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Deception Is Not Our Code

February 27, 2012 by 3 Comments
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The following story intentionally leaves out details of the parties involved due to the fact that my knowledge of the story is indirect and thus I don't know all the facts. Today I heard a story about an agent & seller that reduced a property's price by more than 50% in an effort to drum up tons of buyer interest and get a crush of offers via sealed bid due in a couple weeks.  The agent telling the story to me said at least 3 agents in his office had buyers inquire on this property and the overall reaction … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community Issues, Ethics, Opinion

MN Government Shutdown Means Fewer Real Estate Agents

July 12, 2011 by 3 Comments

Of the many things that are affected by the Minnesota Government Shutdown is a majority of the Department of Commerce.  The Department of Commerce does things like well, regulate commerce.  With it largely shut down, investigations and enforcement are hampered and any businesses that rely on licensing cannot make changes or additions until the doors open back up.Real Estate Agents in Minnesota are required to be licensed and get re-licensed every 2 years by filing a renewal and completing 30 hours of continuing … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community Issues, Ethics, Market Stats, Opinion Tagged With: , ,

Bank of America Foreclosure Halt Mean Buyers Left Without a Home?

October 8, 2010 by 4 Comments

According to numerous stories (1, 2, 3) today, due to ongoing concerns about their processes, including alleged "robo signing" of documents, Bank of America is halting foreclosure activity in all 50 states.  What isn't 100% clear from these stories is if this is just on the foreclosure proceedings side of the equation or if it also includes the bank owned homes they are selling to new buyers. Update: CNBC has a story about Fannie Mae halting foreclosure sale closings. If there are concerns about the legality and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community Issues, Ethics, Foreclosures and Short Sales, Info for Buyers Tagged With: , ,

Naughty People in Real Estate

July 14, 2010 by 2 Comments

The Minnesota Department of Commerce puts out a report of their "enforcement actions" against licensees in industries they regulate.  The DOC regulates  MN-chartered banks, debt collectors, notaries, insurance companies, mortgage companies, appraisers, and real estate agents/brokers. I find it interesting to see what people in the real estate field are caught doing and what their punishment is.  For every person that is caught I'm sure another one or two are missed - there's just so much to this business and so … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community Issues, Ethics, Opinion, Personal Experiences

Great Explanation on Trademarks and REALTORS

July 13, 2010 by 4 Comments

This isn't the typical nerdy stats or opinion piece I normally do but I thought this was a great explanation of trademark law and also what makes a REALTOR different than a real estate agent: I'm a big fan of what sets REALTORS apart for just licensed real estate agents - I believe the biggest distinction is in the ethical requirements of REALTORS.  While I cannot guarantee that all REALTORS will always do the correct and ethical thing, at least I know there is a system in place to encourage compliance and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ethics, Opinion, Useless Ramblings

Dangers of Non-MLS Listing Sites

June 14, 2010 by 6 Comments

Today a great example of one of the biggest issues with real estate web sites that allow the public at large to list properties for sale: the controls to prevent misinformation, misuse or abuse are very limited, making disinformation quite likely. Today's example: NBC Washington reports that 1600 Pennsylvania Ave is for sale. Apparently Redfin imported this listing from Owners.com, a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) company, to their site.  While Redfin no longer lists The White House for sale, Owners.com still does. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ethics, MLS Compliment & Criticism, Opinion

Survey Bias Can Skew Anything

December 14, 2009 by Leave a Comment

I just responded to a survey of real estate agents that I get on a regular basis. While I don't want to name names, the survey comes from a group inside the real estate industry.  The survey covers a lot of things like sales activity, inventory, types of sales, experiences during the sales, and forward-looking opinions. I got to the question below and was quite upset: In your area, what are your expectations for home prices over the next year? Home prices will rise 0-5% Home prices will rise 5-10% Home prices … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ethics, Media, Opinion Tagged With:

How to File an Ethics Complaint Against a REALTOR in Minnesota

June 16, 2009 by 3 Comments

The Minnesota Association of REALTORS (MNAR) has put together a video overviewing the ethics complaint process.  Take a peek.  If you'd like to file a complaint against an agent, please click here for the form and more information. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community Issues, Ethics, Info for Buyers, Info for Sellers, Personal Experiences Tagged With: ,

I'm P*ssed Off At Some REO(Foreclosure) Agents

May 19, 2009 by 9 Comments
Apath

I try to behave myself, I try to keep my emotions www.ered so that my opinions can be read and understood without coming off so harsh that people click away before they finish reading.  Well today I just don't care.  This is a list (though not comprehensive) of the reasons that I'm sick and tired of what SOME agents are doing: "I haven't seen the property so I cannot help you." If you haven't seen the property, know nothing about it, and are not offering to help me find someone who has seen the house to help … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community Issues, Ethics, Foreclosures and Short Sales, Info for Buyers, Opinion, Personal Experiences, Useless Ramblings Tagged With: , ,

Already Bruised & Beaten, Cities Take a Swing at Banks

January 18, 2009 by 2 Comments

I couldn't decide what title to use... the one I did or this one: "City Screws Property Owners When no one is Looking" - which do you like better? I recently received a bill from a twin cities suburb for a foreclosure property I maintain.  Last year after it was abandoned and before I took over the lawn maintenance the city decided it was a "nuisance property" and hired a contractor to do monthly mowings.  Between the contractor's fees and the city's profit fees the total for 3 mowings added up to over $1100!  … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community Issues, Ethics, Foreclosures and Short Sales, Landscaping, Opinion, Personal Experiences Tagged With: , , ,

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TwinCitiesRealEstateBlog.com is not a Multiple Listing Service MLS, nor does it offer MLS access.
This website is a service of Aaron Dickinson of Edina Realty, a broker Participant of the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Inc.