Comments on: Advertising rules: Part II

By: Brett Woodburn

Brett Woodburn — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:25:23 +0000

Kathy, there is no such RESPA requirement to my knowledge. That would not be something that would likely fall within HUD’s purview for enforcing RESPA.

By: Kathy Opperman

Kathy Opperman — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 06:37:53 +0000

I agree with the others, in that the recommendation is unrealistic. Just to point out what you said, this is not a law or a regulation, but rather it is a recommendation. Worse case would be a letter of warning, I would imagine?

Also, has anyone heard of a new RESPA requirement which says we must include our license numbers on certain correspondence, and if so what are the details, thanks!

By: Donna Olson

Donna Olson — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:58:20 +0000

As a few other agents have indicated #1 We do understand the need to protect consumers and certainly that is important.
However, it seems that Realtors are required to do things that are never required of other people in business who work with consumers. My ? is why at the beginning of types of “advertisments” including emails? In normal communication between parties doing business the format is for this information to be at the END of communication, NOT in the beginning. It would seem appropriate to place at the end.
This is a recommedation by the Real Estate Commission so it appears that we can continue to place this information at the end of emails.

By: Hank Lerner, Esq.

Hank Lerner, Esq. — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:49:49 +0000

Links to all the relevant advertising regulations/guidelines are on the PAR Website at http://www.parealtor.org/content/IssuesResourceCenter_main.htm (click “Advertising Resources”)

By: Daria

Daria — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:50:41 +0000

Would Facebook and Twitter be considered bulletin boards? Required information on Twitter could comprise the entire allowable number of characters. The same is true for instant messages.

And for blog posts, required information could fill preview space, so that when a post is linked to another blog post or Facebook message, potential readers see only the agent/broker info and not the content. That has the potential to turn a communication with added value to consumers into spam with no value to consumers.

For emails and websites, the suggestions are fine. The required information can be incorporated into the layout without detracting substantially from the content. That’s just not so for bulletin boards, instant messages and the like.

By: Malcolm Waring

Malcolm Waring — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:50:25 +0000

Malcolm Waring
Realty Executives
Stroudsburg, PA
Pennsylvania

Hello Brett,

That extra Pennsylvania seems redundant.

Regards,

Malcolm Waring
Realty Executives
Stroudsburg, PA
Pennsylvania

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:37:12 +0000

Well intended overkill… As long as the information is disclosed prominently, why must it be on the top of a web page? Move that approach over to other media advertising… Would your “$5,000 Price Reduction” top line serve your marketing goal as well if it were buried in the middle of your newspaper adv? Consumer protection is very important… but PAREC should not promulgate unneeded rules.

By: Amy Galligan

Amy Galligan — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:30:36 +0000

I would love to see how many agents place thier information at the beginning of an email… I guess it is suggesting that you have a banner at the top of the emails with all that info & such… I will have to see how to make a nice one & will share with everyone if I figure it out… Thanks for the info…

By: Linda Burgwin

Linda Burgwin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:55:05 +0000

I always put all identifiing information on the botton of all ads. I do not like puttin it at the beginning. Why would any regulatory commission care as long as it it in the ad. Realtors are hurting and we get more and more regualtion and for what reason. This one makes no sense at all.