Alternate Scenario
In California it is unlawful for a City council member to vote on projects which might increase the value of their property or business. I personally think that is somewhat silly, I mean why do people get on the city council? To do a public service, better their neighborhood, etc. but if a vote comes, say to do a sewer grade project on ABC Avenue and Councilperson X has a business in the project area they might have to abstain.
So what about looking at this from another perspective.
A purchaser may have some reasonable expectation that a parcel purchased through a surveyor would have a clear title?
If you bought a horse from a vetinarian, would you expect him to not realize the thing was obviously cancer ridden.
On that note, I myself am too ingrained into surveying to not kick the dirt a little on any piece of land that touches my hands.
Perhaps some would avoid using me as a realtor because of the "risk" of discovery and disclosure of title issues, but on the other hand, buyers would love me for providing parcels that have guarantee of title far and above that of the title insurance.
So no, I'm not afraid of the conflict of interest claims. Instead, I see it as the "total package". Much as I would think a vet would be the best type of horse salesman, I think a surveyor would be an excellent realtor. Providing that he/she isn't afraid to:
"Stand behind what he sells".
I struggle over this one, but I like what you're saying. Why not get in the realty business, survey the property, clear up any boundary issues, certify a boundary plat, research the title, and make an attempt to do things right. The typical realtor wants to avoid any research or knowledge that might harm the sale of the property instead of encouraging that the boundaries get staked, making sure that there are not encroachments, etc.
I would think that the answer to your question would depend alot on the size of your community. Sometimes the people in small rural towns have to wear many hats. It's been that way since the beginning of time (beginning of that community).
There are a lot of things that go on locally that would never fly in bigger towns.
James
