Since I live on the computer and I am constantly checking my websites or web placement I come across a lot of agents websites that are dead, out dated and non factual. Perhaps the agent has left the business, changed companies, or is not doing the business they used to. Well do you think it is wise to reflect that change on the web? If an agent belongs to Company "B" and still has their website showing you are affiliated with Company "A?" How does the state look at something like that when you are required to have the correct affiliation posted? Is it a license law violation? Is it a violation of using trademarks and affiliations you are not entitled to?
Other items are real estate teams. I came across a real estate website the other day in Atlanta that has a very large team. The leader of the team is no longer affiliated with the original company, and most of the team members that appear on the website are no longer licensed to sell real estate. Since the change occurred almost a year ago is it deceptive for a client thinking they have a massive staff when that is not the case, or is it just fraudulent advertising? Advertising you can sell real estate and not having a license is a violation of law.
A few years ago when I switched companies I managed to change over most of my main sites within a week. It took endless hours to do so, but I like to comply with state laws and paint a true picture of affiliation. It is amazing how many do not feel the laws apply to them
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Shucks Jim. I called a RE/MAX office today to speak to a listing agent and the number in the MLS is no longer working.
So, I looked up the agent, no changes.
I wonder if the seller is aware of this negligence?
there are tons of agents in my area who have out-dated webpages up representing companies they havent been affiliated with for some time. It is illegal but nothing is done about it seemingly.
Here in California there are strict rules about this very thing. You have 30 days to change a website, blog, business cards, and anything else that would make it difficult or confusing for someone seeking your services.
We too have noticed these errors, but most of the time they are out of our state agents. Guess once these agents are gone...they are really gone!
By mistake I received a DVD from another Realtor who intended it for a neighbor a few homes down from mine. Out of curiosity I put it in the computer. I was amazed when a Realtor that has been in our office for several years was one of the main characters.
I took the copy to her and asked how long ago was this made. Turns out she had left the team and Brokerage featured 7 years earlier.
It was a great promotion for her if she tried for the listing after the Leader of the team made his pitch.
Oh yes, Jim. I noticed a billboard in my town, featuring a realtor who moved out of state two months ago. I went to her garage sale and bought some sign toppers and lock boxes.
Jim:
Yes, a true picture of affiliation must exist. The Internet is no different than advertising in the newspaper.
Richard
There are so many illegal web sites right now. I wish they could all be taken down. I understand it does take time to get everything off search engines even if you change the site.
Jim I am glad you keep bringing this up. I really need to update my whole web page. Provider and content, thanks again.
I received a call today from a buyer that looked at a home with another agent yesterday. They could not reach her today and called to see if I could write up the offer. I looked her number up and received a disconnected phone number.......finaly located her and gave her back her clients. With the market, we'd better be checking all our websites and phone numbers. Good advice.
Lenn Harley Homefinders.com MD & VA Real Estate So many agents are out to lunch mentally! I have seen agents that left an office over 2 years ago...on their website they have very old contact and they have the wrong broker affiliation data.
Robert W. May (Canada First Mortgage) In most states it isa violation of law. The brokers are charged with compliance the same way they are supposed to review all the advertising of the agents..... so what about webs? Same law!
Connie Ragen Green ~Online Writing and Technology (Small Business UnMarketing) We the reason they are supposed to have current office information they are entitled to contact the broker of record for the business. Many agents sites do not even identify the broker, and many wrongfully identify the wrong broker or the fact they are no longer licensed.
Larry & Sheila Agranoff Realtors Nassau/Suffolk County Long Island NY (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) Yes.
Denise Gray (Coldwell Banker Stucky) Scary isn't this? This could be considered fraud. One franchise could sue an agent for using their brand name, and trademarks without having an affiliation with them, and it violates state license law.
Joan Snodgrass Tri-Lakes Realtors, Shell Knob, MO (Tri- Lakes REALTORS) Maybe some one needs to contact their broker for starters... it the brokers neck that is in trouble.
Richard Stabile Bergen County New Homes Builder Realtor (REMAX real estate associates) Many agents here on Active Rain believe those stealth sites are very good marketing. Blind sites are totally illegal. ( where no affiliation, licensures, contact information, office addresses are shown)
Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) Getting the information changed from directories on the Internet is very difficult to do. First of all, many directories will spider your site and index yous site without you ever knowing it. I am talking of sites that are never changed at all even when an agent goes from one company to another.
John Walters (7824 Real Estate of Louisiana) I am constantly finding old errors on my web page, and I correct the errors ASAP.
I'm seeing tons of featured homes listed as Available on websites that have been sold for over a year. If I were a seller, I'd be livid to find out that I am competing on my agent's site with homes that aren't even for sale. It's ridiculous!
Kay Van Kampen, Broker, Springfield Missouri Real Estate (RE/MAX Solutions) There could be an obvious reason why we are not receiving messages. An easy fix!
Amanda Hall * Texas Real Estate Broker * (Hall Team Homes ) That is fraud. There was a case in Ohio a few years ago where the judge and jury ruled it fraud to have sold homes on the site. The judgement was in the millions and it is not covered under E&O. Fraud is never covered! The judgement was against the agents and broker if my memory serves me right.
Jim,
Great post! I suspect that there are many violations along these lines...I see very little policing of the laws let alone prosecutions!!! Thanks, Fran
Fran 'The Title Man' Gaspari Title Insurance-PA & NJ (Patriot Land Transfer, Inc.) There are more violations that exist than I could even enumerate. There is almost no policing of this.
When I changed to CB in June I had to undo close to a hundred profiles and webpages connected with my previous broker. What a pain! Even still, stuff comes up. Whenever I'm on a directory site I glance at the other listings - many are WAY out of date for that company/agent. Part of the problem is the aggregation of data by web companies. Most is the lazyness of agents in remembering "where they parked".
Jeff Geoghan MBA - Lancaster PA Real Estate Expert (Coldwell Banker Select Professionals) I had hte same experience a few years back we moved to KW....then back to REMAX. It was a royal pain, but I did it. Occasionally I still find something from KW.
And we probably should update the 20+ year old pictures!
Joe Rogers, CRP, GMS Chapel Hill Real Estate (The Rogers Team @ RE/MAX Winning Edge) LOL! High school photos on he agents profile pages!
Thats so true Jim. Many agents here in Austin change companies so often that they write their phone number on their card in Pencil.
Very timely- I looked up an agent based on a listing, and her office on her website was different. Whether she's at the office indicated on the mls, or a new one, VERY confusing.
Bryan Anderson at RE/MAX Lake Travis I can so totally believe that.
Options Realty It's a very poor reflection on the agent, and brokerage...which ever one they belong to.