When Feedback goes Public

This sounds like it may be a bit troublesome if the reviews were misleading or deceptive. Contacting the reviewer or host with a correction may be extra work but necessary to make right.

Cheri Long - it seems anything goes now-a-days! Consumers and some companies have 'earned' the right to write anything they want because it's no man's land!

It is unfortunate that many believe that if it is on the internet, it must be true.  

We actually have a field for that in our MLS. And if it is "NO" to comments then they better not do it or they will be fined by our MLS in big bad way.  Not to mention my sellers make this election and they can sue.

Cheri, this is an interesting topic and I look forward to reading all the comments on this one.

There are 200 neighborhoods in the Franklin TN housing market. I haven't sold a home in every single neighborhood/subdivision but I have previewed or shown homes in many of these neigborhoods. I also produce approximately 30 market reports each month for the most active neighborhoods. While I never claim to be an expert, I've been in a lot of homes and feel I could objectively comment on their condition in comparison to other homes in the neighborhood. However, that doesn't mean I would.

I find buyers are much more willing to accept a home's imperfections than I am. I always reserve my opinion. If they find a home they believe is the one, I don't want to discourage them. If it's overpriced, I tell them. If they start asking questions about age of HVAC, roof or plumbing, I tell them that's what a home inspection is for.

It's not my job to persuade or dissuade buyers but to advise them once they've made a choice. 

I think the practice of having the agents go out to do reviews and become experts is a smart one, esp for new agents.  I don't think the public posting is appropriate though.  (also, BTW, on most review sites there is the opportunity to respond to the feedback...not sure where these are being posted).

I actually do something like this - except that I only do positive feedback.  I highlight a few new listings every week that I think are a good value and present them in a good light.  Then I give attribution to the listing brokerage.  Haven't had any complaints about that!

Cheri, that does seem a bit unfair to the seller and the listing agent, and what are the odds that the reviewer will get a chance to sell the house if his/her clients are reading the reviews as well?

This surprises me, although I don't know why it should. And I hope it doesn't catch on in my area in Sacramento because it would cause an uproar. It seems stupid, unfair and lopsided. We already have a dumbed-down to the lowest common demoninator website for reviews of everything from apples to zebras, available to anybody with a third finger in the air, we don't need competitors badmouthing sellers.

I don't think it's fair when they are doing it to hurt the possibility of closing the deal.  Why else would they go and publish it? 

I've heard about this before, years ago.  Someone posted a very negative thing about a home they toured and they were sued.  I don't believe feedback on a person's home is cool at all.

Cherie,

Just another reason I don't ever provide written feedback. This practice is horrible, and should be stopped.

Rich

Feedback written about the home should be limited to the listing agent and seller eyes only--whether positive or  negative.

I think we have some of the best reads out there on Active Rain. Thanks for sharing

Bot the type of behavior one would expect from a professional.  It hurts a lot of people not to mention the sellers

Cheri

This could become a bigger issue in the future. There is a relatively new site out there called Relola where agents can provide feedback to the public (I believe) on homes they have previewed

Legally I suspect there could be some issues from what an agent might share publicly if it in some way is viewed as harming the seller

Thanks for a well-deserved feature!

Jeff

I feel like in my state that would be viewed as unauthorized advertising if photos or addresses were used.  Frankly my MLS says IDX is the only way to advertise another firm's listings by the rules.  If I were one of those sellers my attorney would be filing