Dear Mr/Ms/Mrs Internet Buyer and/or Seller:

I love receiving your inquiries via email.  I pride myself on providing a lot of information on my website and my blogsite and it makes me quite happy to hear from you as you educate yourself on buying or selling a home in Charlotte NC or the metro area!

However, I have to tell all of you (and just like everything else in life, everyone seems to get chastised for the misbehavior of just one person!).  I'm NOT going to break the Code of Ethics or the rules and laws of the North Carolina Real Estate Commission for you. 

In your eyes, it's just a question.  But you told me that you already have an agent, and you already have a contract on a property...and that means that if I were to entertain your question or answer it, I would be violating all kinds of rules, laws, and ethics.  If I answer your questions, then there are many folks who would deem me to be interfering with your agent relationship.

You responded that all you wanted was 'a simple Yes or No about the value of xxx property.'  But I can't answer that question.  If you want my advice, I have to be the one agent you've hired. 

Getting snippy with me that I'm not answering isn't going to get me to answer your questions any faster.  I am NOT going to break the rules for you or for anyone else!!!  Put my license on the line for someone I've never met and who didn't retain my services in the first place?  Hell no.

If you have not yet contracted with an agent, I'm delighted to help.  I'll share with you as much information as I have to help you make an informed decision.  I don't push people and I don't 'sell' anything-I consult as to specific real estate needs whether you're an investor, buyer, or seller.  Hoarding of information is something that I think of as a fossilized approach to real estate.

But it's not 'hoarding information' to refuse to answer a question that you ought not to be asking in the first place.  Consult the agent you hired or fire them and THEN ask me.  Until then, respect my desire to be honorable.

Thanks again for visiting me online, I hope you like what you learn and I'm always ready to help!  I'm way too busy to pester you but never too busy to provide top flight professional service when you need it.

Best-

Leigh Brown