Do Not Call List & Appraisers

[Bobby Bucks]

Most of us are probably aware of the new national do not call registry. I for one immediately
signed up to fend off the telemarketers. One group who is going to be affected is RE
agents/Realtors. They have been fighting that new law with a passion. If you’re a Realtor and
appraiser you’re probably aware of how upset they were. I got tired of getting calls from the
board urging me send them money to fight the new law. It was like getting spam asking for a
donation so I can receive more spam. I made an enemy for life at my local board by requesting to
be put on their own “do not call” list due to repeated calls about the registry.
One potential problem I see for us with the new law is when we get assignments from some of the
mentally challenged mortgage brokers and AMCs. I’m sure many of you have received orders,
called the borrower and were asked why you were even calling them. Often times LOs jump the
gun and order the appraisal ahead of time or order a “wishful thinking” order. Sometimes the
homeowners are upset and rightly so. The megga bank with the snake acronym used to be the
worst about this. I remember calling borrowers and being told they don’t need an appraisal, the
bank was using their tax value and then getting harassing calls from the AMC about no
appointment being set up. What happens if an appraiser gets complaints from homeowners related
to the do not call law?
There is a bright side to the new law and I just did a trial run. I had an obnoxious real-a-tore call
me out of the blue complaining about a report I did on a sale 2 weeks ago. I normally counter
punch these bozos but this time I calmly read a few paragraphs from the new “do not call” law
and told him that as a real estate agent he might get sued by me for an unsolicited call............talk
about back peddling and getting some manners he apologized and hung up...... I later got a polite
but long winded message from his broker in charge stating that he didn’t think the registry would
apply in cases such as this. Even so, I like the idea. As always I’m doing my small part to win the
skirmishes and have fun at appraising.

 

[Richard Carlsen]

Whoa Bobby.....You've been out in the high country sun too long. Get to some shade and grab a cool one quickly.

First off, I think there are some exceptions for real state people. Not sure what it is but it has to do with follow up calls etc. Does not apply to us.

Second, the do-not-call list is for solicitation, as in "Hello big boy. Want to play house?" That type of thing but usually with credit cards and vacation places etc.

If someone is calling you on a specific piece of business, the Do-not-call rule does not apply. Sure you could cause them some grief by reporting them but chances are, that is not what you want.

If such rules did apply carte blanch. then I and I think you would not be able to call anybody for an appointment since I am a Realtor and in addition, hold a valid brokers license.

Intent is the operative word. A call out of the blue for solicitation or a call to a specific person for a specific reason?

So Bobby, now that you are calmed down, sitting on the north side of the bunk house with a tall sarsaparilla in your hand, watching that young colt frolic in the pasture, isn't life a little better?

p.s. I too hate those LO's who don't tell the people that I will be calling for an appointment. I hate the ones even more who don't tell the people that I will be collecting my fee at the door. Judy says the .40 S&W is not big enough to take care of them properly.

 

[Steve Owen]

Here's how I think the "do not call" list will relate to the appraisal business:

Right when I'm reaching some degree of synergy on a complicated problem, I won't have some bozo calling me for the fifth time this week asking if I want to switch phone companies.

I signed up almost immediately. It's all good, Bobby.

 

[Mountain Man]

We've had the "Do Not Call List" in GA for 6+ years. I love it!!! It has ceased all solicitor calls. And if any errand solicitor calls, I nicely remind them I am on the list....... the buzz of an empty line comes quicker than lighting.

The Realtors fought this law too, but lost BIGGGG time. The politicians new the public loved the idea, and the Realtors didn't have enough money to get them re-elected if they didn't vote for it. B)

 

[Caterina Platt]

The way the 'do not call' list would apply to Realtors is to skim for sellers and buyers via phone solicitation. They grab the Cole directory for a nieghborhood (sellers) or perhaps apartment complex (buyers) they want to farm and go to town.

Their heartburn has nothing to do with current deals and ongoing business.

Realtors have many other tools to utilize: mass mailings, knocking on doors and shaking hands, their signs in the yards. Telemarketing is typically only done by true newbies without a client base.

Think of all these phone calls you've gotten over the years. Has any business that pestered us via unsolicited calls really had an honest and good product to offer? Very doubtful it's more than a handful. The vast majority were those who's product or service was not substantial enough to withstand the consumer's scrutiny under any other circumstances but being put on the spot and pestered into momentary submission. When any thinking person has the time to really look at the cost, why in the world would you pay .75 on the dollar for credit insurance? Or $179 for a 6 year supply of septic tank yeast?

Good riddance I say. Hopefully the result will be the death of some crooked schemes that couldn't have grown legs without the telemarketing monster. But, wait a minute......spam is still rampant. Oh man! I feel an even worse spam onslaught soon. Don't you know, that's where they'll resort.

 

[Mountain Man]

Oh man! I feel an even worse spam onslaught soon. Don't you know, that's where they'll resort.

Either that or you will see more "paid advertising" talk shows on certain channels in your cable/satelite package. I don't know how anyone can talk about a orange flavored cleaner for a half hour. :mellow: