Ghosts and Meth Buyer agents should always recommend that buyers obtain every type of inspection available including environmental issues (e.g. contamination, hazmats, lead, meth production residue, mold, radon, pollution, groundwater). Buyers may then choose the inspections that fit their needs and wallets. Regarding clandestine methamphetamine laboratories (cooking meth, Breaking Bad), there are numerous issues to… Continue Reading Ghosts and Meth
Parties Check Sex Offender Registry, Not REALTORS SCR forms alert buyers and sellers about the sex offender registry and put the responsibility on the parties to check the sex offender registry if they want this information. NAR reports an Arizona court ruled that a dual agency brokerage was not liable for failing to disclose that… Continue Reading Sex Offender Registry
Let People Know They Under Surveillance: Videotaping/Recording Security and technology are good friends to owners and REALTORS. The South Carolina Association offices are protected by alarm systems and video cameras. Signs are posted the videotaping is occurring as a deterrent to crime. Buyer agents should educate buyers that sellers may have security systems on premises… Continue Reading Surveillance
Listing Brokerages Keep MLS Compensation Updated ASAP Listing brokerages should keep MLS offered compensation updated ASAP. Listing brokerages should not try to change MLS offered compensation once an offer is submitted. Listing brokerages should ensure their listing agreements cover compensation. Bonuses, boats, cars, trips, etc. - listing brokerage should have law firm escrow these "seller… Continue Reading Keep MLS Compensation Correct/Updated
How Do You Pronounce REALTOR? http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2014/04/07/realtor-lands-list-among-most-mispronounced-words
Photographs and Listing Content People own the rights to their own images (face) and images of their real estate (home). Some real estate imaging is in the public domain. Example: The White House and it can be used freely. Private homes cannot be freely used in photographs without permission. REALTORS/brokerages create copyrighted and owned intellectual… Continue Reading Photos
Potential Buyers, Try Using Your Cell Phone At the Property Potential buyers should inspect how their cell phones (and other wireless devices) work in the property they are considering buying prior to contract. Many things affect wireless devices (e.g. distance from cell towers, electrical interference, man made interference, natural interference (geographic/vegetation), materials interference). There are… Continue Reading Test Cell Phone
Scams! 1. Nigerian scam. Hack your email. "Help, I am traveling and lost my wallet. Please wire money to me at ___________________________." 2. Craigslist scam. Scrape your listing info and re-post online as a rental. Defenses: google alert your listing information (address, photos, etc.). Report to SCR and FBI at www.ic3.gov and Craigslist 3. Wire… Continue Reading Scams!
Good Tree, Bad Tree http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2014/04/07/cities-in-search-more-storm-proof-trees?om_rid=AAEG6Z&om_mid=_BTQw0iB85KQF-U&om_ntype=RMODaily
Eavesdropping Crime - Don't Eavesdrop, Peep, Film, or Record If people have a reasonable expectation of privacy, it can be crime to eavesdrop or peep or film or record. See Section 16-17-470 http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t16c017.php