Comments on: Real Estate Brokers can Stop Learning After 15 Years http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/01/30/real-estate-brokers-can-stop-learning-after-15-years/ Tracking Charlottesville's Real Estate Market since 2005 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:15:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: The Virginia General Assembly is Upon Us | RealCentralVA.com http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/01/30/real-estate-brokers-can-stop-learning-after-15-years/comment-page-1/#comment-29267 The Virginia General Assembly is Upon Us | RealCentralVA.com Mon, 11 Jan 2010 06:44:42 +0000 http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/01/30/real-estate-brokers-can-stop-learning-after-15-years/#comment-29267 [...] if our legislators try to put forth dumba*s legislation this year, like they did last year – Real Estate Brokers Can stop Learning after 15 years. – The bill thankfully failed as it was left in [...] [...] if our legislators try to put forth dumba*s legislation this year, like they did last year – Real Estate Brokers Can stop Learning after 15 years. – The bill thankfully failed as it was left in [...]

]]> By: Jim Duncan http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/01/30/real-estate-brokers-can-stop-learning-after-15-years/comment-page-1/#comment-25395 Jim Duncan Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:59:09 +0000 http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/01/30/real-estate-brokers-can-stop-learning-after-15-years/#comment-25395 Anon - You're absolutely right. It seems that with a lot of things in the real estate profession, lawsuits may be the only recourse to right some wrongs. Darn it. Ben - It's simply astonishing to me that this bill passed unanimously. I can't figure that out ... Anon –

You’re absolutely right. It seems that with a lot of things in the real estate profession, lawsuits may be the only recourse to right some wrongs. Darn it.

Ben –

It’s simply astonishing to me that this bill passed unanimously. I can’t figure that out …

]]> By: anonymous http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/01/30/real-estate-brokers-can-stop-learning-after-15-years/comment-page-1/#comment-25355 anonymous Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:18:24 +0000 http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/01/30/real-estate-brokers-can-stop-learning-after-15-years/#comment-25355 This bill does not protect the consumer. It appears to protect brokers who ignored the continuing education requirements over the past 15 years. Are we expecting lawsuits against realtors and/or perhaps an unaccountable regulatory enforcement body? The fact that this got to vote is telling in itself. This bill does not protect the consumer. It appears to protect brokers who ignored the continuing education requirements over the past 15 years. Are we expecting lawsuits against realtors and/or perhaps an unaccountable regulatory enforcement body? The fact that this got to vote is telling in itself.

]]> By: Ben Martin, Va Assn of Realtors http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/01/30/real-estate-brokers-can-stop-learning-after-15-years/comment-page-1/#comment-25346 Ben Martin, Va Assn of Realtors Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:37:39 +0000 http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/01/30/real-estate-brokers-can-stop-learning-after-15-years/#comment-25346 Last year, the same bill passed the Senate but failed to pass the House. Last year, the same bill passed the Senate but failed to pass the House.

]]> By: Rob Hahn http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/01/30/real-estate-brokers-can-stop-learning-after-15-years/comment-page-1/#comment-25331 Rob Hahn Sun, 01 Feb 2009 19:08:57 +0000 http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/01/30/real-estate-brokers-can-stop-learning-after-15-years/#comment-25331 @Paul - The trouble with this is that it isn't market-based change. It's government action to protect a government licensed profession. If it were market-based change, with consumers <i>choosing</i> to pay brokers with 15+ years experience with no continuing ed more than they do brokers with 15+ years experience who take continuing ed, then I think I would support it 100%. What it does, frankly, is prevent the market from naturally eliminating brokers who are out of date, and unable to adapt. Which, of course, appears to be the new mission of government these days... but that's another story. -rsh @Paul -

The trouble with this is that it isn’t market-based change. It’s government action to protect a government licensed profession. If it were market-based change, with consumers choosing to pay brokers with 15+ years experience with no continuing ed more than they do brokers with 15+ years experience who take continuing ed, then I think I would support it 100%.

What it does, frankly, is prevent the market from naturally eliminating brokers who are out of date, and unable to adapt. Which, of course, appears to be the new mission of government these days… but that’s another story.

-rsh

]]> By: Paul Erb http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/01/30/real-estate-brokers-can-stop-learning-after-15-years/comment-page-1/#comment-25304 Paul Erb Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:45:33 +0000 http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/01/30/real-estate-brokers-can-stop-learning-after-15-years/#comment-25304 Whoa, Whoa--and caveat lector here, too, because I am no expert on real estate. I can see why Rob thinks evolution has winners and losers, competition, death, struggle. But that's not it. "Fittest," for Darwin, meant "best adapted," not "strongest." Sure, there might be a few realtors whose education in the school of hard knocks lets them hold on to licensure. I suppose that was the point of giving property-owners privilege in the Constitution: if you can manage a property over time without losing it, you've passed every conceivable test, and you're probably fit to weigh in on important decisions. So from an outsider's perspective, this looks to me like a market-based change to the bill--one that reasons, if you can survive, you must have adapted, and to adapt, you must learned and evolved. That's compared to a certification-based bill, which is by definition a lagging indicator, and would suggest that grades on tests are the best predictors of success in life. Uh, I don't think so. Most grades are the best predictors of success on the next test. The best-educated realtors will survive--thanks to folks like you, Jim, who keep pushing the limits--and will not rely on the law alone to tell them what they need to know. If there are troglodytes who are trying to control the industry and its standards, this downturn will test them and their cave-life, too; and you who are thinking innovatively will feel uncomfortable for a while, as you are in fact changing a status quo "fitness landscape" that they are dreaming of. Bottom line: I think the market will naturally eliminate brokers who try to hoard info, shark off competition, or maintain the outmoded model. Whoa, Whoa–and caveat lector here, too, because I am no expert on real estate.

I can see why Rob thinks evolution has winners and losers, competition, death, struggle. But that’s not it. “Fittest,” for Darwin, meant “best adapted,” not “strongest.” Sure, there might be a few realtors whose education in the school of hard knocks lets them hold on to licensure. I suppose that was the point of giving property-owners privilege in the Constitution: if you can manage a property over time without losing it, you’ve passed every conceivable test, and you’re probably fit to weigh in on important decisions.

So from an outsider’s perspective, this looks to me like a market-based change to the bill–one that reasons, if you can survive, you must have adapted, and to adapt, you must learned and evolved. That’s compared to a certification-based bill, which is by definition a lagging indicator, and would suggest that grades on tests are the best predictors of success in life. Uh, I don’t think so. Most grades are the best predictors of success on the next test.

The best-educated realtors will survive–thanks to folks like you, Jim, who keep pushing the limits–and will not rely on the law alone to tell them what they need to know. If there are troglodytes who are trying to control the industry and its standards, this downturn will test them and their cave-life, too; and you who are thinking innovatively will feel uncomfortable for a while, as you are in fact changing a status quo “fitness landscape” that they are dreaming of.

Bottom line: I think the market will naturally eliminate brokers who try to hoard info, shark off competition, or maintain the outmoded model.

]]> By: Jim Duncan http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/01/30/real-estate-brokers-can-stop-learning-after-15-years/comment-page-1/#comment-25274 Jim Duncan Sun, 01 Feb 2009 14:10:20 +0000 http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/01/30/real-estate-brokers-can-stop-learning-after-15-years/#comment-25274 I would expect the Virginia Association of Realtors to put out a "call to action" for its members to speak out against this tragic, asinine bill. If they don't speak against it, I read this as tacit support. Had this been a close vote in the Senate rather than a 40-0 vote in favor of the bill, I would likely have a different opinion. If this bill passes, it will be a major setback for the public, but more importantly in my opinion, will seek to enhance the public's opinion of Realtors being self-interested and not interested in furthering their profession or education. Keith - I'd love to know, but have not yet done the digging to figure this one out. My assumption is that the proponent is an "old-guard" broker. Anon - I can't say I disagree with you. I would expect the Virginia Association of Realtors to put out a “call to action” for its members to speak out against this tragic, asinine bill. If they don’t speak against it, I read this as tacit support. Had this been a close vote in the Senate rather than a 40-0 vote in favor of the bill, I would likely have a different opinion. If this bill passes, it will be a major setback for the public, but more importantly in my opinion, will seek to enhance the public’s opinion of Realtors being self-interested and not interested in furthering their profession or education.

Keith –

I’d love to know, but have not yet done the digging to figure this one out. My assumption is that the proponent is an “old-guard” broker.

Anon –

I can’t say I disagree with you.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/01/30/real-estate-brokers-can-stop-learning-after-15-years/comment-page-1/#comment-25137 Anonymous Sun, 01 Feb 2009 02:10:16 +0000 http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/01/30/real-estate-brokers-can-stop-learning-after-15-years/#comment-25137 The dumbing down of yet another "marginal" service profession in the US. Since the early '70s the National Association has been pushing education so realtors will be on par with other professions. When will we wake up and smell the roses? A true professional realtor is difficult to find. Jim you may just be the last man standing. The dumbing down of yet another “marginal” service profession in the US. Since the early ’70s the National Association has been pushing education so realtors will be on par with other professions. When will we wake up and smell the roses? A true professional realtor is difficult to find. Jim you may just be the last man standing.

]]> By: Keith http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/01/30/real-estate-brokers-can-stop-learning-after-15-years/comment-page-1/#comment-24804 Keith Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:34:02 +0000 http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/01/30/real-estate-brokers-can-stop-learning-after-15-years/#comment-24804 Jim, If this wasn't supported by VAR, who did push this through? I find it hard to believe that any Senator thought this idea up on his or her own. Is this an effort by an individual Area Association? Keith Jim,
If this wasn’t supported by VAR, who did push this through? I find it hard to believe that any Senator thought this idea up on his or her own. Is this an effort by an individual Area Association?
Keith

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