Steve Bornfeld,

Your wife may be interested in this information.

Joel

Also there are laws concerning dscrimination
which are very complicated.  Did you know for instance if you put in an
advertisement that says "Perfect for the retiree" or "Bring your family"
that you can be SUED for discrimination?  There are so many subtle things
out there that the average citizen has no idea of that a Realtor is TRAINED
to know.  Most Realtors take extensive courses to keep them on top of the
latest laws and rules.

Chula,

I am not a realtor and have sold only one home, but  I found a great site,
which supports  your assertion,.  Although specific to the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, it deals with the very issue you wrote about.  In fact it
includes some of the words or phrases similar to the ones you used as
examples.

Go to:
http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/PHRC/publications/literature/Between%20The%
20Lines%20READ.p

df

Scroll to Page 13 of the document itself and you will see the heading -
"Examples of Advertisements Considered Unlawful by the PHRC (Pennsylvania
Human Relations Commission)"  - I would think similar rules are used in the
other 49 states.

Seraph

**

Internet:

Always interesting and informative.

I was wondering about those allegations and apparently
this is correct.

Thanks.

Joel

"Seraph" <seraph@dc.rr.comtakeoffpounds> wrote in message

news:Cuxhe.317$h86.190@tornado.socal.rr.com...

http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/PHRC/publications/literature/Between%20The%
20Lines%20READ.pdf

the

news:OyRge.13389$iU.11489@lakeread05:

Newspaper ads are an obvious ommission.

Also that 90% of buyers eventually work with a realtor.  How
are you going to let the realtors in your area know about the
house and will you pay them a finder's fee?? \
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Why would they bother showing a house for a "finders fee" when they can sell
any of 500 other houses for full commission?  They aren't going to bother.
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I apologize that I did not get the original post.  Lame news server.
Most people don't realize that "good" realtors spend more than $1,000 in
marketing expenses per listing. This includes mail out pieces, flyers,
newspaper ads, ads in "Real Estate" magazines, etc.  What most people who
try to sell their own homes don't realize is that by having their property
listed in the MLS (multi listing service), they are in effect, having their
property marketed by hundreds of realtors every single day.  This is the
kind of exposure that no home owner could hope to duplicate without spending
thousands of dollars.
Additionally, Realtors provide invaluable services to home owners by being
aware of the most recent laws affecting home sales. Lead paint disclosures
is a perfect example of this.  Also there are laws concerning dscrimination
which are very complicated.  Did you know for instance if you put in an
advertisement that says "Perfect for the retiree" or "Bring your family"
that you can be SUED for discrimination?  There are so many subtle things
out there that the average citizen has no idea of that a Realtor is TRAINED
to know.  Most Realtors take extensive courses to keep them on top of the
latest laws and rules.
Then there is the issue of paperwork.  Home owners could lose thousands of
dollars if some slick con man comes along and knows that he is not being
represented by an attorney or is not using a Realtor.  It is enough to make
your hair curl.  You could lose all of your equity in your home!  Taking a
chance on saving a little money on commission could result in losing
thousands of dollars.  If this is a chance that you are willing to take,
fine.  But it is a foolish one.
Realtors are trained professionals.  I'm sure you wouldn't take out your own
appendix instead of going to a doctor.  Do you drill your own teeth when you
need dental work?  Silly questions maybe, but you are doing the same thing
by not trusting this very important transaction to a trained professional.
Selling your own house can be done - it is done every single day - but it is
no coincidence that more than 90 percent of home owners who try it
themselves eventually turn to a Realtor for help.
chula