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A kinder gentler real estate profession - can we give it a try please?

Can we be kinder to each other please? Taking care of each other

It doesn't take a degree in economics to understand that people are hurting financially. All we have to do is look around us at the people within our own industry to know that the real estate market down turn has hurt more than just homeowners. It's hurt all of us.

In my Metro Detroit area I have watched as many agents have left the business, as well as mortgage lenders and home inspectors.   I cringe each time I hear "well, that's more business for us" or "It's getting rid of the bad ones" or the ever popular "If they just worked harder they wouldn't have left."

Hogwash.

I don't know about you, but the people that have left the industry that I'm acquainted with have been stand out people that provided a wonderful service and agents that I thoroughly enjoyed working with.   They've left this industry because they need to provide for their families. They've left the industry because they didn't have a choice.

Oh I'm sure there are some agents and other real estate professionals that got into this industry when times were great and then bailed, but for the most part this is not what I'm seeing as the norm.

Truth of the matter is we've lost good people. Hardworking real estate agents and mortgage lenders and home inspectors who need to feed their families and provide health insurance and pay their mortgages...you get the picture.

Last year I offered to help a struggling agent as he took on another job to feed his family and pay his bills. I didn't want anything in return - only his continued presence in this industry.   Why? He was a damned good agent who cared about his clients and always conducted himself in an ethical manner. Sadly, he couldn't hang on and made a decision that I know broke his heart.

Please. Let's be kinder to each other.   Instead of saying "He didn't work hard enough" or "More business for me!" how about offering a helping hand when we can?    A kind phone call to someone struggling, an offer of your time without any expected compensation, or a bit of advice and cheerleading can go a long way to lift a persons spirit in their time of need.

Photo courtesy of Valerie Everetts Photostream via Flickr - Creative Commons License

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Posted by Kris Wales - Macomb County MI real estate blog & homes for sale search site on 06/29/2009 06:54 AM

Comments (16)

16 Comments on A kinder gentler real estate profession - can we give it a try please?

JUN

Sometimes and sometimes not Kris....I know things are different in every market...and some of the people who are gone...are the ones that hurt the business...buying the listing...or waited for the phone to ring....I soo believe in a hand up, heart out...glad you do too !

Kris, what a wonderful post. It has been a scary time, and Detroit is unthinkable. I try to be kind at all times. But I know what you mean, I see and hear it all the time. When I hear it I think to myself, be careful, it can and will be you, just takes a bad month, wrong set of circumstances to happen, you never know. We have lost good people, and it is a shame.

Kris,

I hear what you're saying, but Real Estate isn't going to get nicer, so longer as there are people involved. We could be far more understanding, however.

I also know of some good agents who have left the business and it wasn't because they weren' hard workers; it was typically because they couldn't adapt to change. The market changes, the regulatory changes and the higher emphasis on technology have made it difficult for many agents. It's simply too litigious and diffiuclt an industry for some.

I lament those leaving... In our area they are the agents with 20+ years of experience who are finding the door. They are taking with them experience and wisdom that newer younger agents don't yet have. It's not good for consumers or the industry as a whole.

Sally and David: I'm seeing the complete opposite here. The ones who buy the listings and aren't good co-op agents are the ones making it. The good "client comes first" agents are the ones that I've seen that are leaving and it makes me ache.

Andrea: Thank you. I do the same..."There but for the grace of God go I..."

Matthew: Yes, I agree. It's not good for the consumers or the industry as a whole. It really makes me sad and wonder if there isn't more that we can all be doing to help those get through this?

Great post- while we are somewhat in competition with each other, working together is critical to our success as a profession.

I was on a listing presentation a few weeks ago (we were the 2nd agents interviewed) and one question the Seller asked was "how often do you show the home yourself" and "how many of your homes do you sell yourself". Because the agent she interviewed before "bragged" that they were almost only agent who ever showed their listings and that was why they should have hired him.

I responded that I show my own listings quite often, and have brought the buyer for 3 of my listings since January, BUT my goal is to sell their home by exposing to the largest number of qualified buyers and that a KEY way to do this was by enlisting the help of my strong network skills.

I explained that while I was confident in my marketing abilities and sales skills I was not disillusional in thinking that my buyer pool could come close to competiting with the combined buyer pool of the 4700 other realtors in the area. Needless to say we were hired as the buyer pool that can be obtained by networking with our peers and providing positive experiences with us helps us sell homes.

Kris,

You are absolutely right. Unfortunately MOST real estate agents are not like you but I for one will never stoop to that Greed Mongering Level!

Christine and Jennifer: You hit on something else that is very imporant: Reputation. When an agent has a good reputation for being a wonderful person to co-op with it brings value to the consumer in the way you clearly pointed out. Thank you. (Congratulations on getting the listing!)

Rick: We're all competitive, but being kind should never go out of fashion. The Greed Mongering is a good way of putting some of what I've been seeing. It's a shame.

Behind every real estate license number is a person - we forget that at times. Good reminder for us all.

Kris, I couldn't agree more and find that my practice and teaching of yoga, reminds me on a daily basis that loving kindess and compassion towards are about the best things we can aspire to on this Earth

Kris: Great post! what comments do you have concerning lowering your commission during these troubled times?

Here in Texas some REALTORs have lowered theirs and a few, believe it or not, have raised their commission!

Gary: I loved what you wrote. There is a human being, a person with feelings behind every license number. Thank you.

Janice: You sound like you have a genuine balance in your life that keeps your pulse on being compassionate. It would be a pleasure to meet you one day.

Robert: All brokerage commissions are negotiable. In fact, my paycheck is about 50% of what it once was due to the much lowered sales prices. (Wish my household expenses were 50% less..)

We are all competitors and in this market it is a bit more difficult to look out for you fellow agent. You're right they are just trying to make a living and support a family. Thanks for the perspective.

Kris, I know how much this recession has hurt some excellent real estate agents who absolutely love what they do. Some have taken second jobs and others have left but swear they will come back as soon as they can!

Kris - So true. Being kind to each other is what it is all important. Further, that good karma comes back to you in many ways. Great post ! BTW, just subscribed to your blog too : )

JUN

Out here it seems that the good people left because they decided to retire or move to another state. For the other people, I've seen that too often it's relevant to say:

"Well, that's more business for us."
"It's getting rid of the bad ones."
"If they just worked harder they wouldn't have left."

Real estate and other commission-only jobs are not for the weak of heart, spirit, or work ethics. Interestingly, though, it also takes a strong heart, spirt, and work ethics to know when to pack it in and move on. So it's a mixed bag.

Terry: You're welcome. Hope your day is a good one!

Carole: It sounds like you've been witnessing it also - good caring real estate professionals that you used to work with who have had to move on from the profession. I hope those that are caring and good will come back. We all need them.

Christopher and Stephanie: Thank you for subscribing! I'll do likewise (in fact, I think I already have :-)

Russel: You're right, it does take a strong heart and spirit to move on. Sad mixed bag don't you think?

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