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SMARTMONEY MAG SMEARS REALTORS - "I WON'T LET TERMITES - OR PESKY INSPECTORS - KILL A DEAL"

By
Real Estate Agent with Inactive

SMARTMONEY MAGAZINE article by SmartMoney Magazine Staff Published July 7, 2009

The tone of this article is wrought with shameless self promotion for the magazine and the named sources that are quoted in it. The writer(s) also make reference to quotes from un-named sources in a very unprofessional job of reporting. They are creating a story and their story in untrue

"I won't let termites - pesky inspectors - kill a deal - The writer(s) cite Steve VanGrack, former chairman of the Maryland Real Estate Commission for the following statement: "We have had cases where [brokers have] been deceptive about termites and flood damage."

Then the writer(s) cite S. Woody Dawson, a structural inspector and owner of Dawson Inspections in Connecticut for the following statements:

1) "One time I had a broker tell me that unless I told her the results of my inspection - which is confidential between myself and my client - she wouldn't let me get up on the roof,"

2) "I got out my ladder and told her that unless she was big enough to stop me, I was going up there - she wasn't big enough."

The writer(s) summarize by making the following statement: "What you need to worry about , though, are the home's features that he [the broker] keeps to himself."

The writer(s) is/are generalizing an indiviual incident and using a broad brush to paint a dark portrait  in an overt attempt to defame Real Estate Brokers and their profession.

Write to your State and National Association of Realtors.

Posted by

George Bennett, Principal Broker, Affiliated, GRI in Port Orford, OR 97465

Affiliated with 'Neath The Wind Realty Inc.

Comments (4)

Maria Morton
Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

George, has a lawsuit been filed yet? I'd be interested in hearing more about this libelous article as well as how the NAR has responded.

Jul 12, 2009 06:34 AM
George Bennett
Inactive - Port Orford, OR
Inactive Principal Broker, GRI

Hi Maria, I can't wait to read NAR's response. Hopefully they will get it out a.s.a.p.

Jul 12, 2009 10:22 AM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Thank you for bringing this to my attention.  It will be interesting to see what, if anything, happens with this article.

Jul 12, 2009 11:21 PM
George Bennett
Inactive - Port Orford, OR
Inactive Principal Broker, GRI

Hi Judi, Yes it will. Thanks for stopping by.

Jul 13, 2009 05:00 AM