IS *SOLD* THE SAME THING AS *UNDER DEPOSIT*?

Valerie -- I definitely wait until the purchase has actually recorded with the county -- then it's actually sold -- then the postcard(ready) is sent.

Really almost anything can happen after we enter contract.  So no I probably would not use sold.

Yes, definitely premature -- as we know, anything can happen on the road to closing.   

Valerie, there's nothing wrong with tooting your own horn, but it's best to do it when the audience has shown up and not necessarily during the warm ups. The conductor may decide you're not needed today, and then there's a lot of explaining to do.

Valerie, that is taking a big risk of walking away with egg all over their face if it does not close.

Valerie, these agents are playing with words. When they say "sold" they give the impression the propery has closed. I guess to them "sold" means they have buyer who has put a deposit/contract on the property. This is misleading and will come back to "bite" them.

Valerie, I would not advertise properties saying'under contract' but rather when they are closed and recorded. You are right, anything could happen during due diligence...and it usually does!

There is a reason -- and sometimes many reasons -- why real estate agents aren't the most admired profession in the nation.

Hi Val,  How are you doing, miss seeing you here in the rain.  Hope you have a great holiday.

He'll just have to send cards out all over again if it turns into a 'do over'.

In our market, agents do the same thing!  I see SOLD riders on signs instead of PENDING riders all the time.  It's deceptive, we all know it.  And it's an ethics violation. 

I see no logical reason for this because so many contracts don't close.  It's better to wait until closing to advertise that a property is sold.

It's difficult to educate the public with all the misinformation on the Internet.  So many sites pull your listings to market them but don't update price/status changes.  All we can do is concentrate on doing the best we can do and not bad mouth others that don't always do the right thing.

Valerie, This has happened to me, so, I thought I would share with you.  I have sold and closed properties.  Not always my listing.  However, after the closing it is legal and appropriate for you, as the selling agent to advertise that sale.  The mls was incorrect.  It happens.  Deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

I have, also, had other agents declare that they sold my listings, when in fact, they were not the selling agency or agent.  I have seen ads, online, from other agencies, advertising my listings!

Little bumps in marketing, here and there.  Funny, my clients are the ones who call to let me know when other agents are marketing my listings!  Little do those agents know, they just reaffirmed my client's trust in me!