Words Without Research DO Harm

Yesterday as I was doing the usual routine of racing westbound into Colorado Springs to meet clients for showings, sipping down my favorite cup of coffee, and glancing over to read the rear window stickers of passing vehicles, I see one that reads, "Support Free Speech,Words Do No Harm." Now I love reading the pithy statements plastered all over the back of cars but this one got my attention. To this I'd have to say hogwash buckwheat.

Now I'm a firm believer in free speech, one of the greatest freedoms we enjoy here in the United States, but let's take a moment to ponder the consequences of that statement in the world of Realtors. Clients expect us to be proficient and knowledgeable in the areas that we counsel them and to refer them to experts when reaching the boundaries of our scope of practice. This includes material that is published in blogs, newsletters, and online articles.

One of the most recent examples of irresponsible journalism that comes to mind was the plethora of blog articles written over a period of 2 weeks prior to the extension of the $8000 tax credit last year for first time buyers. I had a buyer sweating it out, and I spent hours researching whether or not the tax credit had extended for those under contract. She was put through a gamut of emotions as more and more EXPERTS were publishing statements declaring "Tax Credit Extended...." Really? Where was the official word from Washington because everything I researched stated that it had not been through the Senate and was still up in the air? I cautioned her over and over that until I had DOCUMENTED evidence from Washington, it was merely hearsay and not to be counted upon. This was dangerously bordering on incompetent journalism in my humble opinion, and if the tax credit had not been extended at the 11th hour, seriously harmful to those desperately waiting to grab onto a tidbit of hope.

Taking the time to research that which we put out on the web and into print is a responsibility to those that we serve, since we are considered the professional voices in the housing-market arena. Manipulating data, regurgitating undocumented and researched information, and masquerading as experts in areas we are not only leads to a misinformed public left unsatisfied with the quality of expert advice received under the guise of licensed Realtor. Blogging has opened a wonderful new avenue for Realtors to educate, a great resource never before experienced by the general public, but with that comes a warning: not everyone is up to the task at hand. To quote Ellen Goodman, "In journalism, there has always been a tension between getting it first and getting it right." Let's heed the warning and remember words without research can and will cause harm.