A Modest Proposal (On Improving the Practice of Real Estate)
May 18th, 2009 categories: Military Installations, Relocating
Previously, I focused on the #1 complaint voiced by Realtors about their profession of Real Estate, that being, other Realtors. After discussing the most prevalent complaints voiced by them, the article concluded by asking, “How do we improve the way we do business”? Since licensing requirements and/or standards vary by state, I’ll focus, specifically, on improving the standards of practice in Virginia.
If agents aren’t performing up to the standards our profession requires, how do we ensure they do? Is it a matter of better preparation? Better oversight? And, more importantly, how do we fundamentally change the way we do business? If the current standards used to conduct business aren’t getting the job done, if it isn’t compelling the type of professional behavior we want from our practitioners, what changes are needed?
Believe it or not, the National Association of Realtors(NAR) established professional standards for real estate practice nearly 100 years ago, outlined in their Realtor Code of Ethics. But, the Code is not law. For Realtors, the Code defines duties and obligations required in the public interest, which are beyond the capacity and power of the law to mandate, and supplements the law by requiring a higher sensitivity to the duties and obligations which it imposes. The Code’s “bottom line” rests upon putting the client’s interest first in the transaction.
While the Code of Ethics provides an excellent set of rules or guidelines, what are they worth if they aren’t followed, or Code violations not reported? Or, in some cases, for various reasons, not punished?
While few doubt the Code’s intent, many of my peers have voiced concerns over how well or closely those in our profession practice the Code. And, remember, adhering to to the Code is not optional. But, the Code is supposed to be a starting point. And, if the Code is a simply a beginning, what other preparation or training is needed to develop the standards we need to more effectively professionalize our business. Let me propose three steps:
1. Dramatically increase required Pre-licensing course work, to 60 college semester credit hours of only real estate coursework.
2. Mandatory, Standardized Mentoring Program for New Agents.
3. More Effective Use of Grievance and Professional Standards Processes.
Each of these recommendations will be examined in articles to follow. While these proposals aren’t new, the need for each hasn’t disappeared. Instead, according to anecdotal data, they’re needed now, more than ever.
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Can You Read Me Now?
July 18th, 2008 categories: Military Installations, Relocating
One of North Stafford’s favorite hideaways is none other than the local library, specifically, the John Musante Porter Branch. Built in 1992, with an architectural design unlike most other community libraries, the Porter branch is conveniently situated in the center of North Stafford’s most populous area, and just down the street from three of its local schools, North Stafford High School, H.H. Poole Middle School, and Park Ridge Elementary. Additionally, within a couple of miles are North Stafford’s most popular home subdivisions:
- Park Ridge
- Hampton Oaks
- Augustine
- Amyclae
- Berkshire
- Austin Ridge
- Autumn Ridge
- Whitson’s Ridge
For those that like to stop in just to relax and still catch up on their news the old fashion way, hard copy instead of the web, there’s plenty of comfortable seating and with accompanying desk space, but also assorted seating throughout the building. For those who prefer the comfort of online information, there are a number of computer stations and free Wi-Fi for those who carry their laptop with them.
For a bit of cultural enrichment, the library’s ArtPoint program highlights the many local artists offering live entertainment, painting exhibits, story telling, and various other forms of media.
So, for those new to the North Stafford community, or those who’ve witnessed the steady stream of more and more traffic lights moving into the neighborhood the past few years, stop by your local library, whether by day or night, and enjoy the wealth it has to offer. As someone has said, “a library is an arsenal of liberty.” For most of us, its only a few blocks away and certainly worth the journey.
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