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I'm please to see this. It's something administrator and I discussed perhaps 6 months ago, or so. It's similar to a cruise ship forum In which I participate, in which travel agents are not permitted to advertise or solicit, but they are required to identify themselves as an agent.
It serves two great purposes. For those who are paranoid about agents, it gives them an opportunity to avoid them. But, I was able to identify and choose a really helpful travel agent on that other site, and I would hope to do the same with real estate agents, here.
I hope we dont get inundated with realtors now--------
sunny
I have nothing against them,it is their job but you don't want to feel like prey either...lol
Like car salesmen don't hover over me licking your chops.I'll come get you when and if I am interested.
Here's a question that just popped into my mind. Forgive me if it has already been discussed. How do you "verify" someone here at the web site to be a licensed real estate broker? What would prohibit a person from claiming to be a broker, posting as a broker, but actually not.
Bill
ARELLO is the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials, comprising the official governmental agencies and other organizations around the world that issue real estate licenses/registrations in addition to regulating real estate practice and enforcing real estate law.
There are penalties for practicing real estate without a license. Contact your state Dept. of Real Estate (DRE) or Real Estate Commission (REC) asap.
Here's a question that just popped into my mind. Forgive me if it has already been discussed. How do you "verify" someone here at the web site to be a licensed real estate broker? What would prohibit a person from claiming to be a broker, posting as a broker, but actually not.
Bill
As long as that person does not actually act as an agent, no harm is done.
No one should accept without question anything that anyone says on a web site, including this statement.
What would prohibit a person from claiming to be a broker, posting as a broker, but actually not.
Hi Bill -
Did you mean that someone would say they're an agent as an online hoax? Does that happen often?
I guess I'm more worried about the reverse - someone who is an agent not revealing it & giving me trumped up info about a particular house/area in their sales terriory.
And, whomever mentioned RE banners - Yikes! NO! Enough! I see more online advertising than I desire & didn't solicit including pop-ups that got through my blocker software. What's next? Hair salon adverts? "Hey, I'm the best comptroller" banners! "Let me do your taxes" accountant banners! No, please stop! If so desired, place your title underneath your name & if I want an Accountant/Agent/Mime/Podiatrist, I can then contact you with a PM. I've visited enough "fake" sites that promise to give me info about a particular subject & after 6 mouse clicks find it's nothing but adverts & requests for my email address prior to revealing the tasty info I was promised. Type in email, oops, still can't get to it without registering with a phone # & address. A banner doesn't speak for professionalism, success or knowledge. It only speaks to someone who has the $ to advertise.
If the site goes the advertising route, I hope there will just be an Advertising section, so I can choose to click on it, become a supporter with my own banner if I so choose, or ignore it.
Have fun... VV
Last edited by Baltic_Celt; 05-14-2007 at 03:20 PM..
Reason: Clarification
Uh oh !!!!!
You just know that everyone is now going to want a icon next to their name.
I can just see the mods pm box filling up with "well you did it for Realtors can you do one for us"
I have to agree with Kittenspurr, no RE banners. It's a bit much.
Also, Bill, I can understand your concern. If you are interested in RE, most agents have websites. Use a PM to get their web address. Once there, you will have their full name. Then, go to the state real estate commission or dept. of real estate and do a name search. That doesn't mean that they are harmless but at least they have a license. How do you know the person is the same as the person on this forum - I would strongly suggest calling the office number listed in the state REC/DRE database. For the initial contact, personally, I would avoid the cell phone or any personal telephone number.
As a realtor, I have a concern about REA's thinking they are meeting Mr. or Ms. Seller only to find out they are meeting some whack-a-do. Yes, it happens even without forums. (Maybe I'm a bit tired because my cell phone was ringing at 5:00AM - a call from a buyer - I know his number - I surely hope he phoned me in error - no message and I don't return calls without a message). So, with this little house icon, have we identified ourself as a person who may be more likely to meet a stranger? Just a thought and I may need a nap or a cup of coffee.
I'll add this, for the most part the rest of the world does not know, care or understand the difference between a realtor/broker etc. If we choose to use a company to sell our homes we're going to look for a "realtor", not a broker or whatever else they're called.
Again, be thankful that the administrator went above and beyond to help your group out here on CD. Let's hear some applause for the Admin!! wooohoooo. I SAID---woooohooooooo. Can I get an Amen? Oh, yeah, not the religion forum...
Thx Admin
I will give you a HOO-RAH
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