Here is a line from their website about referral fees.
"We are able to provide this as a free service because of the fees we charge our members. We currently have over 1,000."

Looks like they pass the disclosure test.

I think that the NAR "Ethics" violation is a very long stretch. When you consider that Lending Tree has "Approved Professionals" which using Jerry W's logic would "imply" that everyone else are Not Approved Professionals.

The funny part of this whole discussion is that what they are doing is absolutely no different than any other referral network that targets any lifestyle.

Some people in this thread have just chosen to bash this particular referral network because they are openly christian. Funny how it has become so popular to open bash "Christians" but most of those that do would never say anything against Muslims, Jews for fear of being called a Bigot, but they can safely bash Christians because it is fashionable or politically correct to do so!

JMHO

Not necessarily Paul.

I didn't mean just having it on the website.

Every Realtor that accepts any sort of buyer or seller referral from them would be ethically required to disclose to the consumer, the fact that he or she is rebating 25% of the commission back to HisMove.com for the 'privilege' of serving them (in addition to their 10% tithe of course :p )

In most states the real estate commissions compel that disclosure to a consumer of real estate services also.

I believe you'll also agree that a consumer doesn't always get the 'best and the brightest' by using licensees referred from any website or entity; this one included.

Being a Christian and practicing the tenets of your faith makes you a better person (hopefully) but does it necessarily make you a better Realtor???

Paul, a statement that a network has "approved professionals" is not the same message as “Wouldn’t you rather have a Christian agent that is more interested in YOU than in a commission???” Get real.

Could you please cite some examples of statements made by non-Christian networks that blatantly imply what this one does? That non-members are only interested in a buck. If you can, then it doesn't mean that CREN's statement is okay, it merely shows that those other networks engage in the same misleading practices. And if you know of some, then please do list some specific examples here as I think it will help educate everyone. If you know of Jewish or gay or Muslim or atheist or Taoist or Native American or any other referral networks that imply that only their members provide honest service and that non-member agents are only interested in commissions, please share them with us so they can be exposed for what they are. Perhaps all of them should be reported to NAR for potential code violations.

If it makes you feel better, I have a problem with all of the below:
Wouldn’t you rather have a Jewish agent that is more interested in You than in a commission???
Wouldn’t you rather have a Hindu agent that is more interested in You than in a commission???
Wouldn’t you rather have a Native American agent that is more interested in You than in a commission???
Wouldn’t you rather have a gay agent that is more interested in You than in a commission???
Wouldn’t you rather have a Muslim agent that is more interested in You than in a commission???
Wouldn’t you rather have a Taoist agent that is more interested in You than in a commission???
Wouldn’t you rather have an atheist agent that is more interested in You than in a commission???
Wouldn’t you rather have a non-Christian agent that is more interested in You than in a commission???
Wouldn’t you rather have a pantheist agent that is more interested in You than in a commission???
Wouldn’t you rather have a black agent that is more interested in You than in a commission???
Wouldn’t you rather have a Sikh agent that is more interested in You than in a commission???

The reason the Christian Real Estate Network’s statement draws some fire is because while it is trying to project an image of virtuousness, it is subtly denigrating others. If it merely advertised: “Contact us if you would like a Christian agent to represent you” I wouldn’t have an issue with it. However, it denigrates others by casting aspersions on non-Christian interests, suggesting non-Christians are only interested in money and not the client. Funny, isn’t it? Why was the network created? Probably to make money for the creators. Why do they charge money to join? Why do they charge referral fees? Why do member agents join? Give up? It’s so they can make money! I suppose you’ll tell us that really that’s not the case. These members want to “minister” to each other and that money is just a necessary evil that they are willing to accept. Bull. They are in it for the money. For their network to suggest that non-Christian agents are really more interested in money and won’t serve their interests as well as Christian agents will (who remember are not really interested in money) PURE HYPOCRISY. That’s why it’s easy to criticize this network.

And some people still think that most wars are not about religion....

Good one RC. :p

Paul: the reason no one bashes Jews, Muslims or other religions is that they don't try to cram their theology down everyone's throat. They also don't routinely assemble entire stadiums full of people, where they chant how they are the best religion, and how they need to pray for all the other non-believers' souls. They also don't pollute an entire hour or two of a TV channel once a year with their "message". They also don't leave their holy books in every hotel room. I can go on and on.

Christianity has become the most hypocritical and just plain annoying religion out there, and that's why they get bashed. I'll point out the various instances of where they tried to influence the teaching of evolution in schools, and tried to install creation "science" as mandatory curriculum.

In my experience, people who flaunt their Christianity are almost always conceited and think they're better than the non-believers. They always try to recruit you, some do it subtly and some don't.

A Christian realtor will not be any better at his job than some other one. However, they ARE trying to imply that because they are Christian, somehow their ethics and values are better than everyone else's, and that makes it ethically wrong.

RonSmith,

No one bashes Muslims because they, "don't try to cram their theology down everyone's throat"?

I guess that's why countries like Egypt, Iran and Syria are so well known for their stances on religious tolerance and progressive affirmation of women's rights. Perhaps you would do well to pick up a book, newspaper or audit a class at your local community college sometime.

I can't for the life of me fathom how HisMove.com, which I am not a member of, could generate so much hatred and negativity. None of this is about the "heathen" real estate agents among us, it's about the comfort and perception of the potential client. I have no problem with a person desiring to use someone as their agent based on a perceived comfort whether it be Black folks looking to use a Black agent or agency, Hispanic folks using a Hispanic agent or agency, Gay folks using a Gay agent or agency or Christian folks using a Christian agent or agency.

They may or may not wind up with poor service by limiting their criteria to one specific group or cross section of people, but that is their choice. If John and Jane Doe want to use an agent who is more interested in the Great Commission than a real estate commission... so be it. Why should you or I care?

I'm pretty sure the rift runs deeper than someone caring about a website that boasts a network of a thousand or so agents. Maybe some entrepreneur here will start an agnostic lead network. And you know, that would be fine with me too.

I'm not threatened by any of it,
JTKing

I couldn't give a hoot what religion an agent is or even if an agent wants to call himself a "Christian Agent. Jerry W's last post hit the nail right on the head.

Thanks
Jim

The less God interferes with my listings the happier I am. I will never take a listing from a person who substitutes logic with "faith". People like that are impossible to deal with...I know from experience.

I dont know if it was the 12 years of catholic schooling that ruined it for me or just the fact that I can now see through all the BS but organized religion is so tainted. 99% of the super religious people i have encountered are the biggest phonies.

To me religion is the biggest and scariest weapon out there.

OH great, argue by insulting my intelligence. Perhaps you'd be served well by a reading comprehension class. Read AGAIN what I wrote. When was the last time you saw Muslims preaching on a street corner, handing out Quran to people. Yes, they have their own weird traditions and they thing we are infidels, but it ends there. Any idiot knows that their militancy uses Islam only as an excuse, and their real motivation is political.

So any other examples? Care to argue about Buddhists or Jews?

Anyway, nobody hates your stupid referral network. Nobody could care less. I'm telling you what perception your statements generate, such as the one where you imply that christian agents are more ethical than others, who only care about commission. Typical we-re-better-than-you crap.

Ron,

I find it interesting that you can so clearly and conclusively dissect the intent of another humans heart. Your "learned" ways allow you to know that practitioners of Islam don't really hold to their religious belief for purity, but for political means... presumably "world domination". At least that is the typical belief held by those who believe as you do. Or that the "We're better than you" mindset is typical of Christians. Another wild, broad and prejudicial statement.

If you couldn't care less (I'm assuming that is what you meant, forgive me if I'm wrong) about the HisMove.com network, then it has to be something deeper. The implication that you draw from their statement is most likely based on your own insecurities about something else. There's nothing unethical about earning a commission, so why would that disturb you?

If I were a member of the Christian public perusing this board to find an agent near me, I would be cautious about choosing you to represent me. Clearly you have no respect for Christianity, nor do you appear to consider a believer an equal. Your statements bear a strong disdain for Christianity, not HisMove.com. I feel no need to debate or discuss with you the tenants of Judaism, Buddhism or Taoism. As Jim Lee stated, neither of us will change our opinions one iota. I will agree to disagree with you on this.

I hold no ill toward you or anyone else that has posted here. It just really surprises me that some are so vicious toward something so benign as a real estate lead network.

May the Force be with you,(That's for all the practicing Jedi's out there!)
JTKing

Right on, JT!

I wasn't vicious. I was responding to Paul, who can't understand why it's so "fashionable" to bash Christianity while no-one ever bashes the other religions.

My stance on this referral network is that it's in typical christian style...using religion to try and win over trust. Not something that I think is ethical, no mater what the religion is. Seeing how christians are the only ones who prostitue their religion out for political or financial gain (here in the US at least), that's why it gets so much negative publicity.

Btw, the original post was SPAM! A totally useless topic started specifically to promote the website. I'm willing to bet this network is virtually non-existent and they're trying to spam their way through websites to gain more members.

How do I wish you were right. Live amongst them, and tell me how easy it is to practice your faith.

I struggle with sending this post, I'd like to see the whole topic come to an end.
The original post was just a question. All it needed was a yes or a no or no comment at all. As a Christain, I feel the one being attached by some and I should not be surprised.
And on the other hand it is really interesting to read inserts from those that show wisdom, and an open mindeness for others instead of hate and bashing.
Look into your heart as you write your remarks. Do you see hate or peace. I hope those of you who see hate can find peace.
Respectfully,
mccrpt - Pat