Story for fellow ACREs to appreciate.

Around a year ago, I started an on-line dialog with a buyer from another state who was looking to relocate in my area. We had numerous phone conversations and discovered he even lived in my old neighborhood in Portland, Oregon. One day I get a phone call from him saying he was in the area and wanted to view some properties. I thought," Somewhere between Oregon and Texas it didn't occur to you to phone ahead and make an appointment." Allowed, I only informed him that I was on my way to a funeral and wouldn't be available to show him anything, but I could refer him to another agent. He asked if I could show him properties later that day. I said I honestly didn't anticipate being in any shape to work afterward as the deceased was a very close friend of the family. Would he be ok with looking tomorrow? The buyer told me that would be fine.

Later that afternoon, I was reading my email and found one from him saying that he was driving around and found some properties he wanted to look at, so he started working with another Realtor, adding "I'm sure you understand." So last week I get another email from him saying it didn't work out with the other agent, but they were going to buy something in the next couple of months and he wanted to work with me. I told him, I was an Accredited Consultant in Real Estate and I would help him for x bucks an hour credited back at close.

After he's already shown his true colors, I wasn't thrilled at the prospect of working with him, but I have to admit, getting paid whether he buys or not sure makes me feel better. Thanks ACRE!

THIS IS LONG, FOLKS (SORRY)....BUT HOPEFULLY HAS SOME GREAT NUGGETS IN IT FOR YOU!

We just completed our very first Teleseminar for 2008 - the topic being "Consulting with Homeowners". What follows is as much of the "essence" of this discussion as my dancing little fingers were able to capture...but hopefully it will be sufficient to be a "reminder" for the great group who participated...while also offering some food for thought for those who were not able to make it. We hope, whether you were able to join us today or not, the following will jog your imagination, get the creative juices flowing, and generate some of those fabulous AHA!!! Moments that some of today's participants experienced. Hopefully, you'll want to continue the dialogue here...ask questions, make comments....we'd really LOVE your input!!!

Ok, as I was saying when I welcomed Linda, my board here in Richmond just clarified the subject of charging for CMAs or BPOs.

In an article in our recent CVRMLS Board magazine, the author pointed to the Code of Virginia Secttion 54.1-2011.A which states "It shall be unlawful to enagage in the appraisal of real estate or real property for compensation or valuable consideration in this Commonwealth without first obtaining an appraiser's license in accordance with Board regulations."

We can still perform these duties, we just can't get paid for them, or else, we would also be in violation of Article 11 of the Code of Ethics by providing services that are outside our normal course of business.

Of course, I disagree with this interpretation and have been charging for CMAs in my previous consulting efforts because I am not trying to perform an appraisal nor do I represent the work product as an appraisal. it is merely an agent's professional opinion of market value. But, I'll conform just as Linda and, others, I'm sure, will have to do as well. There is so much more to what we offer than just doing CMAs.

Merv and Susan M, I'd be interested in your take on this subject. And, Martha , since you are our board's recent past president, do you have any insight into this matter?

Deb Orth
Keller Williams Realty
Richmond, Va