Comments on: Advertising Vs. Reality

By: Jennifer Hart

Jennifer Hart — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:01:39 +0000

Teresa, thanks for your comment on “perception”. Although there are no snow banks in Austin, TX, agents have other weather worries. I do agree that how you are dressed does not make you a good or bad agent.

I try to consider all factors when readying myself to meet a client: How many homes we will look at in one day, is it 110 degrees outside, will you be walking new construction lots in the rain?

Let’s keep it Informal, friendly and real. It’s the end result of a job well done that matters most.

By: teresa boardman

teresa boardman — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:19:14 +0000

LOL Here in Minnesota we are built pretty tough LOL

By: Barry Cunningham

Barry Cunningham — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:36:21 +0000

“Yesterday I trudged through knee deep snow”..never going to happen. I’ll deal with a possible hurricane just so I never have to ever say again that I “trudged through knee deep snow”

By: Robin Sing

Robin Sing — Thu, 22 May 2008 01:12:20 +0000

Theresa Boardman’s posts are so informative. Ok..I’m a fan, and I’m learning! Can’t beat that!

By: Bonnie Erickson

Bonnie Erickson — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 07:16:29 +0000

Whew! Finally read all the comments and who would have guessed a dress code post would generate so much ire!

T, I’m with you. Most winter days I’m in slacks with a jacket or colored jeans with matching jacket. That dress code is even more necessary now with so many foreclosures on the market that don’t shovel or are not well cleaned inside. Heels . . . well, it wouldn’t matter if I wore a suit or not, heels are a male invention to kill women’s arches and make their calves look good (strictly in jest, guys). The irony of the NAR ad is that the most wealthy clients I’ve worked with dressed casually. They’re realistic about house tours and recognize that ease of getting in and out of the car, in and out of shoes, checking landscaping, etc., are better done in casual attire.

As to NAR membership . . . THEY are listening! I do, however, resent that the public can mangle the use of REALTOR® however they want to, but if we, as members, use it incorrectly, we’re screwed. What’s the point of having a NAME if it only means we’re members of a club that we enter by fee? We don’t even have to earn the right, just pay the fee! If we can’t use the term to describe our occupation, identify that we are our client’s “R”, use it in our domain names or paper ads except in narrowly prescribed ways, use it in e-mail, etc., how does it set us apart from a real estate agent? It doesn’t EXCEPT I have to be a member in order to use the MLS. And I can’t even use the term MLS to describe the IDX feed I have on my website. Anyone else who is NOT a member can use the term, but not the privileged card carrying elite! The public thinks I’m a realtor (lower case used on purpose because the public doesn’t know better), not a real estate agent. They don’t know the difference and they wouldn’t care if they did know the difference. The code doesn’t make agents ethical. I am ethical because I always was ethical. The reason I adhere to the rules for use of the term REALTOR® is because my ethics are to follow the rules. It’s not because the rules say I have to!

By: Teresa Boardman

Teresa Boardman — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:49:10 +0000

Two years ago I got a cease and desist letter from the NAR about one of my sites. I believed I had invented a new word, but the NAR did not see it that way. I ended up talking to a lawyer who told me that NAR would not be able to prevent a non-Realtor from using the domain name but could prevent me from doing so as I am a member. I decided to keep the domain name. I put it in a family members name who does not have a real estate license and I am not using it in my business. The domain name worked well for me and I plan on selling it eventually.

By: Jay Thompson

Jay Thompson — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 07:07:35 +0000

We have to work in family stuff?!

This has been a great thread, and thanks Bill for contributing so much food for thought!

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:10:17 +0000

I’m not complaining about either site – I’m pointing out selective enforcement of the Code of Ethics. This board won’t push the issue with those sites, while others in other parts of the country are forcing agents to abandon their sites. Tell me again how that is not selective.

By: Bill Lublin

Bill Lublin — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:56:14 +0000

Bob; I didn’t mention the name of the other site that Sean mentioned because the agent’s name was on the site – I think he was under the understandable impression that the second site was not operated by a real estate broker – I was just pointing out that it was- and enforcement of the code is not automatic – it usually starts by having someone in that local market make a complaint if they see an unethical action – if someone makes that complaint, and the respondent is treated differently then someone else is treated, then we can talk about how they are not treated uniformly, but in this instance it looks like the owners of both these sites are getting a pass from their colleagues -

By: Bill Lublin

Bill Lublin — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:48:25 +0000

@ Jay- I understand the struggle, and I remember when I opened my office as an independent 25 years ago – my plate was full with working in the business and balancing my family stuff as well – But I gotta tell ya – you’re the kind of participant that makes Associations better – and I hope that you have the opportunity to do some of that stuff when you;re ready – and the closer you get , the more you’ll see, and where you see good thigns you;ll support them and where you see things that need to be done, you’ll work to change them – and its all about the journey-