If you’re a real estate blogger, read the post that Joe at Sellsius has just written – How to IDIOT Proof Your Blog From Lawsuits.
“T” seems to be so simple that it shouldn’t need to be said, but it does:
T: Tell the truth. Truth is an absolute and complete defense against any libel lawsuit.
Life/blogging/real estate should be so simple.
Dad, Husband, Charlottesville Realtor, real estate Blogger, occasional speaker - Inman Connects, NAR Conferences - based in Charlottesville, Virginia. A native Virginian, I graduated from VMI in 1998, am a third generation Realtor (since 2001) and have been "publishing" as a real estate blogger since January 2005. I've chosen to get involved in Realtor Associations on the local, state & national levels, having served on the NAR's RPR & MLS groups. Find me in Charlottesville, Crozet and Twitter.
Email Jim Duncan
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The business camp you cannot afford to miss...
While the truth is a defense, its only if you can prove it. And it doesn't stop you from getting sued if a person has enough money and an axe to grind against you. It just means your lawyer bills may be slightly lower when he defends you in the case.
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LikeThe pic says it all. Laughed my ass off. Thanks
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LikeNope, they figured I would be a rocket scientist but RocketMan was already taken... It's just turned into a sort of nickname here in my area. People see me, and say "you're that Title Rep" guy...
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LikeHi TitleRep, this is Benn/Agent Genius Did your parents assume you would be a TitleRep, thus name you TitleRep? ;)
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LikeLike I told Joe when we interviewed him on our show yesterday about this...if you run things as a business you will have no problems, or at minimum you will be prepared to handle problems when they come along. Too many agents are out there putting fingers to keyboards thinking they are protected by some misguided interpretation of Free Speech doctrine. Surprise!! You can't just write anything you want...well you can but then you better be prepared for the inevitable. It's a simply knowing how to operate your business. Most don't and they leave themselves open for liability. Like getting a RE license, the barrier to entry is WAY too low for blogging. Obviously the people here like we did as well..consulted an attorney and provide a link and terms of usage. What's that old adage about an ounce of prevention?
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LikeThe biggest problem is people that "think" something is the truth and it isn't. Such as the Miami condo blogger vs. the big wig builder case. While it's important to tell the truth, it is equally or probably even more important to check the facts. But, like Benn, this is just my opinion and I too have added a disclaimer to my blog. Soon we may need to add disclaimers to our comments as well!
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LikeWe've been following these steps for some time. Notice the title bar, and our legal/disclaimer http://agentgenius.com/?page_id=2039 and btw, this is just my opinion.
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