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Richie Alan Naggar, agent & author  (people first...then business Ran Right Realty )

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Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Richie, it depends on what it is.  I recently had a seller want to lower the list price. Comps support the list price.  I all but begged her not to lower the price. She insisted. In the listing modification addendum, I noted that lowering the price is against the broker's recommendation.  


Whatever it is, gets fully documented in writing.  

Sep 04, 2021 01:46 PM
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Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

How serious of a disagreement, Richie? 

    If I feel that the client is damaging himself/herself, I may put my advice in writing or otherwise document that "I warned them".

Sep 04, 2021 01:17 PM
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John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

I recently had a client suggest that I stretch the truth. I refused and told him I was not about the do what I deemed was dishonest. We moved forward and the transaction has closed.

 

It is the client's home or buyer's desire to buy. If they insist on doing what I deem to be unwise, I will probably go along after giving my advice, expressing my opinion (both of those in writing) and as long as what the client wants is legal and ethical. I can't fix their poor judgment.

 

Another alternative is to offer to end the relationship. Are you willing to cancel a listing over a difference in opinion? Are you willing to recommend to a buyer that they seek a new agent over a difference in opinion?

Sep 04, 2021 02:41 PM
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Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

My fiduciary duties to my client never override their decisions.

 

I am not shy, they will get my professional opinion.  And then they get to make an informed decision.  If they choose to ignore my input, that's entirely up to them.  I have done my fiduciary duty by giving them the benefit of my expertise.  Period.

Sep 04, 2021 04:14 PM
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Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I will not work with people playing fast and loose with truth, law or ethics, and have fired people for wanting to be on the wrong side of the line. I don't even want to be around people like that.

In the words of one of the best real estate defense attorneys in our state, the greatest risk reduction tool is client selection.

Sep 05, 2021 07:04 AM
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Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Not too very long ago, I disagreed with the seller's request. When told  I was working for THEM...I replied,...not anymore.

Sep 04, 2021 05:42 PM
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Steve Higgins
RE/MAX Kelowna - Kelowna, BC

It would all depend on what they are asking.

Sep 04, 2021 03:47 PM
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Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

If we know of something that should be disclosed, we are obligated to disclose it or risk losing our license.  I would not work with a client that is willing to put my license at risk.  I would also get a legal opinion before making any final decision.

Sep 05, 2021 05:47 AM
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I am generally successful at educating our clients to do the right thing.

Sep 05, 2021 05:30 AM
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

The client is in charge of their decisions but if that decision conflicts with me/the brokerage or statutory requirements then I can decide to agree or dissolve the relationship.  This is definitely an "it depends" situation given the information you have shared.  

Sep 05, 2021 04:53 AM
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Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I'm in agreement with John Juarez.  You make your recommendations, but it's the client that calls the shots.  So long as it's nothing unethical or illegal, I don't see any reason not to comply.  Document your disagreement in an email or on a form, if it's significant enough.  Termination of the relationship is warranted if the client wishes to do something illegal or unethical.

Sep 04, 2021 10:48 PM
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Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

If they are going to break an ethical rule or the law - if they plan to deceive or become liable to get sued,  I'm the prevailing authority or I'm gone.

If it's about something debatable, I have them sign a hold harmless - "acting against the advice of their agent"  and let them head-butt the proverbial brick wall I tried to steer them away from.

Sep 04, 2021 05:05 PM
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Shayne Stone
HomeSmart - Fulshear, TX
"Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor" RETIRED

That would all depend if it was legal or not. But if it was legal and against my advice, I would have them write out the instruction (somewhat like a waiver, but fo me) and have sign it. 

Sep 04, 2021 04:21 PM
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Depends on what it is. Price reduction after so many days at their price. I do & have told sellers & buyers what would be in their best interest & sometimes you just have to leave it at that.

Sep 04, 2021 02:54 PM
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

COE requires that we follow our clients' lawful instructions. If it's about property condition disclosures we must disclose if we know whether they want us to or not. If clients resist my best advice I do codify it in writing so there's no misundertanding in the future. My fiduciary responsibilities do not extend to doing anything illegal or unethical.

Sep 05, 2021 07:17 AM
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Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Depends on what it is, and if it is in their best interest or legal.   I always encourage an open conversation, so we would talk about whatever they are thinking.

Sep 05, 2021 06:45 AM
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Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

As Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist and Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate stated, doument, document, document.

Sep 05, 2021 04:47 AM
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Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

As long as what they are asking us to do is not immoral, unethical, or illegal we are bound to comply with their wishes

Sep 05, 2021 09:36 AM
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Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

I won' allow known fraud to exist on any transaction I'm involved in.  A client I represent will be honest if answering a question or disclosing a condition or I will need to lose the client.  My license and honor are far more important to me.

Sep 05, 2021 10:31 PM
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Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

We can offer advice, but at the end of the day it's the client's decision. If we strongly feel it is not in their best interest, we should have our recommendation in writing to document it.

Sep 05, 2021 04:56 PM