Comments on: The Real Estate Consumer’s Bill of Rights

By: Bill Bartmann

Bill Bartmann — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:28:14 +0000

Excellent site, keep up the good work

By: Real estate consulting

Real estate consulting — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:20:09 +0000

Really great post. Most people do not take the time to understand the process before working with an agent. The more the consumer is educated the better it is for everyone involved.

By: Debra Proto

Debra Proto — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 05:22:07 +0000

I would like this bill of rights for consumers to include a couple more things. One that a broker can not get and exclusive right to sell from a seller when the broker is going to be the buyer. And here in Arkansas, realtors game the MLS system. In our case a broker signed a contract to buy a house from an elderly couple but he told them that he would only purchase it if they signed an exclusive right to sell. They signed. Another buyer came along and the broker sold it to them, prior to closing. he did not honor the exclusive right to sell by forwarding all offers to the elder couple. He then waited 15 days before putting his purchase of the property in the MLS. So that when my agent looked for comps this one did not show up. He flipped this property within 15 days. Got his bonus points for “platnum winnter” gamed the MLS system by having to MLSs for the same property in the system at overlapping time frames. How did he do this – he enter the address on one by A-1 and another 1-A and the MLS system bought it. This same broker has done this an additional five times since it happened to us.

By: Terry Shortt

Terry Shortt — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:07:02 +0000

Great job! Since the real estate industry is about ten years behind (along with home loan processing) the rest of the service sector though, it may be a few years before these really become “rights” of consumers.

I wonder what a “consumers bill of rights” might look today if developed by the NAR.

Anti-consumer features like dual agency, minimum service requirements, anti-rebate laws, blocking alternative business models, MLS residency requirements, consumers’ unrepresented on real estate regulatory bodies and more would be very hard to justify if consumers could see how the back office really works.

By: felilcia waters

felilcia waters — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:36:43 +0000

Who protects the buyer when the agents fails to do his job. The job meaning the closing list of items to be completed. I went to the broker because the agent kept avoiding me the broker said that he would get ahold of the agent because it needed to be handle now. After two more weeks with no return calls the broker said the agent has given notice and theres nothing he can do.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Fri, 16 May 2008 01:21:21 +0000

It’s a matter of volume in order for this business model to work, and although I have nothing against competing business models, I think it’s sad that an article like this is written under some sort of assumption that these “points” are not/were not attended to in the interest of consumers by traditional real estate business models. Let’s compare apples to apples here, not create vaguely accusatory insinuation in the interest of trying to drum up business.

By: SKblog

SKblog — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:59:29 +0000

In a time that is getting tougher for real estate agents, it is clear you are trying to get more business for yourself. By blasting Realtors as a whole, shows your lack of integrity. A good Real Esate Agency is successful by doing a good job for their cleints, being ethical and following a fiduciary responsibilty. Success is not created by knocking people down to make your service attractive. A clever consumer, and an ethical consumer wouldn’t want to work with an organization like yours. And clients that are interested in what you have to say are the kind of people many Realtors wouldn’t want to work with. So, good luck with the kind of people who are interested in your kind of business tactics.

By: amy klein

amy klein — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:23:26 +0000

Your petition is rediculous, and quite frankly insulting to Real Estate Agents. Many agents care about their clients, and they are entitled to earn a living. Your misinformation and nastiness towards agents is irresponsible and terrible business practices. You’ll be out of business soon. Nobody wants a mean spirited organization representing them.

By: amy klein

amy klein — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:22:48 +0000

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