Clear communication is important.  Citing the source.  Presenting facts in a professional manner and knowing the proper people-in-the-know.  Maintaining the right tools is key as is a good command of knowing how/when to contact appropriate referrals.  

never..... I stay in my lane..... when I was active, my lane was new construction.... I knew the code....had my builders license (unrestricted) and completed all of the major college courses in a building construction program at a local college.... the simple questions that were asked, I could easily answer and confirmed the answer with the builder.

Most of the time. I use answers on what I've done in the past. I do not answer if I do not know - that's were you get into trouble. Nothing wrong with saying I will find out.

There are many questions we need to refer them to do their own research, such as:
"Is this a safe neighborhood?"

It depends, Our liability is over whelming if we really consider the trends in the business.  Staying in your lane is a moving target.  I try to answer every question I know the correct answer to.  If not I refer an expert.  

Just because our license allows us to perform certain services, there might be other reasons to make sure we don't get ourselves involved "outside our scope of expertise" such as our E&O insurance doesn't cover it.  For example, are you covered for property management or selling commercial properties?

Yes, questions are not related to real estate I won't be able to answer.

I think I do pretty good at staying in my lane Rose Mary Justice . I need to be careful as a Notary Public as well because people are always asking me about the legal docs they are signing.

Rose Mary ~ I am sure I did a couple of times early in my career, but now I refer them to someone with professional authority to answer their question... and limit my liability.

Of course I do!  And if they have questions outside my expertise I refer them out to a few appropiate folks.

I am very careful about what I say regarding things that are not in my expertise. North Carolina Real Estate Commission reminds us all the time to stay in our lane. For example, buyers always ask me how I think the roof looks. I always tell them to me it looks like a roof, but if they have concerns we can have an inspection. I have never stuck my neck out and opined on something I know little about.

Nope, I often say,"I'm not a lawyer, I'm not a CPA, I'm not a... but I have several I can refer you!"

I stay in my lane.  I don't answer tax or legal questions and I have lawyers I can refer out to if they need it.

Oh, you bet! I'm VERY law-abiding!!

Yes, Bob Crane 

I'd do the same.

Rose Mary,

You wrote:

"Clients often ask questions that we can become liable for if we answer incorrectly or outside our scope of expertise."

I would hope it is a rare occurrence that a client would ask a question outside your expertise.

In those cases it’s best to offer to either:

# 1 Do the needed research, or

# 2 Find them a qualified person to ask.

I have had situations like this:

We were looking in the basement of a house and the steel I-beam was warped. I didn’t tell the client anything but just pointed it out, and asked if it looked warped to them. They said it did. I made them aware that I could get them contact information for structural engineers if they wanted to pursue the house, which they didn’t. I didn’t give them an answer outside my expertise but I did serve them well.

Our corporate attorneys are always telling us to be aware and not enter areas where we have no expertise. 

I stick with what I know. Sometimes, even if I do know, I don't always answer if it's something than can and should be answered by a professional in another field.

Sometimes it's more important what you don't say, than what you say. 

I stay in my lane, especially when it comes to questions for contractors or building inspectors.  I can tell them if the home will suit them and if they'll look good in the home as I operated Emo's Image Consultancy for years and years, lol

I definitely stay in my lane, I have been taught to be the source of the source, rather than the source, haha.

I answer those things that are within my area of expertise. Everything else gets referred to the appropriate attorney, inspector, etc.

Rose, the only time I enter another lane is if it is construction. I'm a licensed state contractor. So, I don't get concerned about questions in that field, but beyond that, I'm just the source of the source for answers.

I have wide lanes. Seriously,  try to avoid opinion and stick to facts. How are the schools? Here are some sites that have school ratings. How much should we bid? Here are the last few sales in the neighborhood.

Let them make educated decisions.

Everyone strays from their lanes once in awhile. When you do, know the answer from previous experience. Otherwise hear the warning signal in your head and refer them to a source. 

I answer every question as if I were in court on trial.

I answered ALL the questions when my kid bought a house because I was also her mom.  But I generally sanswer with... that's a loan officer question or that's a tax attorney question or that's a (fill in the blank) and don't overstep my bounds.

Honesty is an important part of my make-up and commitment to doing business right. That precludes making stuff up. That also included knowing about stuff I cannot say or should not discuss.

I know enough to refer clients to an attny or tax accountant when needed.

I have managed many hot waters since I first started. If it is something I am unsure about, I let the appropriate person answer those questions. So far, I'm able to stay in my own lane.

Rose Mary, we are super careful about staying in our lane at all times.  And we double and triple check our statements, and usually give a link to the information source.  I learned that in writing papers from high school to grad school.  A

Yes, I stay in my own lane.  I am frequently asked legal and tax questions all of which are directed to the appropriate professional. 

I have not answered something I should not have. 

There is only one safe lane to be in.

I find myself often starting a sentence with "I'm not a ____________ but in my experience __________________ . I would check with your ________________ ". 

yes. Be careful. 

I remember when I first started on Active Rain, participants with the 'stay in your line' mentality answered the majority of questions with 'You need to consult your attorney or accountant."

Folks did not find AR very beneficial,,,even the participating agents. Fortuneately, most of those 'laners' are no longer here.

Regarding your question, one seriously needs to ask you, "Rose Mary, can you provide and example of a 'wrong lane' question?" We might even witness how such questions should be managed properly.

A lot of agents are overly cautious in my market and say nothing- leaving it to the attorney's. That said- being too cautious makes you sound like you know nothing, making clients question what you do. Personally, I am President of my condo association and have managed dozens of large projects- so I have no problem speaking up in most cases. That said- there are areas where I prefer to just let the attorney's speak- since they play a signficant role in deals here.  It's just better sometimes to defer to them, because even if I know the facts, it's better that it comes from the attorney- so no room for misunderstanding from my end. 

No, I prefer not to get into trouble.  You never know when it could be a "tester".

Yes, I stay in my lane, and help folks find experts who can help as needed.

YES - nothing drives me crazier than someone else giving bad information because they "wanted to help" by offering advice in an arena they know nothing about

Definitely could be construed as a violation of Code of Ethics Article 11.