What should you do if another REALTOR®'s client asks you for a second opinion on general real estate practices?
As a Texas REALTOR®, the Code of Ethics does not preclude you from offering an opinion about another real estate professional's service or business practices. If you choose to offer an opinion, you should observe strict standards of professional integrity and provide objective, reliable information.
It is a violation of Article 15 of the Code of Ethics to knowingly or recklessly make false or misleading statements about other real estate professionals. Keep in mind that making derogatory comments about others' real estate practices can also diminish the public's appreciation of REALTORS®.
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9 Comments on "When someone else’s client wants your advice"
Part of being a REALTOR – what sets us apart from those who are only licensed real estate agents – is that we do have a level of professionalism, education and a code of ethics that we are expected to follow and adhere to whereas those who are NOT part of the REALTOR family (typically 1 in 3) do not subscribe to such and need not follow same. Let us continue to follow the code of ethics to which we have agreed to follow and support.
I find this answer a bit surprising since representation is defined as providing advice and opinion. How is it okay for another agent to provide advice and opinion to your client? If it’s not a code of ethics violation I’d be willing to bet that it’s a License Act violation.
I agree with Dana about client agency protection. NAR is adamant about interpretation of the Code of Ethics. TAR I think you got this one wrong.
I agree with Dena. I just recently had another agent provide my client with her “opinion” regarding compensation. The conversation caused me to lose the listing because the seller though I was treating her unfairly since “all agents……..” which she leared from another agent. It was not only untrue but it caused me to lose a significant listing. And guess who has the listing now? Yes, the other agent. Nice!
Yeah, Sandy, real nice deal right. Not!!
If someone aporoaches me when I know they are working with other agent. I don’t want to be in middle. My choice of action is to talk over with their agent. If they can’t reach understanding and they are no longer under their representation, they are welcome to my opinion or any other during interview process.
I remember we cannot or suppose to steer them away from their agent so they can become our client.
I received a call from a man about listing his home. A mutual friend told him to reach out to me. I pulled up the address and saw it was currently listed. When I ask him about that, he stated that his current agent “was an idiot and didn’t know what she was doing”. I told him I couldn’t really discuss anything with him while it was listed. His response was “I have 5 other written proposals from agents, why is this a problem for you???” So much for agent ethics.
Whenever another agent’s client ask me for advice on a transaction, I mostly state to them, “to give their agent representative an opportunity to address their concerns and offer them a possible solution ” , it usually works
When a buyer or seller seeks the opinion of another Realtor it always means they are trying to build a case to beat up their agent and get their agent to capitulate something. Don’t get involved! Regardless of how compelling the buyer or seller is, remember there’s two sides to all these tales of wo. Stay out of it.