Five Questions With: Chris Fascione

CHRIS FASCIONE, a licensed Realtor for more than 25 years, now works with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Gammons Realty. He is the chair of the Rhode Island Association of Realtors Risk Management Committee and president of the Kent-Washington Association of Realtors. /COURTESY BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES GAMMONS REALTY
CHRIS FASCIONE, a licensed Realtor for more than 25 years, now works with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Gammons Realty. He is the chair of the Rhode Island Association of Realtors Risk Management Committee and president of the Kent-Washington Association of Realtors. /COURTESY BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES GAMMONS REALTY

Chris Fascione, a licensed Realtor for more than 25 years, now works with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Gammons Realty. He is the chair of the Rhode Island Association of Realtors Risk Management Committee and president of the Kent-Washington Association of Realtors. He responded this week to a series of questions about industry trends.

PBN: What is the function of the Risk Management Committee at the Rhode Island Association of Realtors and why is it necessary?

FASCIONE: Our mission is to help protect our associates and clients, as well as the profession overall and [preserve] the benefits of homeownership. As brokers and agents, we are deeply committed to protecting the interests of our customers, and to managing our business in ways that are honest and fair to all. But despite a willingness to hold ourselves accountable, we live in an increasingly complicated world. The process of transacting real estate is fraught with issues that can expose sales associates and their clients to harm. It’s critically important that we stay on top of those issues and educate our membership about them.

PBN: What are some of the current topics that your committee is addressing?

- Advertisement -

FASCIONE: In the past months, we have discussed and developed recommendations on a wide variety of topics. The safety of licensees, cybersecurity and email fraud targeted at our associates and their clients, and antitrust issues have been at the forefront of our discussions recently. We have also been focusing on social media and independent contractor issues.

PBN: What national trends do you see?

FASCIONE: There is a rise in liability related to solar panels, from a clear title, lien perspective, to repairs, maintenance and appraisal issues. Copyright infringements are also a concern due to the popularity of multiple and high-definition pictures online. Licensees have to be sure they have all the necessary authorizations and appropriate ownership of the photographs.

PBN: How has social media affected the industry?

FASCIONE: Now more than ever we must be diligent to adhere to the rules and regulations of Statewide Multiple Listing Service, which is how most agents exchange property information. We are addressing the advertising violations and copyright laws. Social media has opened up a whole new set of issues in that respect.

PBN: What is the impact of new technologies?

FASCIONE: From a technology perspective, cybercrime is becoming more and more sophisticated every day. The National Association of Realtors is alerting real estate companies, agents and buyers about cybercriminals who use cloud storage and free email services to perpetrate fraud and trying to keep everyone on top of the latest scams and how to avoid them.

Mary MacDonald is a PBN staff writer. Email her at MacDonald@PBN.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryF_MacDonald.

No posts to display