Most of the time when someone calls a real estate office they can expect answers, so why I can't say yes might sound strange. So I will explain a recent call and hope that other callers will understand why I can't always give you an answer.
A gentleman called my office and when I answered he asked if I could answer a real estate question for him. He went on to tell me he had been reading my blogs and looking for an answer, but couldn't seem to find one. I asked, "what's your question?"
It was one of those times when I had to say, "no sir, I can't give you any advise other than to read your contract and consult with a real estate attorney."
I won't go into his situation, but I will say it wasn't a Purchase and Sale agreement, but a listing agreement with another firm. And it wasn't a question about getting out of his agreement and listing his house with me, but rather a question about the content of his agreement. An agreement I haven't seen, nor do I intend to see. In fact, he wasn't even in my area, so I would never be listing his home.
I see it all the time where consumers post questions on the Internet and agents flock to answer those questions and give advice. BIG FAT NO NO. I just don't understand why some agents don't understand the ethics of not interfering with a client/brokerage relationship that is already in place. The ONLY advice that an agent acting in a professional manner should give when a person is engaged in a contract with another agent is to talk to the broker and/or a real estate attorney. Even if I KNOW the answer to question they are asking, if they are a client of another agent it's my ethical duty to not interfere. Brokers need to make sure their agents understand this as well. I'm sure that man called some other offices until he got an answer, but not this girl. I'm not going there.
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