Answers (20)
Best Answer
- Rachel Rosen, "RachelRosen"
- Contributions:1734
Simply responding to a question in the Zillow Advice forum is not advertising nor is it self-promotion. In fact, using the Zillow Advice forum to advertise is strictly prohibited in the Zillow Good Neighbor Policy, located at http://www.zillow.com/howto/GoodNeighborPolicy.htm: "Please don't post inappropriate stuff: Spam, advertising, or self-promotional content is not allowed in Zillow Advice. This includes, but is not limited to, any contact information such as phone numbers, email addresses, or website URLs." As part of this policy, Zillow prohibits those posting in Zillow Advice from including any contact information in their posts.
If you feel that something you posted in Zillow Advice could be considered advertising, self promotional, or holding yourself out as being able to provide real estate services, it shouldn't be there. Agents should not be holding themselves out as being able to provide services on Zillow Advice. If a consumer wishes to contact you based on a comment you leave in Zillow Advice, they will click the link to your profile where all of the required information is provided. Until then, you are simply providing your two cents to Zillow's community.
In other words, whenever a REALTOR® does anything in writing, they must put their name, office name and all office phone numbers
- Connie Klemme
- Contributions:3347
but...that seems absurd.
- Debra (Debbie) Rose, "Livingston NJ"
- Contributions:3266
That's why my name shows as Debra (Debbie) Rose......Debra is on my license, so, I must use it even though I am always known as Debbie.
It has been my understanding that as long as anything I do or say online is linked to that information, I am abiding by the law.
Since all my responses here, and on any other site do link to a profile page containing the necessary information, I am in compliance.
- Dunes....
- Contributions:3876
I like it...
- hpvanc
- Contributions:3078
- sunnyview
- Contributions:26838
If Trulia, decided not to read the NAR bylaws and bend to demands, that's their choice. If there is a specific rule for agents in PA I'd like to see the link to the specific section of those regulations.
- hpvanc
- Contributions:3078
There is only a problem if it is the former. If it is the latter, the association board needs to make a decision, since Zillow is a private entity much like the association, that gets to make its own rules and Zillow has already taken a stand on a nationwide basis.
- Dunes....
- Contributions:3876
"Renee,
We had this same question come up about Kansas. The rule applies to advertising. eg. real estate agents promoting their services and/or seeking customers.
Since this sort of content is not allowed in Zillow Advice, there should be no issue.
Simple answering questions shouldn't be advertising. We will confirm, but I'm pretty sure the outcome will be the same."
Rachel
- Reallyfedup
- Contributions:810
- Dunes....
- Contributions:3876
Sorry Sunnyview..I wasn't as quick as you lol
Realtors can go here for more Details..NAR
- sunnyview
- Contributions:26838
I have done a little research. I do not think that including agent information in posts is required under the PA Real Estate Commission, the PA Association of Realtors or under the NAR's newly updated Standard of Ethics section 12.5.
In fact the Rules section 12.5 was recently updated in January 2011 to make more allowances for the use of websites and social media sites here. Since every post on Zillow from an agent links to the profile page containing all that required information, agents should have no issues leaving their personal, license and contact info on their profile page as currently required by Zillow's policy.
- hpvanc
- Contributions:3078
- Dunes....
- Contributions:3876
"I would hate to see any professional on the wrong side of their Board."
I agree but IMO the Agents issue or gripe would be with their Board not Zillow....If it's an Honest issue then post where your Board allows
- Joan Braunschweiger, "Morris County NJ"
- Contributions:1589
My issue with this is that Renee is being disingenuous in using this as an excuse to provide contact information, especially her direct contact number which is certainly not a requirement anywhere.
When you see that all other agents are abiding by Zillow's guidelines and try to use PAR guidelines as an excuse to break the forum's rules, it reflects poorly on that agent.
As I stated before, if any of the Realtor® Associations have any issue with the lack of contact information directly implanted in each post, I would think they would take it up with Zillow and since you know that people from the various associations cruise the boards, it would have been dealt with a long time ago if it was really considered a problem.
- Reallyfedup
- Contributions:810
There may be new regulations regarding internet postings, but I would think that the little picture, up in the left hand corner, that when clicked on provides all the info. would be suffice.
I was told by that other site that this is the reason they are now allowing it in their signoffs. Sorry, I still don't buy it.
- Michael Emery, "MikeEmery"
- Contributions:8062
I think we need a clarification from Zillow on the issue.
- Joan Braunschweiger, "Morris County NJ"
- Contributions:1589
I've always thought that it was on any form of advertisement and regarding posting on a public forum, as Pas says a person's profile with office name and number are one click away.
Regardless, not one person has ever had an issue with with this before as far as being fined plus she included her direct contact information as well. Since Zillow enforces the policy, the PAR, NJAR and all other ARs would have to take it up with Zillow.
Simply self-serving excuses.
This is just Renee being Renee.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:25956
BUT they are required to have their license number on their profile, and many don't so, many are breaking the law.
Are RE Agents from PA required by Law to post Contact info/website info on all posts??
Dunes, in the State of PA all REALTORS® are required to put their office information in any type of response on the internet. In other words, whenever a REALTOR® does anything in writing, they must put their name, office name and all office phone numbers. That is not spam. If we do not put all information, we will be fined. That's the law.
Renee Porsia Associate Broker
Link
So are PA Agents allowed to post what Zillow Policy says is Spam..because there is a PA Law that says they are required to post the "Info"
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