The results of the second round of Blog Brawl 2 will be slightly delayed. Here’s why:

Drew Kantor, Blogmaster writes: “NAR Must Add Pro Bono Provision to Realtor Code of Ethics” writes Joseph Ferrara on the Sellsius real estate blog. His point: NAR ought promote the fact that public service is good for the community, good for the economy, good for business and good for the agent. It will distinguish (and elevate) the continue...

Tina Merritt writes: Randy Prothero, an agent in Mililani, Hawaii, recently wrote a post on Active Rain titled, “A Changing Market is no Excuse for Bad Behavior“.  To quote Randy, “When the market was hot, it seemed like people were crawling out of the woodwork to become real estate agents and loan officers.  They had little continue...

Matthew Rathbun brought up the Agency Conversation again at AgentGenius recently - "Realizing that cooperation with other real estate professionals promotes the best interests of those who utilize their services, REALTORS® urge exclusive representation of clients ; do not attempt to gain any unfair advantage over their competitors; and they refrain from making unsolicited comments about other practitioners." ... The purpose of writing this post is to reaffirm the need to examine and study at the continued viability of Single Agent Dual Agency and to clarify once again that this is not a call for an end to Designated Agency (whereby one company represents both sides of a transaction) but a request to look at one agent representing both parties.

Drew Kantor, Blogmaster writes: When I worked in retail in college (a period in my life that various psychiatric professionals have tried to help me erase), we were always warned about the “secret shopper” — someone hired by the company who would act like a troublesome customer in order to grade our performance. But there are other kinds continue...

Matthew Rathbun writes: The Premise It’s right there in the preamble to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics: “Such interests impose obligations beyond those of ordinary commerce. They impose grave social responsibility and a patriotic duty to which REALTORS® should dedicate themselves, and for which they should be diligent in preparing themselves. REALTORS®, therefore, are zealous to maintain and continue...

Drew Kantor, Blogmaster writes: Today I’m stealing an idea from Cindy Jones at VA Real Estate Talk, who brings up an interesting question. (To see what it is, you have to go to the poll — I say this for the benefit of those who get these updates by e-mail.) This one rides the line between a legal continue...

Jeremy Hart writes: Think back to the last time you visited a doctor.  If you got there on time for your appointment, did you have to wait to see your physician? I took my wife to the doctor a couple of weeks ago for an afternoon appointment.  We arrived on time for our appointment to find a continue...

Bob Carney writes: For my first post I am going to review a new gadget…danger, danger!  This requires the opinion of me.  That’s pretty darn scary. Have you ever heard what comes out of my mouth? First about me, I don’t want to just jump into the VARbuzz with out a little bit about myself.  Not sure continue...

Ben Martin, blogmaster emeritus writes: Seemingly innocent slips of the tongue can hurt your clients’ negotiating power — not to mention violate your duty to keep clients’ information in confidence. Check out this post by AgentGenius contributor Paula Henry about the careless dropping of information she has heard around her office and in the field. I think you’ll also continue...