Truth in Advertising
March 28, 2006 As many of you know, I keep very close track of the real estate market in Cheverly, so I?ll use Cheverly as my example. However, the following happens all over the place.
When I search our listing service, I have go through the results and back out the properties that say they are in Cheverly, but really aren?t. This isn?t uncommon ? many sellers and agents figure that they?ll use a popular neighborhood name to attract buyers to the property. These sellers know that if they can make the buyer think that the house is in a desirable neighborhood, they?ll get more showings.
Besides being annoying, it does a disservice to buyers. In some cases, it could lead to lawsuits. First, the buyer often feels manipulated, which doesn?t usually lead to good offers.
Also, in Cheverly?s case, the town is a municipality with tax and service benefits that are not available to properties that are not within the municipality. So by advertising that a house is in Cheverly when it?s actually in Tuxedo or Landover Hills or Bladensburg, the seller is implying that the property is subject to those same benefits when, in truth, it isn?t.
Buyers have been known to sue for misleading information like that.
And it just goes to show that honesty is by far the safest policy.
(C) 2006 Susan Pruden.
A lifetime Maryland resident, Susan Pruden has the ideal foundation for selling and buying homes. After 8 years working in just about every facet of the mortgage industry, and several years with her own company specializing in marketing for real estate agents, Susan got her real estate license in 1994. Susan has earned several industry awards. The CENTURY 21 Quality Service Pinnacle Award is based on reviews from Susan's clients and is earned by a very small percentage of agents. She has earned that coveted recognition since 2012
Two others were awarded by the Prince George's Association of REALTORS®. The Distinguished Sales Associate of the Year Award is based on a mixture of community involvement, association involvement and real estate education and designations. The other, the Distinguished Service Award, is for "exceptional meritorious service."
Susan is involved in her local community. She was named Cheverly Volunteer of the Year in 2018, even having June 25th designated "Susan Pruden Day" in the Town of Cheverly. She is also a Commissioner on the Prince George's County Historic Preservation Commission and President of the Cheverly American Legion Auxiliary.
Susan Pruden has lived in Cheverly lived with her husband, Joseph, for almost 30 years.
