Should sellers be required to sign off that they have been advised, in fact that they received copies, of all contracts submitted by all agents?   

• How do we know that a seller does not want to be bothered by multiple offers? 
• How do we know that they would prefer to accept a contract which nets them thousands of dollars less, all other conditions being equal, just because it is from the listing agent? 
• Why wouldn't the seller offer a bonus to the listing agent if they really wanted them to receive more compensation instead of accepting a contract written by the listing agent for less money? 
• Is there any way to know that the seller was even made aware that there were additional offers? 
• What is there, other than ethics, that prevents an agent from withholding this information from a seller?
• What guarantees do we have that the listing agent will tell the seller that even if another offer is for less money it may still be a cleaner, better contract and they should seriously think of accepting it?
• What recourse do we have if we are convinced that all offers were not presented to the seller? 

When I worked in Northern Virginia I was always able to sit with the listing agent and the seller and explain the terms of my client's contract.   This is not the way it is done everywhere.

Where I am now many of our sellers are second home owners and away from the area.  Contracts are often e-mailed or faxed to the sellers.  I have never thought that any of my fellow Lake Anna agents were not performing on the up and up.  However, more and more we are having to work with agents ourside our area that have obtained listings many counties away from where they are located.  Hopefully all of them are treating us ethically as well.

When we do not treat other REALTORS and the public with honesty it is a very big problem.  This goes beyond our ability to earn a commission.  It is unfair to our clients and it very much affects the integrity and reputation of our industry.

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If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, please contact Kathleen "Kate " Elim.  She lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.  Reach Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com.  Be sure to check Kate's blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/