Motivational Monday - Saying Bye-Bye to One's Integrity

Motivational Monday - Saying Bye-Bye to One's Integrity

My mission is to motivate and not lecture but, I had to share this... My hope is that this motivates you to rethink what you may say (or write) this week, motivating you to continue down a path of integrity!

Storytelling is something that we learn is so very helpful in our business - it helps clients understand the process a bit better when we use that as part of our educational arsenal. That's the kind of storytelling we are fond of...not the other kind!

Being the managing broker of a very busy group of top-producing agents in my market, so many 'issues' come to my attention that normally would not. By far, the biggest issues are coming from agents who complete (by typing) Disclosures for their sellers and then having the sellers electronically sign them. Our buyers take the sellers at their word, presenting the sellers with a very large, non-refundable Due Diligence Fee upon initial Contract. 

While we do everything humanly possible to 'investigate' as we tour homes so that our buyers can better understand what some of the issues are that they may be facing, we don't INSPECT. Home inspections (general/mechanical/HVAC/termites/electrical/plumbing and all others) are not done until after the Contract has been ratified. 

Fast-forward to the inspections and our buyers are finding that there are multiple items which were not disclosed on the Property Disclosures - some are quite egregious. The buyers have the option of moving forward, knowing NOW, that there are major repairs that are necessary or walking away from a large sum of money...and a bad taste in their mouths.

On more than one occasion in the past month, the buyers have expressed the desire to go after the listing agent as most feel that the agent knew about the defects. In one instance, the agent WAS the seller. In each & every incident, a LOT of communication had to take place in order to protect the buyers. 

The bottom line - the cat is now out of the bag. The sellers and their agent will never lose this 'liar, liar, pants on fire' stigma with anyone involved in the transaction. When you're on the other side in a crazy, busy seller's market and you see those agents coming... Well, let's just say, they can't be trusted; they've lost any & all integrity in the eyes of everyone who knows their situation.

Not only that but, we have reported agents to our Commission and our MLS for their involvement in these situations. They complete the Disclosures (whether with or without the sellers) and the sellers sign. The sellers then say, "Oh, I never said that - I knew the roof had issues and I told my agent that." Who do you think is going to be called to task on that one?

In a nutshell, don't find yourself putting your livelihood in jeopardy - and whatever you do, advise your clients that it's better to be upfront (or repair the issue). Getting 'caught' is almost always inevitable.

With the strong sellers market we are in right now, people are buying everything up, often regardless of the condition. So, if there ever was a time to rack your brain and be sure you Disclose EVERYTHING, it is NOW! 

It seems that more and more people are okay with falsehoods. One lie can, indeed, ruin a reputation. Think about it: what truth is so difficult to speak that you're willing to jeopardize your reputation? Those with integrity know there are none!

Happy Monday All!

© Debe Maxwell | The Maxwell House Group | CharlotteBroker@icloud.com | Motivational Monday - Saying Bye-Bye to One's Integrity