There is a specific reason I don't use agency information.  Many consumers who are searching for homes on the internet don't want to be bothered by a real estate agent.  They assume we are the enemy, sharks in the water, and in a lot of cases we are.  Bombarding them with information to try and get them as clients.  So far it has worked and I don't plan on changing anytime soon!

I have plenty of opportunity for them to contact me by varies links should they choose.  

Mark

I think all those people better go read up on the NEW updates to the Code Of Ethics that took effect in January!  Most if not all are in violation by not displaying some information!

http://www.realtor.org/mempolweb.nsf/pages/code

Hello Beth,

It also is amazing to me that even our local agents do not bother to check there sites for Handshakes. I have 21 outstanding as of today and when I look at the sites they haven't even added listings.

I accept any local sites in an effort to display as many listings as possible.

Mark may have a point on his site but it would seem at least a mention of your Brokerage and contact info on the front page would help the consumer know who you are ?

I know when I am looking for information on a web site its good to see  at least some reference as to the source of the information.

Good point, Becky.   Good point, Becky.

In Oregon, those agents would also be in violation of state law as prescribed by the Oregon Real Estate Agency.  Summarizing, here the REA dictates that on the homepage, all Oregon licensed brokers/agents must have (somewhere) their name, the true company name, and the phone # of the main office, among other things.

Not that all Oregon agents do that, but I'm sure most are just unaware of the state laws as well as the specifics of the NAR code of ethics, which you point out.

Phil

Great post, Beth.

All those "secret agents" out there need to get that contact info prominently displayed on their sites in order to be in compliance.  I also try to look at it from the client's point of view. I know if I'm checking out some business's site, trying to get more info and possibly hire them, and there's no contact info other than an email address, I leave that site in a heartbeat.  It all seems kind of shady to me.

That's just MHO.

Hello,

I just realized that when I redesigned my site the brokerage name was put in the template but did not show up on the website.  Then when I re-entered the logo it showed up in the wrong location.  There may be an error on point2 agent side.  Although that is a guess.

Natalie Larsen

Great post. Some in my area are so secret they don't even include the asking price.

Mark,

You might want to take a fresh look at Florida law.  I believe your little plan for hiding the fact you are a licensed agent just might cause you to become a "formally licensed agent".

FREC might be very interested in your strategy.  Why do you run it by them and see.

Okay, one more comment about Mark's strategy...

He said he doesn't reveal that he is an agent because "Many consumers who are searching for homes on the internet don't want to be bothered by a real estate agent.  They assume we are the enemy, sharks in the water,..."

Uh? And just what would make them think something like that?  Could it be because of the very thing Mark is doing?  Hmmm.....

I'll just file this in my file of "things I just don't understand".

Florida Law is the following:

Rule 61J2-10.025(3)(a), Florida Administrative Code, provides that if a brokerage firm is advertising on the Internet, the licensed name of the firm “shall be placed adjacent to or immediately above or below the point of contact information.”

The rule states: “Point of contact information” refers to any means by which to contact the brokerage firm or individual licensee including mailing addresses(es), physical street address(es), e-mail address(es), telephone number(s) or facsimile telephone number(s).

Realtor Ethics?

Now in some cases thats funny.

Matt Smith

You need to remember that most people are set it and forget it people. You build they will come. NOT TRUE as most of us know. But that is why there is the 80/20 rule in real estate. 20% of the people do 80% of the business.

Let them learn the hard way and let the rest of the P2 community continue to help each other remain the the 20% of Realtors out there.

Todd

An agent that is trying to hide the fact that they are an agent - not only is breaking various Realtor and local agency laws but, IS the agent that clients should be concerned about being in contact with. With deceit being your introduction - where does it go from there?

I think that in this day an age of DISCLOSURES, we all need to disclose our identity and agency. It is for our own protection, but also for courtesy for the broker who hired us. Also, the buyer has a right to know who we are. If I see someone trying to offer me service, info, a product or whatever, I want to know who that person is, and what company he is with. I will not do business with someone I dont know period.

Maybe Mark's designing a site based on the principles used with a stealth site. If the site was up and running before the change in the COE, is he required to change? Or would he be grandfathered? There are quite a few reputable Realtors who have had stealth sites up and running long before NAR considered web advertising in the COE.

Two points, Jackie.  In Florida, the law has required full disclosure in all advertising for a loooooong time and any agent who isn't aware of it just isn't paying attention.

Second, Mark used the 'shark' analogy when in fact this so-called 'stealth' site is performing exactly as one might expect a shark to act.... quietly moving about, unseen, in the murky waters just waiting for the right moment to attack.

If I misunderstood Mark's comments and intentions then I will apologize, but from what I see and read, what he is doing is both unethical and unlawful.  And to add insult to injury, he commented "So far it has worked and I don't plan on changing anytime soon!"  I view that as someone who knows what he is doing and is daring anyone to challenge him on it.  That is an attitude that does nothing to enhance our image with the general public.

Mark was even so bold as to admit who he is: "They assume we are the enemy, sharks in the water, and in a lot of cases we are."  Speak for yourself, Mark, WE are not sharks and WE are not enemies of the public.  We are advocates, consultants and friends to OUR public.

Tim and Susan,

Is Mark in Florida? Also, I guess I read his statement differently. I take his comments as - the public has low opinions of us so I'm not prominately displaying I'm an agent. I also interpreted his comments that since potential buyers don't want to be bugged, that he was offering a non threatening means for a consumer to get information. Without a phone number I don't know how they contact him. There's a large producer in Idaho who has a very nice stealth site. It discloses at the bottom and in quite small print that he's a Realtor. I'm in Michigan, but I'm assumming he's complying with Idaho law. And I know this site was up and getting him business before the change in the code of ethics.

That's the idea behind a stealth site. To give information information in a non threatening manner.

One other thing - it would be nice if there was a spell checker on the add a comment section. My spelling sucks and I don't carry a dictionary with my laptop.

Jackie,

Sorry... I just saw your question.  Yes, Mark is in the Tampa area I think (Lutz, FL?).

I fully understand and appreciate the altruistic side of the "stealth" site... that is, to provide information HOWEVER, when the "stealth" site is really only posing as an information portal in order to grab prospects, it becomes the very thing people hate about 'salespeople' in general.  When anyone purposely HIDES who they are and what their intention is in order to lure a person into spending money with them, that practice is 'questionable' at best and downright 'unethical' and 'illegal' at worst.

The word that comes to mind anytime I hear of someone 'hiding' in that manner is AMWAY.  

If I can't be proud of who I am and what I do - proud enough to shout it from the rooftops - then it's time for me to find another line of work.  I am PROUD of what I do for my customers and see no reason to hide anything from them EVER.