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Sam Shueh, mba, cdpe, reopro, pe (   (408) 425-1601)

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5,049,450
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

It's not that it's Twitter itself but what's in the public eye and a reflection not only on the agent but on the brokerage. Freedom of speech and thought is not necessarily freedom from consequences.   Employers have not hired certain candidates and have fired employees for activities online they deem detrimental to the company as another example.

Feb 02, 2017 05:35 PM
Rainmaker
5,005,659
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Ahhh..interesting..I agree with Jeff Dowlers comment..there are consequences with freedom of speech when what's projected in the public eye is a reflection not only on the agent but on the brokerage. We have choices in life and there are consequences for our actions. Just saying....

Feb 02, 2017 05:47 PM
Rainmaker
400,356
Jill Murty, Realtor - Orange County, CA
Movoto - Laguna Niguel, CA

If the realtor tweeted on their business account and the brokerage name was included in their user name, the company may have grounds for firing.  

If not, the brokerage probably disagreed with his comment and fired him because he dared hold an opinion different from that of the person who did the firing. 

Feb 02, 2017 06:48 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Pretty hard to fire a private contractor. I think letting them go would be the better answer.

Feb 02, 2017 06:42 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Well, it is up to each of us what we are posting on our social media pages. I do not do and will not get caught in such discussions. 

Feb 02, 2017 05:59 PM
Rainmaker
809,258
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

Who's firing them?  Are they not an independent contractor with the brokerage?  If he breached some sort of conduct clause in the independent contractor agreement he could be asked to leave the brokerage, but as an independent contractor he can just find another brokerage to go to or start his own. 

Feb 02, 2017 08:10 PM
Rainmaker
151,633
Julie Larson Realtor® Sarasota FL 941-284-9826
White Sands Realty Group FL | 941-284-9826 | Serving Sarasota, Manatee & Charlotte Counties - Sarasota, FL
When you're thinking of moving...ThinkSuncoast.com

Sam Shueh, I could be wrong, but I think it's called "tweeting"!  lol

Feb 02, 2017 06:12 PM
Rainer
417,221
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

Name calling became to easy. People think they can curse and say false or mean things without any dust on their back. Time to all be kind. Recently I told someone on line who was smashing an old lady on the back of the head with XXXCV@@#$ words and calling her terrible junk for nothing! I had to chime in, "didn't your mother teach you not to say anything if you have nothing nice to say?"   Of course they jumped on me and I only said nice things.  Go read J K Rowling's twitter it's funny how she handles mean people, with humor and self deprication

Feb 02, 2017 05:52 PM
Ambassador
6,393,494
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

If my employees posted some of the hateful stuff that I am seeing littered all over twitter, I would fire them immediately.

Feb 02, 2017 05:43 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I suppose a brokerage can choose not to affiliate itself with agents who behave in certain ways.

Feb 03, 2017 04:01 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Yes. Many people are fired or sued for using Twitter and other social media inappropriately. Several cops, firefighters, and government employees have been fired for posting unacceptable comments on twitter, fb, etc.

Feb 03, 2017 04:00 AM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Never tweet about current transactions...

Feb 02, 2017 10:07 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Sam Shueh - there is a difference between Freedom of Speech - and facing consequences.

Feb 02, 2017 09:48 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I think twitter should beshut edown...We would have a lot less issues blowing up  before the real truth comes out.

Feb 02, 2017 08:41 PM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

     I've been on Twitter since 2009.   I have 20,000 followers on two different accounts. 

      I routinely call Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey derogatory names (which he more than deserves); I have not been suspended yet!

   My main account is Twitter dot com slash Fred Griffin.  Tonight I am on a political roll.  Come see me!

Feb 02, 2017 08:17 PM
Rainmaker
1,771,867
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

I use Twitter every day but I keep it light. I never lash out any anyone.

Feb 02, 2017 07:49 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

What agents do in social media and in their personal lives does trickle over into the image and impressions of the agent and company. Tweet at your own risk I suppose.

Feb 02, 2017 07:46 PM
Ambassador
5,230,102
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

They can be asked to move their license to another brokerage, for sure! 

I tell my millennial boys all the time to be especially careful what they post online - employers look at that before you ever sit in front of them for an interview! 

Feb 02, 2017 07:43 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Yikes.  Play nice on refrain from comments that will bite is in the butt.

Feb 03, 2017 01:40 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

IMHO, entries in social media are protected by the First Amendment. Whether they are in good taste, is up to the public to decide. Still, there is no replacing common sense and decency.

Feb 03, 2017 12:31 PM
Rainmaker
4,936,705
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Thanks for this information, did not hear this.

 

Feb 03, 2017 12:26 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Having conducted several research projects into safe social media use for various agencies and companies I've been involved with, the answer is "YES". 

Some real examples:

  • GM fired their twitter company because the twitterer accidently tweeted something negative about detroit traffic on their page instead of his own.
  • A pro baseball team fired a long-time janitor for a negative comment about the team's performance.
  • I've personally assisted HR departments in researching and terminating employees for social media postings that violated company regs and/or federal laws.
Feb 03, 2017 09:41 AM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

Most of us can not be "fired" since we are independent contractors - but there are consequences to all this online garbage

In the words of Marilyn Milan - "Say it forget it, write it regret it!"

Words to live by

Feb 03, 2017 09:03 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Fired how?  His coments could mean more business.

Feb 03, 2017 09:00 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Jeff Dowler said it well.....

Feb 03, 2017 08:50 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

If tweeting from a business related account, I can see this happening.  Actually, I can see it happen from any account.

Feb 03, 2017 08:30 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Politics and real estate are not meant to be mixed! The cocktail can be toxic!

Feb 03, 2017 06:33 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,654
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Be careful what you tweet...

Feb 03, 2017 05:57 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It would depend on the contract one signs with company that hires you. For me i am sick and tired of multy millionaire celebrities who have no clue what reality is, spouting off about politics. SO i would appreciate any one who stands up against them. There will be many movies i wont be paying to see, many singers i will not go to their shows and comedians i wont be paying to see.  

Feb 03, 2017 05:48 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,139
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I would not condone that kind of conduct by an agent.

Feb 03, 2017 05:38 AM
Rainer
150,416
Michael Thacker - Re/Max Real Estate Center - Louisville
Re/Max Real Estate Center - The Thacker Group - Louisville, KY
Your best friend who just happens to be a Realtor

Jeff Dowler pretty much nailed it on the head.

As far as Twitter being on last leg, I don't really think so. Very effective communication model, and I know in my case I have sold homes using it. "Other" people like using it too! 

Feb 03, 2017 05:34 AM
Rainmaker
823,579
Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL

I agree with Jeff Dowler and I personally try to stay out of politics and any other controversial topics, even with family and friends. I am about to give up on Facebook because of the constant barrage of negative political comments coming from every direction. I can imagine that brokerages, who have an image to maintain, would not think kindly of someone who disparages or bullies others.

Feb 03, 2017 05:11 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Jeff Dowler nailed this one!

Feb 03, 2017 05:07 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

No idea.

Feb 03, 2017 04:10 AM
Rainmaker
516,437
Brenda J. Andrew
ULTIMA REAL ESTATE - Willis, TX
Professional Realtor in Conroe/Willis, TX

It sounds like a comment that should have been kept to theirselves instead of telling the world how they felt.  Our online presence is vital to our success.  This would have been a negative that went out to who knows how many people.  

Feb 03, 2017 04:09 AM
Rainer
321,564
Melissa Jackson REALTOR
Trinity Premier Properties - Azle, TX
Helping You Make The Right Move

I agree with Dorie Dillard   We should be very careful using social media.

Feb 02, 2017 10:58 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

It is better to focus on business and not to get involved with politics.  On real going transactions the less you post the better realtor you are.

Feb 02, 2017 10:23 PM
Rainmaker
599,274
Nathan Gesner
American West Realty and Management - Cody, WY
Broker / Property Manager

Private companies should be able to fire employees that reflect bad on them and their business. 

Feb 02, 2017 07:55 PM
Rainmaker
1,045,440
Dave Martin (703) 585-4687
Fairfax Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome

Well we are independent contractors so not sure if fired is quite accurate.

Dec 06, 2017 09:13 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I think using any social media site to put another person down should be avoided.

Feb 05, 2017 04:28 PM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

Action the brokerage deems offense has consequences. Sure he can be fired for tweeting or emailing or just about any form of offensive communication.

Feb 04, 2017 12:11 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Sam,

It is poor way to promote yourself.  As a real estate agent, one should remain neutral in public in my opinion.  A

Feb 03, 2017 03:47 PM