Jeff Dowler just posted about the decision in a California case of buyer vs agent. There's the issue of personal responsibility, but that's fodder for another blog.
More and more of us are representing international buyers. It's so important for us to understand the differences in real estate purchases in that country and in ours, so that you can properly advise them, and point out things they might misconstrue. It would also be helpful to know the differences in legal systems and legal interpretations.
In Finland, for example, it is the INTENT of the parties that prevails over the written contract - just the opposite of the United States. Think how much better you will serve your Finnish clients if you can explain to them why the written contract is so important and why they should really concentrate on what it says.
As information becomes a commodity, proper advice is priceless.
