Integrity.

It’s not a word you hear a lot nowadays, and when you do, it’s usually used to sell something. However, integrity is crucial in real estate. Whether you are buying or selling, renting or managing, appraising or inspecting, acting with integrity makes the whole system run.

Most people will agree with this sentiment in theory. But in practice, when there is an opportunity to fudge something ‘just a little bit,’ the majority will take it.  We see this in a thousand small ways. The landlord who ‘forgets’ to mention that the shower will only stay hot for ten minutes. The renter who breaks an appliance, but stays silent, so they can get their full security deposit back. The home seller who doesn’t fix the electrical system, but installs three-prong outlets to make it ‘look right.’ The home buyer who adds a few months to their work history in order to secure a better rate on their mortgage. The list goes on and on. Continue reading “Why Integrity is Crucial in Real Estate” →