Crazy Sh*t In Real Estate with Leigh Brown - Episode #99 with Jessica Hickok

Are you INSPIRED? Jessica is, and she believes the #1 key to being better and achieving more is finding your inspiration. As the head of the Oklahoma Realtors Association, Jessica breaks down the Code of Ethics, what it means, and how it is used to uphold the name of realtors nation-wide. Tune in to learn why you must be familiar with the Code of Ethics, whether you are a realtor or a client, and how you can do your part to raise the bar in the industry. Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience. Time Stamped Show Notes: 00:38 – Jessica is the head of the Oklahoma Realtors Association 00:56 – She runs the association and has been in management for 5 years, she was a real estate broker before that 01:30 – She manages over 11,000 realtors in the state 01:44 – Complaints filed and professionalism in the industry; what has she seen? 02:32 – All associations offer Professional Standards Administration and all realtors agree to abide by a code of ethics 02:52 – Code of Ethics is administered by state or local association; in OK the Association manages it state-wide 03:10 – Ethics complaints and arbitration requests can be filed through Association 03:19 – Ethics complaints are reviewed by peer panel 03:52 – Read a copy of the Code of Ethics at http://www.nar.realtor/ 04:02 – Good realtors know the Code of Ethics 04:45 – Local association: new members start here, MLS, education benefits, advocacy work, professionalism piece 05:05 – Conglomeration of local associations with oversight and the voice of the state realtors and National Realtors Association (NAR) 05:45 – Code of Ethics is broken into 3 parts: duties to public, duties to customers and clients, and duties realtor-to-realtor 05:55 – The public or a realtor can (and should!) file a complaint when a breach has been made 06:10 – Not all realtors are created equal, and filing complaints allows the bad seeds to be weeded out so they don't continue to hurt others 06:28 – What kinds of complaints come in? 06:35 – Article 12: Whether a realtor has displayed a true and accurate picture in advertising 06:48 – Instagram or over-Photoshopped photos that look nothing like the true home 07:05 – Some Photoshop is okay (lifting shadows, blurring dead grass spot in yard) 07:14 – Example of inaccurate photos: removing power lines from back yard 07:45 – Why is it bad to over-Photoshop? 07:54 – Being caught off-guard and surprised; many people nowadays are purchasing their home online 08:10 – They may not even see the house until they've already closed and are moving in 08:30 – Realtors and the public want realtors to raise the bar of professionalism 08:39 – Turn in the people violating the Code of Ethics to help raise the bar 08:47 – Code of Ethics also warns against slander, how does this affect turning people in? 09:02 – You are doing worse if you slander online via social media 09:20 – Do something about it but don't slander, turn them in if they are in violation 09:40 – What kind of realtor-to-realtor misconduct do you see? 09:44 – Article 2: Exaggeration, misrepresentation, and concealment of pertinent facts 09:59 – Revealing facts or confidential information; Agents give away the client's negotiation position via text message trying to get a deal and the other agent turns them in 10:40 – How would you ever know if your realtor is doing this? There is no way to know 10:51 – Keep educating members to remain upright and forthright in everything they do; you never know who you are dealing with 11:20 – Jessica was a consumer recently: What questions did she ask to select a realtor? 11:49 – She chose someone in leadership in the city where she was buying 12:09 – Ask questions before agreeing to work with someone 12:19 – How many houses have you sold? How experienced are you? How many deals do you have going on right now? 12:45 – She went for someone in a volunteer leadership role, she thinks the public should, too 13:38 – Leader will have a vested interest in the realtor organization in general, are committed to Code of Ethics, giving back to association, and a higher level of professionalism 13:56 – People that are not volunteers can be professional, too, volunteers are just more likely to uphold standards 14:14 – Great realtors should consider volunteering to be heard; 1 in 287 Americans is a realtor, stand out as one less likely to cause trouble 15:18 – Realtors can be on top of their game with a desire to serve, get educated, and do a better job 15:53 – If a midline realtor want to get better, more active, and more educated about entire picture 16:20 – Find inspiration (mentor, group, giving back) 16:59 – She finds her inspiration through her support system at home 17:24 – If you aren't at the top of your game, there are resources to get better and stop selling consumers short 18:13 – Oklahoma realtors can email Jessica directly at: [email protected] 18:29 – Follow Jessica on social media: Twitter & Facebook 18:30 – Reach out to your state association leadership to get involved and heard 3 Key Points Become familiar with the Code of Ethics whether you are a realtor or client. File a complaint if you see a breach of the code; this is how the bar of professionalism in the industry can be raised. As a client, ask questions to ensure your realtor is a good fit and as a realtor, step up your game, get involved, and strive to be better.