Real estate broker Kate Meckler has recently made headlines after being caught stealing clothes worth $1,644 from Saks Fifth Avenue. Meckler’s case is notable not only for the severity of the charges but also for the fact that she managed to avoid jail time despite admitting to the theft.
Meckler’s privileged background and connections are no secret. Her father is the CEO of Mediabistro.com, and her parents own an oceanfront mansion in Southampton that was even used in the film “As Good As It Gets.”
Meckler herself is a graduate of Riverdale Country School and received a BA from New York University. Following her arrest, Meckler reached a plea deal with the Manhattan DA and pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. This plea deal allowed her to avoid jail time, with the only punishment being five days of community service at a local soup kitchen. The case raises important questions about the fairness and impartiality of the justice system.
It is unclear whether a person without Meckler’s wealth and connections would have been able to avoid jail time for a similar offense. This calls into question the idea of equal treatment under the law and highlights the potential influence of wealth and privilege in determining the outcomes of legal cases. In addition, Meckler’s case also raises questions about the ethics of her profession. As a real estate broker, Meckler is expected to act with honesty and integrity in all her dealings.
Her decision to steal from a luxury retailer like Saks Fifth Avenue seems to contradict these expectations and calls into question her fitness for the role. Despite this, Meckler’s employer, Warburg Realty, has stated that they have confidence in her and highly value her association with the company.
Warburg Realty’s president, Frederick Warburg Peters, even suggests that Meckler’s ethical lapse might be an advantage in her line of work, stating that “spotless ethical probity isn’t exactly a quality New Yorkers expect, or necessarily want, from their brokers.” This statement is troubling, as it seems to suggest that ethical lapses are acceptable or even desirable in certain professions.
This is particularly concerning given that real estate brokers are trusted with handling significant sums of money on behalf of their clients. Clients need to be able to trust that their brokers will act with integrity and always act in their best interests.
A real estate broker negotiates and coordinates real estate transactions. This licensed individual’s daily responsibilities include writing contracts and supervising transactions for home, land, and commercial property sales and purchases. A broker has a higher license level than an estate agent and can hire estate agents to work as a team under their supervision.
Ultimately, Meckler’s case is a reminder of the potential influence of wealth and privilege in the justice system, and of the importance of ethical conduct in all professions. While it is important to recognize the specific circumstances of each case, it is also important to consider the broader societal implications of such cases and to strive for a justice system that is fair and impartial for all.
This brings our attention to the following-
How to Select the Best Real Estate Broker
Six Inquiries to Make of a Real Estate Agent
Table of Contents
What kind of background does the real estate agent have?
This does not necessarily refer to how long a broker has been in the business; rather, it will help you understand how well they know the local market and your type of property. Inquire about what has sold in your area in the last three months, six months, how much it sold for, and how long it took to sell. Inquire, for example, “What are the prices of comparable properties?”
A good broker will refuse to market a property that they believe is overpriced. Because listing your home at the right price is critical, enquire how frequently they’ve had to lower the price of a property to make a sale. Brokers should have all of this information at their fingertips, backed up by data, and understand market psychology.
What is his marketing strategy?
Users need a detailed breakdown of everything the broker will do to get your property “out there.” Is the broker’s creative ideas, such as blogs or special events, such as an invitation-only cocktail party for select brokers and prospective buyers, tried and true? How will they distinguish your property from the crowd of other properties a buyer will see?
Because digital marketing is so important (more than 90% of buyers search online), ask them to show you some sample web listings. Make certain that a professional photographer is included in the marketing budget, rather than a photographer who will take generic wide-angle shots.
Users want someone who can capture the details as well as the important and interesting aspects of your property, such as the breathtaking view from your deck or a unique feature of one of the rooms.
How will he Keep the Customer Updated?
Inform the broker of your preferred method of communication: text, phone, or email. It should be noted that texting is not appropriate for any important legal communication. Inquire if they will commit to a regular schedule of detailed written marketing and activity reports (every two weeks is a reasonable expectation), and ensure they can be reached easily when you have questions or need an update.
Find out if they have a skilled colleague to cover for them if they are unavailable, and make certain that no one is allowed to view the property unless they or their representative is present.
How much does he Get Paid?
Real estate brokers typically charge a 6% commission, which is split between the sales agent (also known as the listing agent) and the buyer’s agent. Because a portion of it goes to the listing brokerage first, the agent receives a cut of between 60% and 90% of the commission.
However, the commission amount is never fixed, and there may be room for negotiation.
Request a budget and be clear about which sales-related expenses will be covered by the broker’s commission and which you will have to pay for yourself (e.g., staging).
How Well Does He Network?
This does not imply that you are interested in how many social media friends the broker has. Instead, it implies that you are concerned with how well-connected they are within their firms and in the real estate industry. A seasoned broker will have solid connections to other real estate professionals, such as staging companies, real estate lawyers, photographers, and even reputable moving companies.
What References Does He Have?
Avoid ignoring this. Make a note of the names of recent clients. It’s always a good idea for the broker to have a page or two of quotes from clients on hand for that first meeting, but don’t rely solely on that. Make the necessary calls.
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