Can a past business relationship justify bending state laws? Join Laura and me, Jim, as we tackle this provocative question head-on in our latest Standing Out in Ohio podcast episode. This week, we unravel a complex and all-too-common scenario in the real estate world—an insistent buyer's agent demanding a confidential report without proper authorization. As we recount our firsthand encounters with agents trying to sidestep protocols, we dive deep into the ethical responsibilities and legalities that govern real estate transactions. This episode sheds light on the growing trend of clients choosing to withhold agent information, highlighting why it's crucial to secure explicit permission before sharing sensitive data.
We also explore the heightened importance of communication, especially when agents, frustrated by ticking contractual clocks, resort to pressure tactics. Hear how we stand firm against threats and uphold state laws to protect client confidentiality, no matter the cost. Through engaging stories and practical advice, we provide listeners with insights into how to navigate these tricky waters with integrity and professionalism. Tune in to discover the necessary steps for mastering the art of client privacy in the real estate industry.
To learn more about Habitation Investigation, the Two-time Winner of the Best Home Inspection Company in the Midwest Plus the Winner of Consumer Choice Award for Columbus Ohio visit Home Inspection Columbus Ohio - Habitation Investigation (homeinspectionsinohio.com)
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Episode Transcript
Welcome to the Standing Out in Ohio podcast,
where we discuss topics,upcoming events, news and
predictions with real estateprofessionals and entrepreneurs.
Listen and learn what makestheir companies and themselves
stand out and gain advantagesover the competition and gain
market share.
Subscribe for the latest newsand discussion on what it takes
(00:23):
to stand out from the crowd.
Now here's your host, jim.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Hello everyone.
This is Laura with the StandingOut in Ohio podcast, and with
me is the delightful Jim Hello.
We're starting this one offthen.
Okay, so we got a call todayfrom an agent who is apparently
the buyer's agent and she wantedthe report reasonable
(00:53):
reasonable and usually I'm notgonna send that out right.
However, we couldn't why shewasn't on the order.
Speaker 4 (01:03):
So when we come back, we'll talk about this and I'll
give the scoop all right, let'slisten to this habitation
investigation is the way to gofor a home inspection in ohio.
Trusted, licensed homeinspectors for your needs.
(01:23):
From radon to mold towarranties For a great home
inspection, you really can't gowrong.
Visit homeinspectionsinohiocom.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Okay, so we get a call today.
Agent's all frustrated becausethis is the last day of the
contract period and she needs toget this report or she can't do
her request to remedy.
So Amy pulls it up and she'slike I can't send it to you.
I'm sorry You're not on theorder.
Fair assessment.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
That's a confidential thing, right?
Speaker 2 (02:03):
You can't just send the reports out, so Amy calls me
because the buyer's agent wasgetting kind of cranky.
So I'm like no, you're right,we can't send this.
This is a confidentiality thing.
We do not have permission tosend this.
And apparently the agent waslike I gave all my information.
(02:25):
He put it there when he was onthe thing.
Well, I pulled up history.
I didn't see any informationwhere the agent had gotten in at
all.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
Okay, so it was never even attempted, so I don't
think it was ever even attempted.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
So Amy confirms with me, goes back to this agent who,
instead of being nice and goingyeah, I understand, just
automatically starts threateningwith I've sent you so much
business over the last few years.
I really hope you do right byme and you send me this report
as soon as possible.
And you know, blah, blah, blahand so on and so forth, chick,
(03:00):
you haven't sent us anythingsince 22.
You're not that good,apparently, no, and not only
that, but why do you just jumpto threatening?
This is a state law.
I can't change it.
I can't just all of a sudden go.
You know what?
I'm sorry, ms Agent, I don'treally know if you're working
with this client or not, buthere let me give you the report
(03:23):
against what state law says.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
And we've had agents call us pretending wanting to
get a link to a report andthey're like, oh, okay, and then
we contact these clients.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
No, I walked from that house.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
and the agent said oh yeah, I'm their new agent and
the person we didn't expect, forit is like no, they're not new
agent and the person we did aSkype for is like no, I walked,
they're not my agent.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
So agents outright lied to us trying to get reports
.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
So contact the client .
I say point blank do we haveyour permission to send the
report to the agent?
Speaker 3 (04:02):
So this is the current situation.
This is the current situation.
Did you text him?
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Yeah, I texted the client and the office together,
so Amy would know if this agentcalled back.
She doesn't know what's goingon.
Okay, this client said thankyou, I've taken care of it.
We did not get permission tosend that report to that agent.
My assumption is that theclient did, but I have no clue
(04:28):
he still never, he never theynever gave us permission to to
get that report.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
We cannot get that report out and we have had it's
happened several times a yearwhere a client will tell us hey,
I do not want you to send thisto my agent.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
And it's happening more Like I'm seeing it a lot
more where people aren't puttingagents into the orders, or if I
ask about it, they're likedon't worry about it, I'll take
care of it, I'll send it whenI'm done.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Or you know things like that we are.
We are specifically being toldnot to send the reports out.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
And they're the client, and they're the client,
and that's what.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
that is what the home inspector licensing law states,
that everybody pushed for.
We are bound by this.
We cannot send anything outwithout express permission and
if you don't give it to me I'mnot sending it now if she is
legitimately that client's agentand I have no reason to doubt
(05:29):
she isn't we still needpermission no matter what
permission why is she waiting tothe last minute?
Speaker 3 (05:35):
that's a day to go.
Hey, I to report.
It was done days ago.
Yeah, so my.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Why wouldn't you text your clients and ask your
client for that report, which isanother question?
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Yes, If I was an agent, I did not get the report.
I would contact my client andgo hey Did you get this.
Did you get the report?
Have you looked over it and, ifyou want, forward it to me and
I'll look over with you as wellI can help you work on the
request to remedy.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
What do you want off of it?
You know anything like that,but I I don't know.
That's not what happened hereand I don't know why this agent
didn't contact this client overthe weekend asking that.
I don't know why she I mean,everybody knows I'm pretty much
accessible all weekend, oh yeah.
You know I don't know, or sendan email and go hey, I never got
(06:27):
this.
You know I never got thisreport.
Can you follow up on this forme?
Like anything, I got nothingthis weekend because I went and
looked back in case I missedsomething, because I went and
looked back in case I missedsomething.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
So once again it's a communication issue or somebody
not knowing that we really can'tdo that.
They don't know the homeinspector, the rules regarding
that Right.
It's similar to some of theagents thinking, well, once
inspection is done, we own thatreport.
I'm like no you do not.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
No, you don't.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
It's a client.
The use of it belongs to theclient who paid for it, Right?
Who's buying the house?
That's what it belongs to.
Everything else is like nope.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
No.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
Nope.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
So just an interesting FYI Make sure that
you know, if there's a glitchlike that, that you contact your
client or that your clientknows that they need to send it
to you.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Yep, all right.
Anything else on that one?
No, I think that's it All right.
Thank you everybody.
Bye, bye-bye.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
You've been listening to the Standing Out in Ohio
podcast.
Be sure to subscribe on Spotifyor Google Podcasts to get new,
fresh episodes.
For more, please follow us onInstagram, twitter and Facebook,
or visit the website of thebest Ohio home inspection
company athomeinspectionsinohiocom or
jimtroffcom.
(07:49):
That's J-I-M-T-R-O-T-H andclick on podcast.
Until next time.
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