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goosey65 t1_j68jgrf wrote

Reply to comment by spidermansaysherp in Report: The State of Housing in the Richmond Region 2023 by opienandm

While one individual choice can’t change a systematic issue on its own, we, as individuals, can have and should have personal ethics that impact our larger decisions.

In recent years, many in the real estate industry have pushed against writing to the home owners. Also, this person didn’t say they didn’t tell their clients not to, he said he pushes back when people talk about it on Reddit.

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spidermansaysherp t1_j69cybe wrote

I agree with everything you said. The economic reality of the housing market does make it harder for individuals to care about others though because it unfortunately is a zero-sum game currently.

Also, sure, this poster has only warned people on reddit, but that leaves two scenarios:

  1. They tell people on reddit not to it and they also tell their clients not to do it. In my opinion, I don't think that is working in a client's best interest based on what's currently legal. I can't speak to professional or ethics norms because I don't work in that industry.

  2. They tell people on reddit not to do it and then tell their clients to do it. Maybe a good strategy, but people on reddit would probably not be happy to hear this.

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gowhatyourself t1_j69s4hf wrote

> Also, sure, this poster has only warns people on reddit, but that leaves two scenarios: > > They tell people on reddit not to it and they also tell their clients not to do it. In my opinion, I don't think that is working in a client's best interest based on what's currently legal. I can't speak to professional or ethics norms because I don't work in that industry.

As I've already said that as an agent I'm not supposed to have anything to do with buyer love letters. I tell buyers they are a dumb idea that could backfire badly on them because they could just as easily be discriminated against. My broker does not approve of it. The NAR and RAR absolutely do not approve of it and have sent out numerous bulletins and emails saying they do not approve of it and do not want people to engage in the practice. I'm pretty sure HUD has even come out and said they can put you in legal jeopardy over fair housing laws. Agents who are using them regardless of all of these warnings are not agents I would advise working with for the same reason I wouldn't suggest working with agents who skirt other best practices, procedures, or laws.

I also tell my sellers that we should not accept letters under any circumstances and that I will be telling agents submitting letters that they will not be looked at or reviewed by the seller. I have picked up the phone and lit people up who sent me letters after stating up front that I do not want to see them.

Most agents agree with this position! Many will specifically state in listing agent-only comments that buyer letters will not be reviewed or passed on to the seller and that they do not want to receive them. Including them could negatively effect the perception of your offer. I'm not an outlier here. Suggesting that I am not working in the best interests of my clients is nuts considering that engaging in this kind of behavior can actively work against the interests of a client, put you in jeopardy with your brokerage/RAR/HUD, and even leave your buyer open to being discriminated against.

Or I'm making all of this up in an effort to misdirect the entire RVA reddit real estate market to give my buyers the unfair advantage. Totally plausible of course. Sure. Why not.

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spidermansaysherp t1_j6a10ua wrote

Whatever dude, doesn't affect my livelihood in any way. Writing letters worked for me and lots of people I know. I don't agree with you and that's fine.

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gowhatyourself t1_j6afuym wrote

> Whatever dude, doesn't affect my livelihood in any way. Writing letters ::insert discriminating behavior that benefits you here:: worked for me and lots of people I know . I don't agree with you and that's fine.

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