I found a lovely blogsite bashing all REALTORS(R) - by lovely, I mean that while I get the point of it (at least I think I do, let me take a stab at it: it's written by someone who believes that REALTORS(R) are a waste of time and are even harmful to a real estate transaction.  I haven't decided if the author is vengeful, crazy or just passionate about something they believe to be a necessary change.  I choose to believe the passion part), I think it's a tad bit extreme, accusatory, slanderous and...

Ok, everyone is entitled to their opinion and often, based upon our own anecdotal evidence, our opinions may seem very solid and almost factual.  But, they are still opinions none the less.

I really wanted to address something I read on that site (well actually, I'd like to address a whole lot of things but it's not my goal in life to try to change the writers opinion about REALTORS(R) so anyway...).

The guest writer makes the following statement:
"...in light of the current mortgage mess. The basis of it all is that people paid too much for their houses. Period..." 

The guest writer is saying that the reason why people paid "too much" for their home is because REALTORS(R) should have known homes were over priced and guided buyers accordingly.  That because REALTORS(R) are paid based upon a percentage of the sales price, it was in their best interest to keep pushing home prices higher and higher.

In other words, REALTORS(R) should always have crystal balls.  Yes, we should cleary know and predict (with 100% accuracy mind you) the future value of any real estate we sell.

Gosh golly gee, it's no wonder no REALTOR(R) can make the grade she's set.

Let's completely ignore the fact that prices rise when the demand is high and the supply is low.  That without a single REALTOR(R) involved in any transaction, sellers would have still kept their prices high and buyers would still have bought just about anything sight-unseen.

It was a frenzy.  Credit was very loose and lenders were lending like crazy.  In fact, Fannie and Freddie were FORCING lending institutions to lend to severly unqualified buyers on the basis of "anti-discrimination, steering and other politically correct reasons".  In other words, money was flowing freely and "reverse" discrimination was mandatory.

I know from our experience, it didn't matter WHAT we said to people, they were going to do what they were going to do. If we advised that perhaps they shouldn't use a zero down, negative ammortization I/O loan to buy their 8th property in a month (in a market where rents were paying 1/2 the mortgage cost at the peak), they simply either ignored us or went to another REALTOR(R) and bought what they wanted.

In other words, a REALTOR(R) can give the best possible advice but it is ENTIRELY up to the buyer to either heed that advice or ignore it.  It's also convenient how quickly a buyer "forgets" the advice given to them, which explains why the advice I give is in writing, and signed and dated by both the buyer and myself.

At some point with some consumers, you just have to shut up and do what they want you to do.  Kind of stinks, we get slammed because we don't "advise enough" and we get slammed because "I know what I'm doing, I'm only using you because I have to".

A major catch 22.

(The guest writer goes on to say that REALTORS(R) caused the whole fiasco.  It's so much easier to cast blame than to look in the mirror as a consumer, isn't it!?)

P.S. I have a feeling I am totally setting myself up to be slammed, I sincerely hope the author of the blog doesn't do it.  I've seen it done to other agents by this author, but I am not privy to the details so again, I choose to believe the best, that there was culpability on the part of the agents involved and the author was simply "outing" those agents.

P.P.S. The worst part about this particular blog??  The fact that we as REALTORS(R) have done nothing to truly show why we are a fundmentally necessary component to the sale of real estate.  In other words, the public thinks all we do is throw the property in the MLS and show up at the closing table.  

P.P.P.S. Hum... I just realized that the real product behind the posts is a subscription based website.  Hum... in the interests of real estate transparency and something truly free, I believe I will do something a little unique... I will follow, document, journal, every detail of every working day of my life for 1 week (I may do more, but right now I'll commit to 1 week), in an attempt to teach you a smidgeon of what I know (or rather have to know) FOR FREE.  I will work on recording my every thought process (even the ones that make me look stupid, politically incorrect, aggressive, angry, etc.) that reveals the reality of a real estate transaction.

P.P.P.P.S. Let's get one thing straight, I agree with the author of the blog in all too many instances.  I agree that we need to see some major reform in the real estate industry (and not just with REALTORS(R).)  I agree that licensing standards should be much more stringent and more costly.  I agree that REALTORS(R) should be held to much higher standards than a simple "code of ethics".  But, I also believe what we have is a start, a foundation, a place on which to build.  I don't believe it's unchangable.  I don't believe that all REALTORS(R) suck (just a few that make the rest of the industry smell like skunk).

Want to following the reality series?  No, I won't make REALTORS(R) look stupid, but it will be reality.  Then subscribe to this blog.  I'll beginning "following myself" either tomorrow or the following day and will post approximately 48 hours after each day happens.

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