You cannot offer a second opinion if another REALTOR®’s clients ask you about their broker’s general real estate practices.
Fiction. Although the Code of Ethics does not preclude you from offering an opinion about another real estate professional’s business practices, if you choose to offer an opinion, you must observe strict standards of professional integrity and provide objective, reliable information. It is a violation of Article 15 of the Code of Ethics to knowingly or recklessly make false or misleading statements about other real estate professionals, their businesses, or their business practices. Keep in mind that making derogatory comments about others’ real estate practices can also diminish the public’s appreciation of REALTORS®.
If someone who is working with another Realtor or someone who is under contract with another Realtor asks you opinion regarding an issue, I feel that the first appropriate response is: Have you discussed the issue with your Realtor? If not, I do suggest that they do so. On the other hand, if they have discussed the issue with their Realtor and still would like my opinion, I will tell them my operating procedure related to the issue. I would never nor do I think any Realtor should ever respond with “anything derogatory about the other Realtor”————One must always believe… Read more »
Id say if you give a second opinion for “Free”, you are looking for Free Trouble. Id recommend him to talk to his Realtor and his Broker and a Real Estate Attorney. If your second opinion might get you some future business and working relationship with this client, then yes, go all pro on your second opinion and make a clean cut presentaiton.
You know the old saying about opinions., everyone has one agents have several. You are only hearing one side of the story. There is one side, the other side, and the truch seems to be in the middle somewhere. We should simply stay in our lane and not give any advice on others dealings.
This is always a grey area as Cheryl mentioned you are only hearing one side of the story in most cases. If there is a valid listing or buyer agreement in place refer back to the agent or broker and up the hierarchy as necessary. Commenting on partial information, hearsay or even facts you may know from experience is potential trouble as, one might be held liable for defamation in how your facts are presented or distorted by another party or individual.
If there is nothing good to say, say nothing.