The State of California doesn't have a Code of Ethics..... This article is Part Two of a series arguing for the reinstatement of the Department of Real Estate (DRE)’s code of ethics. If you haven’t already, take a look at Part One, which provides context for the...
Realtor Training
Turbulence
https://twitter.com/bradInman/status/1011730002570719232 For an industry that has been stagnant and mostly unaffected by disintermediation/disruption over the last couple of decades, you get the feeling that change might be afoot now. It's asking a lot, but what we...
More on Pocket Listings
The standard knee-jerk response about pocket listings is to insist that some sellers don't want to be on the open market for personal reasons, and that's fine. In reality, those should be limited to major Hollywood icons who are unsure of how much their star-power...
The Trojan Horse of Real Estate Sales
What never gets mentioned is that every realtor has signed an agreement to share their listings with one another. This is how realtors are destroying the industry from within - because we foster the illusion of having a cooperative MLS but are happy to deprive our...
Dual Agency Case Upheld
Our contracts are ten pages of legalese designed specifically to protect realtors from lawsuits. Would the outcome have been different if the plaintiff sued his own agent too? From the OCR: A Coldwell Banker real estate agent at the center of a dispute that went to...
Dual Agency?
If he signed an agreement to represent both parties, he's got some explaining to do (H/T daytrip): The owners of a historic Hollywood Hills home have sued “Million Dollar Listing” star agent Josh Altman for fraud and breach of contract for allegedly duping them into a...
How Buyers And Sellers Get Screwed
Another reason for the industry to commit to full transparency and the auction method of selling homes - our Code of Ethics doesn't help much: Q: I submitted an offer for a buyer client that was near the full listing price and asked the listing broker if any other...
Real Estate Tip Line
Our San Diego MLS quietly removed our complaint button recently. I'm sure they had heavy volume, but they aren't the realtor police - nobody is. Hat tip to SM for sending this in: VANCOUVER – The province is hoping to make it easier for you to report suspected...
Operation Transparency
This is the fourth installment of my essay on the future of real estate sales. I'll send this along to Brad Inman, who is gathering thoughts for a leadership conference at the end of March, so they have my perspective from the street. In summary: The unconscious...
What A Realtor Does
Typically, if you want to know what a realtor does to sell your house, you have them over to make a listing presentation in person. Because of antitrust laws that 'promote fair competition for the benefit of consumers', the commission rates charged by realtors are...