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
Don't ask "Where are you from?" http://massrealestatelawblog.com/2014/01/26/asking-where-are-you-from-results-in-60000-discrimination-penalty/
Psychologically Affected Properties. For business reasons, brokerages may want to go beyond the state law below. Listing brokerages get seller to disclose upfront. Buyer brokerages recommend buyers hire private investigators to check out the property and surrounding area. All brokerages want happy clients and customers for referrals and repeat business. Some buyers will care. Some… Continue Reading Psychologically Affected Properties
E-Sigs, No Not E-Cigarettes, E-Signatures! Everyone is moving toward the 21st century goal of a paperless real estate transaction. So, all laws and SCR forms reflect that. SCR forms require everything in writing and delivered and notice of delivery. Because SCR forms have a non-reliance clause, SCR recommends that all electronic contractual negotiations be conducted… Continue Reading E-Signatures
Fair Housing Month, Fair Housing Quiz http://www.realtor.org/rmoquiz2.nsf/fairhousingquiz
NAR on Copyright, Listings: http://www.realtor.org:8119/topics/mls/managing-listing-content/how-to-manage-and-protect-listing-content
Emails, Texts, Faxes and SCR Forms Hotline has been receiving reports of REALTORS relying on words in emails, words in text messages, and words in fax messages to amend their SCR standard form contract. This reliance is high risk. SCR recommends that when negotiating the SCR contract agreement, that SCR forms are used. Example: Parties… Continue Reading Texts and Contracts
Fair Housing: Feds on Service Animals and Assistance Animals. http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=servanimals_ntcfheo2013-01.pdf Bottomline: Make reasonable accommodations for disabled tenants (physical/mental issue that affects at least one major life function) and their service animals (dogs) and assistance animals (other animals providing services and emotional support) without charging extra money such as pet deposits.