When I meet with a buyer for the first time to show them homes, I make it a point to present them with a consumer guide to agency relationships (which I keep in my trunk) and, although most will sign I am sometimes met with looks of fear, anger, and skepticism. While I think I do my best to explain the document, some buyers simply refuse. When that happens you are to write on the form that the buyer refused to sign. It's my belief that those who refuse to sign do so because they feel they are signing a contract that will forever bind them to me.
THIS SIMPLY IS NOT TRUE. IT IS NOT A BUYER REPRESENTATION AGREEMENT NOR A CONTRACT OF ANY KIND. THE LAST LINE OF OUR CONSUMER GUIDE READS:
"Your signature will not obligate you to work with our company if you do not choose to do so."
The consumer guide is a document that explains what types of relationships can be created between an agent and his or her client and between the brokerage and the client.
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I have found that rather than giving it to them at the first showing it is be beneficial to e-mail the guide to prospective buyers and sellers so they can read it in the comfort of their own home, though this is not always possible. Then ask for an e-mail acknowledgement from them along with the signed copy of the guide.
THE IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS THIS:
IN OHIO, YOU MUST PRESENT AND EXPLAIN TO YOUR BUYER CLIENTS "THE CONSUMER GUIDE TO AGENCY RELATIONSHIPS" DOCUMENT BEFORE, YES, BEFORE YOU SHOW HOMES TO THAT CLIENT.
IF YOU PREQUALIFY YOUR BUYER CLIENTS OR ASK THEM ABOUT THEIR FINANCIAL INFORMATION, THEN THIS FORM MUST BE PRESENTED BEFORE DOING SO AND BEFORE SHOWING A HOME, (OTHER THAN AT AN OPEN HOUSE), AND BEFORE DISCUSSING AN OFFER, OR WRITING AN OFFER.
THE CONSUMER GUIDE MUST ALSO BE GIVEN TO A SELLER BEFORE A HOME IS SHOWN OR MARKETED.
FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS VISIT THE OHIO ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING PURCHASING OR SELLING A HOME SOON, PLEASE CONTACT BARB SZABO. I'D BE DELIGHTED TO SPEAK WITH YOU.
If you would like to buy or sell a home in the southern communities of Cleveland Ohio, please call me at 440-263-7496, or you may want to visit my website for more specific information on the communities I service: Brecksville Ohio Real Estate, Broadview Heights Ohio Real Estate, North Royalton Ohio Real Estate Independence Ohio Real Estate, Seven Hills Ohio Real Estate, Parma Ohio Real Estate, Parma Heights Ohio Real Estate and Middleburg Heights Ohio Real Estate. Information is obtained from Neohrex (Northeast Ohio Real Estate Exchange) and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Properties subject to prior sale, rental, or other status changes. All properties that are advertised as being listed or sold by Barb Szabo are in conjuntion with ReMax Trinity.
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Barb, I use the word "acknowledgement" to explain the form. I have been there with these forms on the client side, and I agree "commitment" is the scary thing they fear.
Gary,I agree. It is scary. That's why I want people to knwo that it's not a contract. Thanks for stopping by.
Barb -- can you email a copy of your guide. We have just about finsihed one for NH and I would like to take a look. Thanks.
Joan, I'll get it to you shortly.
Barb, I can understand in the world we live in that people might be very skeptical signing anything. Emailing like you said would be the best way as long as they do sign it and return.
Perhaps, there is a way without scaring them...I'll give this one some thought.
Hey, Barb.
May I offer a suggestion for your blogs? Using ALL CAPS on the Internet is, according to Internet etiquette, considered yelling. You have some good information here, so I don't think you need to yell at anyone, especially prospective Clients who might be reading.
ALL CAPS is also more difficult to read because the mind and eye have not developed reading ALL CAPS, so we have to slow down. Too much ALL CAPS can be a strain on the eyes, resulting in eye fatigue. Especially in the titles to your blogs, stay away from ALL CAPS since it's that title that is supposed to catch someone's attention and bring them in for more detailed information.
Take advantage of bold, italics, underlining, even strike-through to get your message across. You can go even further by learning the basics of HTML coding so you can use colored fonts, large fonts, etc.
Russell, Thanks so much for the advice! My "all caps" are history!