Is the Bill of Rights outdated?
Bill Wendell at the Real Estate Café has been a consumer advocate for real estate consumers since before it was popular. Another ally, Erle Rowlins, wrote these “Real estate consumer’s Bill of Rights” in 1999. They are on the Real Estate Café web site.
1. Right of information access without limitation.
2. Right not to be coerced into using products or service providers.
3. Right to be respected as an individual.
4. Right to a full disclosure of all material facts known.
5. Right to have advance, competent legal advice.
6. Right to legal remedies for wrongful actions.
7. Right to protect confidential information.
8. Right of access to alternative service providers.
9. Right for an advance disclosure of all fees and to pay for services based on the value of the service received.
10. Right of security for all electronic transactions, communications and information seeking.
(Copyright 1999, Erle Rawlins III, 214-363-7400)
We have come a long way in the past ten years. Many of these rights listed above have been achieved or we are headed in the right direction. Some are covered by law. Some by changes in technology. Do you agree, or are there still violations of these rights?
The one right that I see lagging behind is access to alternate service providers. Fee-for-service brokers are hard to find. Many traditional brokers have a menu of services, but mostly still work in the old commission model.
Have you used a fee-for-service broker or an attorney as broker? Have you hired a facilitator to market your property or guide your home search? Have you paid for research? Are alternative service providers thriving here?
