The Benefit of Using an Attorney-Realtor® - Seven Ways to Get Moving Fast and Safe

All REALTORS® are not created equally, and you want a REALTOR® working for you who has the acumen, skill and knowledge to ensure you get moving fast and safe. By having an attorney on your side in the real estate process, you will get my legal expertise during the entire process. In chapter 9, I will go into my childhood and how I got to where I am today; chapter 8 will fill you in on my lawyer days. After reading this book, you will have a clear understanding of why you should have an Attorney- REALTOR® on your side.

An attorney has a certain set of skills that most people do not have. I have been trained to think a certain way, act a certain way, and be highly perceptive. Not everyone has this type of education, and law school is not for everyone. I worked in the law firm environment for 15 years, and I learned things that most do not know. There are countless benefits to using me as your REALTOR®. I am a licensed and trained attorney and I will also serve as your realtor. In this book, we will explore the following reasons why I am the best realtor for you:

• I have a strong work ethic

• I am a highly effective communicator

• I am the master of contracts

• I am an internationally trained negotiator

• Everyone matters to me and I have a strong desire to help others

• I am well organized and have the ability to multi-task like no other

• I have better interpersonal skills than any other REALTOR®

• I am client-centered and goal driven

• I have an eye for detail

• I have a strong moral compass and strong ethical judgement

• I am comfortable and work confidently in high pressure situations

• I have first-rate collaboration skills

• I am never afraid to ask

• I genuinely care about my community

• I have an extensive record of success

Some of these things may seem simple to you, but do not be fooled. The average person, and certainly most REALTORS® and real estate agents, do not possess these qualities, skills or talents. Let's start with the basics. What is the difference between a real estate agent and a REALTOR®? I am a REALTOR®. This means I am a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS®, and I am required to uphold the standards of that association as well as subscribe to a strict code of ethics. A real estate agent is anyone who takes and passes the real estate test. There are no standards for real estate agents. There are few requirements for taking the real estate test. In fact there are only six requirements in Georgia:

1. Be at least 18 years old.

2. Be a resident of the State of Georgia, unless seeking a nonresident license.

3. Pass a state real estate examination.

4. Be a high school graduate or holder of a certification of equivalency.

5. Obtain a criminal history report from the GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation).

6. Complete a 75 hour salesperson pre-license course, attending all the sessions.

There is no limit to the number of times a person can take the real estate test, and only 61% of people pass on their first time taking the test. There is no formal class required to take the test. You can do a self-study, in home, or on-line class before taking the test. Obviously, things are learned in the class or self-study, but the majority of agents are far from experts on contracts or any other aspects in the real estate field. I have had many people tell me they took the test multiple times before passing. Frankly, the test was not that difficult, and if a person had to take the test four times before passing, and had that much trouble passing the test, you probably do not want them negotiating one of the biggest purchases you will ever make in your life.

The next question is, probably: What are the standards of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS®? Good question. There is a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® that set duties we have to our clients and customers, to the public, and to other REALTORS®. The preamble states that REALTORS® “continuously strive to become and remain informed on issues affecting real estate.” Other important aspects include punishment for “misappropriation of client or customer funds or property, willful discrimination, or fraud resulting in substantial economic harm.” You want someone who agrees to NOT steal your money. Why would you use someone who does not make that promise? You want someone like myself to be handling your funds so that you know you are SAFE and your money is SAFE. I am someone you can trust. Not only am I a REALTOR®, but I am also a licensed attorney who has sworn to uphold the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct. This binds me to a strict code of ethics that I bring with me into my Real Estate career.

Article 1, of The Code of Ethics and Standards, goes into my duties as a REALTOR®, to you, my client. We are obligated to treat all parties honestly in a transaction. We are not allowed to mislead or induce the buyers, sellers, or tenants. REALTORS® are also bound to keep clients information confidential, and not use the information to the disadvantage of the client, or to the advantage of third parties, unless they consent to it. As a REALTOR®, I also have duties to the public, including giving equal representation to all people regardless of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Along those same lines, when involved in the sale or lease of a residence, REALTORS® shall not volunteer information regarding the racial, religious, or ethnic composition of any neighborhood. When NOT involved in the sale or lease of a residence, REALTORS® may provide demographic information related to a property if the information is (a) deemed by the REALTOR® to be necessary in order to assist with, or complete a real estate transaction or professional assignment, and (b) is obtained or derived from a recognized, reliable, independent, and impartial source. Honesty is of the utmost importance to me when representing you as your REALTOR®.

Finally, we owe a duty to other REALTORS® to not knowingly or recklessly make false or misleading statements about other real estate professionals, their businesses, or their business practices. This is where REALTORS® duties end. But a mere real estate agent is not bound by any standards or code of ethics which will be detrimental to you, regardless of what side of the transaction you are on, be it buyer or seller.

In this book, The Benefits of Using an Attorney Realtor, you will be let in on the many reasons why I am the best available resource for anyone looking to list a home for sale or buy a home, or are an investor looking to buy many properties. There are no other REALTORS® that can offer the same skills and experience that will provide the sense of security that I offer my clients. As you read my book, I will refer back to my legal career and the lessons I learned in the 15 years I worked in a law firm environment. I will not shy away from my background and the lessons I learned in the courtroom and my law practice. I am very transparent on why things are important – my legal career and how it translates into my real estate career, and why this is invaluable to you as my real estate client.

My work ethic cannot be matched by anyone in the legal field or real estate field. You either have a strong work ethic or you don’t. Once a person reaches a certain age, they either have a strong work ethic or they do not; it is not something you can teach. I began working from a young age and I have never stopped working. Growing up, we lived very frugally and had a very tight purse. We had to be creative about ways to earn money. Without a doubt, this instilled in me a work ethic like no other. I always give 110% at every job I ever work at. As your REALTOR®, you will get my 110%. My Type A personality likely plays a role in my strong work ethic.

My strong work ethic can be a double edged sword, leading to working long hours and wanting perfection. In my legal career, I worked more hours than any other attorney in the office. I would get to the office before anyone else and would leave after everyone else. This is partly what made me such a successful attorney. My work ethic made me always want to get things completed. A strong work ethic is not something that can be turned on and off at will. As a person who came from meager beginnings, I learned from a young age the importance and value of money, which helped instill a strong work ethic. Moreover, I think by seeing that hard work pays off, it pushed me to keep working hard. Seeing results from my hard work helped me keep moving forward. My strong work ethic has helped me find success in all aspects of my life because I will never give up. I strive for success and have a client-centered attitude. I want to help others, and the service of others feeds my soul.

As your REALTOR®, I have an interest...