Here are this week’s top comments, compiled by the Inman editorial staff.
Marty Sorrentino · Commented on Should you take your kids to showings?
I have to admit, I have taken my kids along with me at times, BUT my kids knew to be on their best behavior. Sometimes they would wait in the car, weather permitting, for a short appointment and sometimes they would sit in a client’s den watching tv during an open house. I don’t recommend this practice, but my kids come first and sometimes you have to bring them along. Maybe this has inspired my son to get his license and become a Realtor. I am sure that all the conversations he has heard me have during his younger years has helped him with his “training”.
Beware of the unexpected; “kids say the darnest things” is so true. Once during a pre closing final walk through, my son, who was about 5 years old and familiar with the home, grabbed the hand of the buyers’ son and wanted to show him where the fire was! I almost lost my lunch….it was only a small oven fire, but the buyers were taken back to say the least. “Out of the mouths of babes.”
Betsy Johnson · Commented on California Supreme Court rules on dual agency case
If I were Namba, I would have recommended an appraisal ahead of time for accurate square footage. To rely on anyone else is not good fiduciary responsibility. Especially in a cash transaction, the buyer and buyer’s agent must be certain of what they are getting. Penny wise and pound foolish. The buyer could have negotiated a lower price immediately based on the difference. Unfortunately in the real estate industry as elsewhere, let the buyer beware should be rule number one.
Ruthmarie Garcia Hicks · Commented on Above the lies and fake news, one broker’s search for truth
Coincidentally, last night I watched “All the President’s Men” about Woodward and Bernstien blowing the lid off of Watergate. Their investigative reporting resulted in the resignation of a president who was facing impeachment. It was shoeleather research and pushing the envelope all the way. They were harassed, almost fired, and at several points felt their lives might be at risk.
Would you see this today? NO!! For openers, none of our current structure actually supports investigative reporting. Could you imagine any modern media agency PAYING anyone to actually hit the streets and investigate a major issue over the period of months or years? It just wouldn’t happen today.
Corruption has been seeping into every corner of our current government. Investigatvie journalism used to hold this sort of thing in check. As a result, we are living in a “Wag the Dog” world.
Mark Burns · Commented on California Supreme Court rules on dual agency case
In a local paper, Cortazzo was referred to as a ‘Celebrity Real Estate Agent’ facing a separate $3.3M lawsuit going to trial next year. That probably sums up most of the problem. How much does it cost to get a translator? For a $12M sale? With a 5 digit living area?
Transparency may end up being a virtue someday. For now, it’s the law.
Julie Nelson · Commented on Is work-life balance just an elusive dream?
Let’s put your physical health in to business terms … “did I appreciate this year or depreciate this year.” If you rate your business high and rate your health & wellness medium, average the two and that is really where your business is. Great content!!
Barbara Hoijtink · Commented on What does Donald Trump’s infrastructure plan mean for real estate?
The way I see it wages might go up, but purchasing power wll go down. The higher wages will be needed to pay for toll-roads, toll-bridges. And no-one will be interested of restoring infrastructure that is not profitable. Unless via contracts with countys or states that will have to find tax-revenues in order to pay of for the improved infra-structure. And interest probably will rise, as the FED has been predicting for a while already, therefor it will be more difficult for citizens to pay the mortgages.
Top comments are presented in no particular order.