We can probably expect that entertaining real estate videos will be in the next wave of realtor marketing:
Jim Klinge
Klinge Realty Group
Broker-Associate, Compass
Are you looking for an experienced agent to help you buy or sell a home?
Contact Jim the Realtor!
- 682 S. Coast Hwy 101, Suite #110
Encinitas, CA 92024 - (858) 997-3801 call or text
- klingerealty@gmail.com
CA DRE #01527365, CA DRE #00873197
Vids are lazy. Putting pen to paper or whatever modern equivalent invokes thought and organization. It’s easy to rattle off 2400 sq ft but it takes effort to type out 2440 sq ft per county records. And it takes even more effort to understand the reason you HAVE to say it that way. Same for things like describing the view. No effort to show on the video the peek-a-boo ocean but harder to put down in writing “ocean view for now” when you know about the development that will spoil the view.
Good point – and buyers should beware, because there isn’t a big push in the industry to do more disclosure.
Speaking of disclosure, and in light of our MLS issuing an update yesterday that we have improved school categories on our listings, this came from the higher-ups yesterday:
As real estate agents we are not allowed to speak about schools. Personally I think this is somewhat insane, but the law is clear: The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was designed to eliminate discrimination and prevents agents from speaking to crime, demographics and schools. It is designed to prevent any form of discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, disability, sex, or familial status. Speaking to buyers about schools may imply that a neighborhood is better suited to people with kids, and may not be welcoming to those without.
We all know certain areas – especially those with high real estate taxes – often deliver high quality schooling, something many buyers are deeply focused on. But agents cannot be the guides on this subject, just the way we are not licensed to be financial advisors. So what can you do to help the consumer? At yesterday’s outstanding meeting in Norther Westchester, an area unfairly stigmatized for high real estate taxes while delivering some of the best schools in the USA, Heather Harrison told us how she has worked with the local school district to create pamphlets that tout the outstanding school system. Pamphlets of this nature may be handed to interested parties, as well as guiding prospective buyers to websites that address all details around schools in great detail.
When you as an agent say: “This house is in a perfect family neighborhood with great schools!” you are breaking the law. Be wary of this law while also guiding your clients and customers towards the information that helps them address their needs and answer questions you as an agent cannot answer.
I’d love to go through a listing and add whitty comments to some of the pictures to see if they get any more traffic.
“30 foot vaulted cielings – your pet giraffes will love you”
“This kitchen may not look like much, but it’s super efficient. The owners cooked Christmas dinner for 30 people in only 7 minutes.”
“You think it’s a regular bathroom, but the toilet was made by leprechauns and everything that drops into it turns to gold.”
Cute, but I don’t know about this one. All it did was show me how easy it is for intruders to climb the stairs directly from the beach and break into that home! LOL!