REAL Smart with Cheryl King and Maura Neill

Free speech is a constitutional right. The REALTOR Code of Ethics is a professional obligation. But what happens when the two collide? This week, Maura and Cheryl dig into the tension between what you're legally allowed to say and what your code of ethics says you should say -- and where the line gets blurry for agents."I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." ~ Evelyn Beatrice Hall

Agents spend a lot of time protecting their clients. But who's protecting you? This week, Maura and Cheryl dig into the scams and schemes currently making the rounds, and yes, you're the target. Tune in to find out what to look for, what to avoid, and how to stay one step ahead of the con.

In real estate, conversations don’t close deals, contracts do. It’s easy to rely on a handshake, a text, or a “we’re all on the same page” moment—but when details aren’t in writing, they’re not enforceable. And when things go sideways, those gaps can become costly. In this episode, Cheryl and Maura explore why verbal agreements fall apart, where agents get into trouble, and how to make sure every deal is built on something solid and signed.

Some deals come dressed up as opportunities… but carry real risk underneath. “Subject to” offers promise creative solutions, but they can raise serious legal and ethical concerns, including potential mortgage fraud. What sounds like a win-win can quickly unravel if lenders, title, or the law get involved. In this episode, Maura and Cheryl pull back the curtain on these offers, what they really mean, and how to recognize when a deal crosses from creative into dangerous territory.

Sometimes it's about more than just the house. From refrigerators to light fixtures to that oddly beloved backyard swing, personal property can turn a smooth transaction into a surprisingly emotional standoff. What’s included, what’s excluded, and what was assumed can quickly blur, especially when it’s not clearly defined in the contract. In this episode, Cheryl and Maura break down how small items create big disputes and how to eliminate confusion before it becomes conflict.

Possession sounds simple… until it isn’t. When buyers or sellers stay in a home outside of closing, the clean handoff everyone expects can quickly turn into a tangle of liability, timelines, and unmet expectations. Who’s responsible if something breaks? What happens if someone won’t leave? And what did everyone think was agreed to versus what’s actually in writing? In this episode, Maura and Cheryl unpack how post-closing and pre-closing possession can go sideways, and how to structure these agreements so the keys change hands without the chaos.