you

hula smiley

It's actually animated on my computer, but it won't upload that way :(

Sally - I would have done the same thing you did - I would not have responded - they obviously have their opinion and do not place the value in our services that we do.

Lisa: You gotta upload to your website (gotta make a new file) and then you can download to AR. For animations gotta do it differently...Ray Saenz taught me how...he did a post on that so go check it out. And thank you! Email it to me! Use contact form and then I'll email you back....

Thesa: Yup....I think I'm kinda burnt on the subject...how about you? Just gotta do what we do best....and maybe...sooner or later the weeding out will get the ones out who give our profession a bad name!

MAY

2007

I would have talked to him if he called. As long as he promised to spell my name right, I wouldn't mind.

Sally i agree with you it is a matter of time they will disappear from the real estate profession.

Randy: You too are brave like BB....I'll pass....I don't have quick come backs like you guys ....and I tend to get emotional.

Paul: Yup!

MAY

2007

<b>Sally~</b> Yes you did do the right thing, i expect it was challenging to bite your tongue though! Sometimes you just want to give those bullys a couple good cracks (verbally), but thats what they want...and they will manipulate you and everything you say to appear as negative and twisted as possible!

I really appreciate you posting NAR's response to the 60 minutes situation...that kind of info really needs to get around. Mahalo~

Trevella: I believe that the "news" always has their own way or reporting....it's up to the people if they want to delve deeper for the truth!~

Very true Sally, but sadly enough most of us don't look any deeper (who has the time?), and you can educate people only so much (then they stone you and run you out of town...) Have a great MONDAY!

Yummy...i love persimmons...

I'm having a hectic monday...but thanks for dropping by again..hmm...strawberries...with plenty of whipped creammm.....

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