ridiculous claims by agents on marketing materials to generate business (Realtors, listings)

[oh come on!]

I just received a postcard in the mail from a local remax agent, and she has stepped up to using fuzzy logic and fuzzy math to try to win business.

In it, she says that if you hire her, "Your home will sell for up to 14.4% more"

She has taken listings in wealthier neighborhoods, so her $$/sqft unit price is higher than the average agent, of course.

That doesn't mean she can sell your home in Podunk for 14% more than other agents can.

If I'm selling $1M 3000sqft homes, and you are selling $500k 3000sqft homes in another neighborhood, that doesn't mean I can sell your home for up to 100% more.

Even in the same area on the same street, if I sell a nicer renovated home, my $$/sqft will be higher than the crappier home you sold next door.
That doesn't mean I can sell the home across the street for the same $$/sqft as the renovated one I just sold.

You can't make such a stretch. It's dishonest. This is fuzzy math, fudging numbers.

You can't take the MLS data and make illogical conclusions.

Unfortunately, most homeowners are dumb and will take these claims at face value.

[MikeJaquish]

I disagree that "most homeowners are dumb," but she definitely is bottom fishing for idiots and believes there are enough of them to make it worthwhile.

[Sunshine Rules]

If you feel it is false advertising, you can call up the broker or make a complaint about the agent with their Board of Realtors. All Realtors must follow the Code of Ethics and Article 12 of the Code specifies Realtors shall be honest and truthful in their real estate communications and shall present a true picture in their advertising, marketing, and other representations.

[bbronston]

^^^As usual, we agree. Clearly, this agent should have said those numbers represent what she has done, not what she will do.

[Slytrix]

Well... If it says "up to" it could be .0000001% more or actually no more and still be technically correct. I agree though, it is shady advertising.

I also think that while most homeowners are not dumb, most don't see the value of trying to learn the market in which they are selling. They often will pick the agent with the most advertising and many times leave substantial money on the table.