8.5 Lies about Real Estate

Truth, Justice & The American Way.

That's what real estate is all about.  If you read the REALTOR Code of Ethics to which all REALTORS subscribe (and hopefully adhere), you'll find our mission right in the preamble:

"Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization. Realtors® should recognize that the interests of the nation and its citizens require the highest and best use of the land and the widest distribution of land ownership."

The preamble goes on to say:

"Realtors®, therefore, are zealous to maintain and improve the standards of their calling and share with their fellow Realtors® a common responsibility for its integrity and honor."

Like most professions, there are the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

Fortunately, we get a better rap than lawyers.  Imagine if Shakespeare had said "Kill all the real estate salepeople."  It's very rare that any of my friends or clients tell me a knee-slapping funny REALTOR joke (I was bombarded with attorney jokes when I graduated from law school and practiced law -- my parents and friends even bought me several volumes of lawyer jokes for my bookshelves).  Thanks to constant antics of politicians like Eliot Spitzer, Bill Clinton, and Dan Rostenkowski (remember him?), real estate professionals are certainly elevated above that sleazy bunch.

Unfortunately, a few bad apples can ruin it for the whole bunch.  The majority of REALTORS are open, honest, trustworthy, and sincerely interested in helping their clients navigate their way through the real estate maze whether purchasing or buying a home.

That brings us to the 8.5 lies about real estate.  If you ever hear any of these phrases or advice from a real estate professional or even from your best friend, please run, don't walk away, and never look back.

THE 8.5 LIES ABOUT REAL ESTATE:

1.  Other homes like yours are selling for $450,000.  I can get you $615,000.

2.  You are required to use only our mortgage lender and our settlement company.  Don't shop around.

3.  Don't worry about being on the main road or about that train track out back.  If you shut the windows, it's really quiet.  Besides, you'll get used to it.

4.  You don't need any money to buy a home.  That's what I learned on late night t.v.

5.  I'm the #1 agent, top 1% of all agents in the nation, etc., etc.  

6.  Location doesn't really matter all that much.

7.  Open houses and advertisements in the newspaper will sell your home.

8.  We're friends.  Of course you can trust me.

8.5  Our commission is non-negotiable and you must agree to work with me for one full year.

You'll never hear me utter one of these lies.  Call me at 703-626-0715 or contact me by e-mail to start your Northern Virginia or D.C. real estate quest.  

Send me a few REALTOR jokes if you know any.  I've got enough attorney ones already.