ethics: CROSSING OVER THAT FINE LINE
- 08/08/12 11:08 AM
Why would one professional in the Real Estate Industry step over the line into another’s profession? Not only is it wrong and unethical, but more often than not will kill a deal. Stepping over that fine line will not only create a bad reputation but they will risk losing their license and risk facing court action. STAY IN YOUR OWN AREA OF EXPERTISE. Not only is it the right way of doing business, IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO!!! If you are not a licensed real estate agent, then don’t pretend you are. If you are not an attorney, you … (58 comments)
ethics: The Road to RUIN or Success in Real Estate – YOU CHOOSE
- 04/21/10 08:16 AM
Honolulu County IS the island of Oahu. We're just one island of the chain of Hawaiian Islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. In other words, we aren't a huge state like the vast Continental United States and obviously it's not hard to run into people we know from time to time. I don't know about some, but many of us in the Real Estate Industry REALIZE that our reputation is all we have on such a small island. Stepping on another's toes, giving phone call slaps or virtual smacks for the sake of being "competitive" is a no-no ....in … (60 comments)
ethics: Releasing Personal Information About Clients
- 04/01/10 05:32 AM
Surely, when a loan officer preapproved a client we are sure that they have gotten permission from the client to release information to the Realtor® regarding their credit worthiness. I mean, we are supposed to be working together while thinking in the best interests of the client and everyone involved, right? In this day and age of the real estate market, we NEED to make sure that the loan officer they have chosen is telling us, the Realtors®, that our client is not just borderline by the hair of their chinny chin chin. We NEED to know that we are not … (18 comments)
ethics: The Wild Wild Web
- 01/13/10 09:53 AM
The wild, wild west was by all means an era where all was rugged with cowboys and Indians, pioneers and outlaws, gunslingers and LOTS of history. The west has been ‘tamed' and we know from history books and movies that it was surely a memorable time of a land to be conquered. After reading a local Honolulu news article about how we advertise on the web it came to mind that it's getting harder and harder to compete against the mindset of those that believe it's a ‘world' of buyer/seller beware syndrome. A so called ‘untamed' part of the real estate … (18 comments)
ethics: Will YOU Fill the Shoes of a Referral?
- 12/29/09 06:10 AM
When referring a client to another Realtor® we think in the best interests of our client. We interview the professional with the utmost care and keeping in mind that they will do their best to think in the best interests of our client as well. Granted, not always do we really ‘know' if it will be the right choice but we do our best to get the right professional to ‘click' with our client. Which brings us to: Why would I refer my client to YOU? Because you are not continuously bragging about yourself throughout the whole interview and you focus on … (59 comments)
ethics: Tips In Dealing With the Anonymous Cyberstalker
- 07/08/09 10:05 AM
We put ourselves out on the internet to market ourselves. We are blogging so that we can give a side of ourselves to the consumer and our peers so they are able to get to ‘know' the person behind the words. There will be many times that we cross paths with another that will leave a lasting impression regardless if they identify themselves or not. I've been trying to figure out a diplomatic way to write about something that happened to me a couple of weeks ago. I think I have the frame of mind that is needed, so bear with … (83 comments)
ethics: It Never Ceases to Amaze Me!
- 02/11/09 02:46 AM
All of us start to get those calls coming in for potential clients wanting to buy a home, sell a home or just general questions or feedback to one of our posts. I receive many emails though many are commenting on the beaches in Hawaii or the beautiful pictures of the mountains and blue skies and the tropical scenery. Then, there's a serious buyer and I immediately call and start setting them up with automatic notification of listings according to the criteria they have given me. More often than not, those buyers are are Relocating to Hawaii and have been reading … (32 comments)
ethics: "Professionals" Who Step OVER the Line & Into Liability Issues
- 01/26/09 03:42 PM
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 … (80 comments)
ethics: YOUR Online Presence & The Aftermath
- 11/02/08 07:07 PM
If there is one thing that I truly believe causes conflict with friendship and professional relationships is the behavior that comes with discussing and ranting about religious and political views. Okay, it's more than that. It's the trying to incite an online 'riot' of sorts. Yup, we all have our opinions and when it starts getting mean, nasty and downright negative it's disrespectful to this platform as well as the intent of this network. A REAL Estate Network. Then to top it all off with the ulterior motive of trying to force ones opinion down another persons throat it is then that it becomes unprofessional and downright judgmental and prejudiced. … (136 comments)
ethics: Please Educate YOUR Clients!!
- 10/11/08 04:47 PM
This afternoon my seller called me and said a woman knocked on his door. She said her husband was parking the car and they wanted to come in to look. My seller asks the woman if she has a Realtor® and she eagerly gives her Realtors® business card to him. My seller is great at following my instructions :) He hands the woman HER Realtors® business card and hands her mine while telling the woman she needs to let her Realtor® call me to make an appointment. Please educate your clients! My MLS agent instructions say to call the LISTOR (me) … (50 comments)
A Realtor® has eyes and ears open. Listening to a clients needs (or even wants) IS the most important part of my business. For instance, let's take the First Time Hawaii Home Buyer. As an example I'll use the First Time Hawaii Home Buyer who just Relocated to Hawaii and has no clue what the Hawaii Housing Market is like. It's a stressful and sometimes really scarey process for them and it is imperative that I keep a level head so I can be there for them and walk them through the whole process and relieve some of that … (42 comments)
ethics: GET Permission to Use Pictures, Video & Testimonials of Clients
- 06/22/08 03:57 PM
So, you want to use your clients pictures, videos and their "testimonial? How about the picture of your Hawaii Home Buyer standing in front of the home that just recorded? How about a video testimonial of the Hawaii Home Seller saying what a great Realtor® you are? How about just having fun with your clients? MAKE SURE you get a signed statement allowing you to use their pictures, videos and testimonials for any blogging, advertising and marketing. While explaining how blogging is a great way to tell the stories "with a little bit of me in it" or how am involved on many Real Estate forums … (47 comments)
ethics: Would You Have Turned "IT" Down?
- 06/12/08 12:34 PM
After receiving a call for a possible listing I gathered all that was needed for my listing appointment. With my Seller's Presentation Booklet (now so full I fear I will have to move on to a bigger portfolio or weed out unnecessary documents), the listing agreement and profile sheet typed out, the Seller's Real Property Disclosure form ready, the tax records, building permit from the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting site showing that an addition and alteration was done...but no detailed info, tax payments and so forth. Quite a bit of info and documents that I managed to get together … (71 comments)
ethics: A Hawaii Code of Ethics for TENANTS?
- 06/03/08 07:00 AM
Century 21 Liberty Homes is known for not just our outstanding agents in the Mililani area but for it's Property Management of over 100 rental units (single family, townhouses, condos). I am a Realtor -Associate® with Century 21 Liberty Homes and I also work in our office part time as support for our agents, property management and administration section. I have seen the worst of the worst as far as the devastation a tenant can cause and leave behind so I thought that a Code of Ethics would be great not just for Buyers and Sellers but for TENANTS too. At the very least … (24 comments)
ethics: Buyer & Seller Guidelines: Code of Ethics or Fantasy?
- 05/24/08 05:59 AM
Over a year ago I wrote the basic Real Estate Code of Ethics for the Buyer and Seller. I figured that we Real Estate Professionals abide by our Code of Ethics (REALTORS'® Pledge of Performance and Service) and if there were some sort of guidelines for the Buyer or Seller (on top of the Buyer's Representation Agreement or Listing Agreement) I would dream that they would follow them. Is it just fantasy? The following points I wrote before in the old post (and a couple more) and in parenthesis are my additional comments to give it a little humor:
I will be loyal and honest to my REALTOR® and respect … (42 comments)
ethics: I Went Out and Got a Life! A Life of Success!
- 04/03/08 12:53 PM
I often sit and ponder ...on this thing called life. Back then...and now. My life now surely is unlike when I was younger. Gung Ho! Sporadic, impulsive, not consistent, spur of the moment and a radical gal with a rebel attitude. Nothing could touch me (I thought) and I was invinsible (I thought) and not replaceable (I thought). That's what I get for thinking! My beliefs instilled; taught by my parents, and most likely passed on from their parents through generations of what they all believed...what was best for us. At some point, I became an adult and changed my beliefs to suit my own needs....or maybe not. My life … (57 comments)
ethics: Judge and the Jury
- 09/28/07 11:55 AM
Should family and friends get involved and give their "advice" in the property selling or purchase process of their family/friends when they are not a real estate agent? That is the question and "court is in session"! In life situations, as in business I believe there are two sides to everything. ALWAYS. Otherwise, how would I come to a decision of any one point being made? In this case I will look at the pros and cons of "helping" family and friends with their real estate decisions when they have an agent. It can be beneficial or it could be detrimental in the sale or purchase of … (84 comments)
Reading my blog will give you the human side of this Real Estate Industry Professional as well as allowing you to walk beside me through my writing about Hawaii Real Estate & our Local Area. As a resident of Honolulu County Hawaii for 42 years you will get a tour of a lifetime. Specializing in Hawaii Relocation Military VA Home Buyers you can be rest assured you will be in good hands. I LISTEN to YOUR needs and give you sound advice. Hawaii Relocations, Hawaii Military Relocations, Mililani Hawaii Real Estate, Living in Hawaii, Army Navy Air Force Marines in Hawaii. Read more at www.cheesemanhomes.com
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