Not all advice is good advice
February 8th, 2007 by AnnaIn our Marketing Tips, our Forums, and other discussion mediums we talk about various advice that is floating around. Advice about different subjects like design, usability, search engines, content, etc. We all know there can be some crazy recommendations that are based on nothing more than a whim.
Today I opened up my Google Reader and saw a post on FamousAgents.com about a journalist who wrote a story slamming the real estate industry by advising home buyers to go at their process alone! Well the little red flags went off in my head…what do I do when I hear about one of our clients getting bad advice (how many times have I had to tell someone hidden text is not the next best thing? hehe). So I figured in an industry so very close to our hearts and yours that you would want to know about this, and jump in with your comments.
If you are referring to the article by Stephen Gandel, you might like to see this post on Active Rain and the ensuing comments. In the comments you will find that enen the people that Mr. Gandel interviewed for this article state that they were mis-quoted. It is great reading, he made a lot of people very angry.
Laurie Manny
February 13th, 2007
So sorry here is the link:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/38785/Is-Your-REALTOR-on
Laurie Manny
February 13th, 2007
Thanks for the link, Laurie! We try and stop by ActiveRain but we must have missed that post. Be sure to stop by FamousAgents and comment as well.
Kristina
February 14th, 2007
actually, Laurie, if you read the link, Spencer Barron says clearly that I did not mis-quote him, just shortened his quote. In fact, he then goes on into a lengthy discussion of the facts that back up his quote. I did shorten his quote, but that is something every journalist has to do. I talked to Barron for well half an hour, as well as many other experience real estate brokers and agents for just as long. There is no way I could quote everything they said in full. Laurie, please get your facts correct when commenting on my work. Thanks.
stephen gandel
February 23rd, 2007
Actually, Stephen, there is nothing wrong with my facts:
http://activerain.com/blogs/cahia
“I honestly can’t say I agree with the article and I even got quoted in it! Steve seems to start with a premise and builds it into an article without determining if the premise is correct. It’s pretty poor reporting. It’s a pretty poor concept especially if anyone out there actually believes he’s being accurate. I just talked to a seller who happened to have the article on the coffee table. They were consulting it for tips on how to go about their home buying process. Pretty scary since now they’re looking for help because they don’t feel they could trust the listing agent but still don’t want to pay a buyer’s agent. They’re currently working with the listing agent who they don’t trust. Sorry, you gave up your right to seller paid buyer representation, can you pay out of pocket?…didn’t think so. Go it alone? Good job Mr. Gandel, that advice will lose your readers far more than they’ll ever save. If someone wants to attempt whats in the article fine with me, but don’t come crying to me. No more free advice to homebuyers, I believe the saying is ‘casting pearls before swine’…not the I’m calling anyone swine.
I got more about my conversations with Stephen Gandel via email and phone on my blog http://www.spencerbarron.com
01/28/2007 by Spencer Barron”
Laurie Manny
February 24th, 2007
I don’t really think I was mis-quoted. I was just heavily edited. I agree with Steve that it would be impossible to print everything of what I said. That’s why I have a blog, I’m sure I discuss each aspect of the article at length. I even understand why some people might reach the idea that Steve’s advice might be a good idea. But personally, In Denver, the advice would just get people into trouble and has. I do feel though that many of these types of articles are dreampt up at a conference room table then built into an article. I didn’t feel the advice was well thought thru but rather designed to play to what the public would like to believe. I actually enjoy the articles in the sense that this is what many people think. At the very least, it encourages discussion. As far as advice or rules to follow to save money, it’s not so good.
Spencer Barron
February 24th, 2007
Thank you, Spencer.
stephen gandel
March 21st, 2007
Cracking up laughing
Laurie Manny
April 4th, 2007