The word "trust" is the second most overused word in real estate. "Honesty" - is the first one. These words are bantered around the Internet so much, people probably do not pay much attention to them. Nevertheless, misusing them in a real estate blog could lead to problems. Misusing them on a 
multiple blogger platform could lead to even more problems.
The goal of most real estate bloggers is business - i.e. demonstrating their expertise and personality to the blog readers, i.e home buyers and sellers. The idea is that these readers will be so impressed, they would want to hire the blogger as their real estate agent, mortgage broke, stager, etc.
The second goal of many bloggers, especially on Active Rain, is to get referrals from from their fellow members, again based on their blog.
So, what is the problem with using the "trust" and "honesty" words? The problem is not delivering on the promise. Let's say a real estate agent says on her blog "I sell all my listings for top $". The home seller, who hires her based on such a claim would be very unhappy, if he didn't get the promised top dollar.
Suppose, a mortgage broker says "I am never late with closing". If he is late, the consumer would be very unhappy, especially if the timing was an important issue to them (which is usually the case with mortgages).
The worst broken promise is of honesty. Misstating the facts, reneging on commitments, claiming that the other party misunderstood -are just a few ways to undermine honesty and ruin ones credibility.
Doing it from the pulpit of an individual blog is bad and inexcusable, because it undermines other bloggers in the industry. Doing it from the platform of Active Rain is in some ways even worse, because it undermines consumers' and other members trust in the other 60+ thousand bloggers.
When a member gives business to another, there is an explicit trust built in through the membership. Violating this trust could negate the efforts of many.
The points in this post are self evident to most, but not to all. Not all business opportunities that develop on Active Rain should be pursued. Here is one easy test - what post would the member, who referred the business to you, write at the end of the transaction? What post would a consumer write at the end of the transaction? Take the business, only if the answer is "glowing", "spectacular", "more then promised". You get the point.
P.S. Note to self: Grow up. Just because somebody says something on a blog (even on Active Rain), doesn't make it so.
P.P.S. Another note: I don't like the previous note -I have too many great friends. Having resolved this existential issue, I can get back to writing truthfully about Princeton real estate.
Please comment on which note you think makes more sense or what you think about truth on a real estate blog.
Photo by Katie Tegtmeyer
Faina, I'd have said both things to myself as well.
I will say it is EXTREMELY UNWISE to promote yourself in an untrue way on this network. Each and every person here has a blog and knows how to use it. Be honest and try your best, and if you mess up, say so and apologize.
As a very wise Chickie says, put on your Big Girl Panties and deal with it. (Or maybe Big Boy Boxers for you guys??? <Shouldn't have gone there, I realize.) Faina, you got mistreated and it was WRONG. A second wrong happened when the person couldn't come clean and just say they messed up. I'm sorry it happened, and I hope others can learn from both sides of it: Be careful who you trust, and if you screw up, say you're sorry and try to fix it.
Good morning Sarah,
A fine post to be sure! Actions speak louder then words! I live my life, personal and professional forthright.
Those that we deal with are the best sources of advertising. Be honest with yourself and those you come in contact with and you won't have to tell anyone that you are Honest, Dependable, Fair, etc. Your following will do it for you.
OK - I don't profess to know it all or make it happen without error. I'd never try to promote myself as being able to deliver products or services that I really can't. My profile here says... I'm a REALTOR® that you can trust & count on. Do I need to change that?
A bad experience is a lesson learned. Don't give up on people .
Gita -thanks, friend.
Harold - i am not sure if you were answering me (Faina) or Sarah, but I think we see it very similar. Your idea of not talking about honesty, but just doing it seems like a great one to me.
Honesty and trustworthy is a given.
I just want them to answer their phone.
Faina, Yes, the honesty should be in all of our lives and we shouldn't have to yell about it. Our relationships will be built on this and the trust comes with it. Sorry something happened to break that trust.
Nancy - I can't tell anyone what to say or what to write. Unfortunately, even the Realtor designation, could mean different things to different people - depends on their personal experiences. Thanks for your comment.
Lenn - "Honesty and trustworthy is a given" -that's what I thought, until I was proven wrong. Oh, answering the phone -could that be too much to ask?:)
Jason - I am human, I do get upset. I promised myself at the start of my AR tenure not to "do negativity" -there was enough of it then without my contribution:) I sort of broke my word -unless I look at this post in a positive way, which I do. Plus, I am not really so good at euphemistic writing:)
All of this is small compared to what you had to deal with this weak. Thanks for being here.
Gary - you are right. You probably wouldn't know until you work with someone. Even then, there may be exceptions. Thanks for your comment.
Jeff -thanks for your comment. I used to post every day, but haven't been writing as much lately for various reasons: there were some difficult transactions I was dealing with also.
I am not sure how to look at trust in different ways. IMO it's kind of binary -you either trust someone or you don't. A friend of mine says she has a "sixth sense" for it. I don't- I just go from experience.
In my comment to Steve I said: "People could also make mistakes -we are not robots (though they must break once in a while too). When professionals make mistakes, they make sure it doesn't cost their customer."
The only other thing I can add is that when mistakes happen -one stands tall, admits them, explains them (if the customer wants to know, some may not care), doesn't shift blame and makes the customer whole. Customers usually don't care about our hardships, they want what's best for them.
Just an example. An agent I know had a listing contract with a repeat customer. The second contract was for more % then the first. At some point after they signed the listing agreement, they said- we want to pay less %(like the first time). The agent had the signed contract for more %, yet she gave the customer what they were asking for out of her commission. She now has a third listing contract with them and glowing references.
I learned that in financial industry they make customers whole to the tune of millions. That's how they value trust.
Faina- We have found that the people in life who are always talking about honesty and trustworthiness are the very ones screwing others and can not be trusted. It is as though they are wishing they could be that way but are not performing in a manner to develop trust. I have learned to run away from people who are all talk about being honest and trusting.
It shows in your actions and not your words so there is no need for me to bring it up. I don't have to prove my trustworthiness or my honesty by touting it all over the place.