Monday, August 2, 2010

Sacramento Real Estate: When Agents Use Unethical Practices...

I had a situation with one of my Sacramento Real Estate Listings last week, where another REALTOR showed up at my seller's front door.  Normally, that would be fine, if said REALTOR wanted to show the property to a buyer.  However, in this case, she was there to persuade my client to abandon her Exclusive Agency with me.

BIG NO-NO!!!

Now, my seller felt compelled to call me immediately, but due to the fact that she travels in similar circles as this OTHER REALTOR, she didn't want to give me her name. 

LUCKY BREAK FOR THIS CHICK!!!

Filing a complaiint with the California Department of Real Estate, and the Sacramento Association of Realtors, might make her want to reconsider her actions.

The big questions I have for this lady, "is one listing really worth losing your license, and your ability to practice real estate?  Is your pool of possible Sacramento Listings really that small?" 

As REALTORS, we sign a Code of Ethics, and are bound to abide by that Code.  Article 16 of the Code Of Ethics reads as follows,

"REALTORS® shall not engage in any practice or take any action inconsistent with exclusive representation or exclusive brokerage relationship agreements that other REALTORS® have with clients. (Amended 1/04)"

"...Article 16 is intended to recognize as unethical two basic types of solicitations:



First, telephone or personal solicitations of property owners who have been identified by a real estate sign, multiple listing compilation, or other information service as having exclusively listed their property with another REALTOR®; and


Second, mail or other forms of written solicitations of prospects whose properties are exclusively listed with another REALTOR® when such solicitations are not part of a general mailing but are directed specifically to property owners identified through compilations of current listings, “for sale” or “for rent” signs, or other sources of information required by Article 3 and Multiple Listing Service rules to be made available to other REALTORS® under offers of subagency or cooperation. (Amended 1/04)

So, obviously this lady didn't read the Code of Ethics the day she signed it...maybe if she had, she wouldn't be in direct violation.  One day, she will knock on the wrong door, and her actions will not be met with such luck.