Ethical Violation of Realtor

Recently, I found my listing with my pictures (my client and I took) on some other website, and the person who was asking to "call if you have more questions" was not me even though I was the listing manager.

First, I was confused. The, I learned that actually it is a serious ethical violation that many REALTORS® may not be aware of. It is recorgnized to be violation by Association of Realtors.

The reason behind it is other realtors except actual listing agent can not use information about another agent's listing in their advertising.

Why?

Advertising another agent's listing often can be misleading to the buyer and seller and gives the impression that you are the listing agent for that property. This rule applies to all marketing including online sources such as Craigslist or KSL.com.

Using photos or descriptions of another agent's listing in the marketing puts realtors in violation of Article 12 of the Code of Ethics and will result in severe penalties for anyone in violation.

Being realtor, I understand why others may want to do that to attract new clients. It is still can be done offering something like statistics of sold properties in the area. Instead, some realtors focus and misrepresent listings which they have limited or no knowledge of.

New Gimmick: Home 'Clearance' Sale

It's a common technique to lure buyers into department stores, so why not try it in real estate? Coldwell Banker of Southeast Florida is hyping its own version of a doorbuster sale, with homes available at discount prices for a limited time starting June 1.

To participate, sellers with homes listed at $750,000 or below must reduce their asking price by 10 percent; those with more expensive homes can start with 5 percent cuts. No short-sale deals or bank-owned properties are allowed because administrative obstacles make discounting them tricky. After the sale, prices can be raised again.

Gus Rubio, senior vice president of Coldwell Banker for Southeast Florida, says the firm hopes to get buyers off the fence by offering them the chance to ''buy today at tomorrow's prices.'' Rubio says.

Sellers will benefit from a blitz of advertising by Coldwell – from print, radio and Internet campaigns and press releases targeting local, national and international buyers.

Lenders, home warranty firms and title companies are joining in to offer buyers one-stop shopping as well, Rubio says. As of May 27, 597 sellers had signed up to participate, offering buyers potential discounts of a combined $31.4 million. Rubio says the number of participants are growing daily.

Source: The Miami Herald, Monica Hatcher (05/28/08)

How to Improve Marketing of your Home...

If you are selling home, it is important to market it. Real estate marketing expert Raleigh Pinskey says people make mistake of starting their advertisements with property addresses or descriptions of the property type instead of using an attention-grabbing headline. He recommends using the "best, most powerful, most effective thing you can say" at the start of the ad. Additionally, the ad should use language geared directly toward consumers, such as "you" and "your."

For instance, compare these two ads:

1. 387 Tierras Blancos Ct., about 2800 sq.ft., 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bath..."
2. Your one level Summerlin Home in the heart of Vistas, Las Vegas. These 2800 sq.ft. are the most upgraded and least expensive in gated community Estancia..."

By the way, this listing in Summerlin is available..please call me with more information or send me e-mail at marinav30@yahoo.com

Also recommended is the use of third-party testimonials, rather than having real estate agents explain why they are the best in the business.
I almost never explain how good I am, I know I am good, and I know actions are more important than words. Therefore, daily blog commitment and daily innovative advertisement for my listings are only few things I am involve to show you that I am good... The rest I prefer you read from my previous clients who are very kind to me, and leave their comments on http://local.yahoo.com/results?p=realtor&csz=Salt+Lake+City%2C+UT

http://www.local.yahoo.com/ by typing "realtor"and Salt Lake City, UT in search area, my company USA Russia Realty is number one with the most possitive referrals.

Finally, property descriptions should involve all five senses and focus on the home's benefits instead of its features. The ad should incorporate more active words — for example, by encouraging buyers to "unwind with a relaxing swim at the end of a long day" rather than simply state that the home has a "really lovely pool," according to Jeff Turner of RealEstateShows.com.

Thanks for keeping me going, and let me know if you ever need help to feature or host your listing (your home you are trying to sell)

Marina (Your Local Realtor)
801-649-5883