Remember this little ditty from a few weeks ago?
Do Not Allow Children to Play in the Dishwasher
And, other gentle reminders…
The busy Spring selling season is upon us, and it’s inspired several phone calls to the office asking that we put out reminders about some basic ‘etiquette’ that has fallen by the wayside but is rearing its ugly head now that buyers have awoken from their winter slumber. Here’s what we’ve been hearing:
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- Remember, as a fiduciary, you’re responsible for ‘your side of the transaction’ only! Please, seller’s agents – don’t contact the buyer’s attorney. Buyer’s agent’s, don’t contact the seller’s attorney. And such…
REALTORS seem to want to be all things to all people, but that’s just not your role. If you are a seller’s agent, your communication should be with the cooperating broker/agent, the seller’s attorney and professionals that they engage, and, of course, the seller. In the reverse, if you are a buyer’s agent, your communication should be with the cooperating broker/agent, the buyer’s attorney and professionals that they engage, and of course, the buyer. YOU SHOULD NOT be communicating with, providing documents to, or discussing the transaction with the other parties or their representatives.
We’ve been asked, “What about the Contact Worksheet?” Often times, the seller’s agent or the buyer’s agent doesn’t want to provide contact information for their client to the cooperating side. That’s OK. The buyer’s agent should send the contact worksheet with the information they have available completed to the mortgage lender and the buyer’s attorney. The seller’s agent can complete the information they have available to send separately to the seller’s attorney. The information does not have to appear all on the same form.
Go. Make the deal. Sell the house, and be successful!