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7 things your big time magazine reporter won't tell you...

SmartMoney wrote a brief article the other day called “10 things your real estate broker won’t tell you.”

I posted my thoughts about that article, but was given a great title by Larry Morris and had to run with it... so dear news reporters...this one is for you.

"I am really biased." Now, journalists will tell you they get both sides of the story and present that information objectively, but that is not true. The mere action of deciding what sound bites to use adds in a bias. Journalists just admit that you have biases and forget trying to pretend you don't. It's irritating to anyone with common sense. If you don't have any common sense, then you can go on thinking there is no bias in the news. I don't want to be the one to ruin your reality. Seriously, Fox News and the Wall Street Journal have no bias in them. La-de-da...
"I don't really have time to research this article." Now, I know that you are supposed to interview everyone under the sun in order to form your non-biased article, but the fact is that you can't. You call a couple of folks up and call it good. You have deadlines and a family life too. Let's just not pretend that your news article is thorough. I know I was not interviewed for the SmartMoney article.
"Sample size 2=everyone" There's nothing like a good generalization to make the world go round. All celebrities are mental cases, all mortgage brokers commit fraud, and of course all real estate agents are slime balls. Those two people you found clearly represent the masses. I had a bad haircut about 15 years ago. I don't know how I survived into today with my lopsided haircut and bad highlighting job. That one bad experience is clearly indicative that ALL hairdressers give bad hair cuts. If you see me walking down the street with my purple mohawk, you know what happened...no good hairdressers anywhere in the US...
"I didn't pass freshman English." Now I'm not a news reporter, so if I have a sentence ending with a preposition or a run on...and on...and on..so be it. If you are reporting the news to me, you'd better have an editor that can teach you the correct usage for the words two, too, to, and of course the ever popular 2...like in, "I was 2 smart to go to class, and went too the store with my friends to get to slurpies..."
"I plagiarize." This article written in 2005 has some similarities to the above SmartMoney article. At least they changed a few of the words around so it is technically not plagiarism...I mean they switched out the words marketing to networking...
"I can only report things that sensationalize." Who wants to hear that there are good decent people in the world? Hello people...is that boring or what? Idiots, drunks, and exhibitionists are news...who wants to hear about a good real estate agent? I negotiated a short sale for my seller who lost their job helping them get through a stressful time...Zzzzz I helped a young couple buy their first home...Zzzzz. Zzzzz....Zzzzzz...whoa, sorry about that...fell asleep while I was writing this post. Dang, we are a boring group of people.
"I found those statistics on Google and don't have a source for them." Quoting a source is a basic expectation for news reporting, but sometimes...when the reporters have a little ol' deadline to meet and they have to head over to Bob's birthday bash and barbecue, they just Google. Google is a great thing, but we all know that it has misinformation on it. I think I'm going to start making up some numbers on my posts and see if any of them get quoted as fact by a news source. Oh wait...someone already did that on Wikipedia...

Unfortunately I don't have enough education to get me all the way to 10, so I'll just stop at 7. Since I am a real estate agent, apparently I am off to have a marketing networking party at my open house, go find a home inspector to cahoot with, and go bury some unpresented offers under my son's bed along with the dust bunnies and score! an uneaten sandwich...

I was kinda hungry.

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Posted by Melina Tomson, M.S. Salem Oregon Real Estate Specialist on 07/14/2009 05:26 AM

Comments (76)

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76 Comments on 7 things your big time magazine reporter won't tell you...

JUL

Melina,

As a real estate broker with a journalism degree, I think your article is fantastic. It should be given to every practicing journalist and every journalism student. Unfortunately, we know that isn't going to happen, but I wish it could.

I've already had a bite out of that same sandwich....and I really understand and agree with your tongue-barely-in-cheek discussion of the flaws of journalism...including their coverage of US.

Gary then you are perfect for blogging.

Jim the article was a wee bit biased...My tongue was firmly in my cheeck by the way because I needed it to chew my sandwich.

JUL

As I said in a comment to that post about the Money piece, Money magazine has been ragging on the real estate industry for years. We seem to be favorite targets. I suggested that perhaps the author was frightened by a real estate agent as a child.

When the time comes that we have to defend ourselves against attacks by a financial rag, I'll be ready to pack it in.

I was looking for that 2005 article recently and could NOT find it. Thanks. I would think today's sellers would not fall for it as easy as those in 2005, 2006....

I enjoyed the post and hope you have time to think of three more reasons or maybe someone will suggest them to you.

I love it! Starting one's morning with a chuckle or a smile is always a good way to go. Do you suppose that's how the magazine writers feel when they finish one of their real estate agent attacks... or are they serious?

Melina, thanks for your post. This mindless bashing just goes on and on and with very few facts to back it up.

Hi Melina, Yours is the first post I've read today and I'm glad I did! Humorous but true!

Have a great day,

Anne Rains

Hi Melina, I read the "Smart"Money article, actually only excerpts as it caused me nausea, but it was enough to realize that "Smart"Money magazine isn't that smart after all! I enjoyed this post!

Melina,

Gosh, I like my blogs "well done."

Well Done!

Melina - Loved your post. I haven't gone to Smart Money's website for a couple of years but remembers those "top ten things" series of articles for many occupations very well.

Funny but sadly sometimes true. Thanks for the morning enlightenment.

Melina - but they are journalists, and by nature of the job certainly to be respected. We are only realtors, which puts our credibility somewhere between pond scum and car sales people.

I just stopped by again to suggest you send this to the editors at Money Magazine...

I would add to this, don't believe them when after they interview you that your words match up with what you really meant. Taken out of context seems to be jounalism 101.

Money magazine is great for reporting the latest hot funds but they never are good about predicting what to really invest in.

The mag certainly can't write about anything smart in the financial world because of the outstanding job the financiers have done with everybody's money. Can we spell Madoff? Can't pick on used car salesmen or is that salespeople to be PC because nobody's buying cars. Can't pick on big oil because nobody picks on big oil. Don't pick on Hollywood because 'their lawyers are tougher than their lawyers'. Only makes sense to pick on real estate people. Afterall, we put guns to people's heads to sign for those ridiculous loans on those overpriced houses that all of our 'good buddies' built. Nice post.

I lost respect for the media a long time ago. We're slipping quickly towards socialism and all they want to talk about is Michael Jackson.

I have quit subscribing to almost every magazine out there. Even sport's illustrated has become a biased political magazine instead of a sport's magazine. Good for you for calling em out!

Our current media exists not to tell the news but to sell. Afterall, magazines / newspapers have subscribers and news networks have ratings for advertising.

Problem is, too many people believe the hype about the news being unbiased...so not true, and I love the way that you cleverly exposed that fallacy. It was worth the time it took you to write this, and the time for me to read it.

Clever post. I love how you get them back at their own game.

I'm going through the SmartMoney article now. I have to admit, I kinda wish more sellers would read #1 so that I won't have to do any more Open Houses. I actually do tell this to my sellers...I'll just wait right here for the tomato attack...

I am so glad someone finally said all of this! So true! I started college as a Journalism major and ended up with a degree in Graphic Design. I decided that being creative was more fun than being a liar! Both experiences have served me well in real estate! :o))) Great post!

BTW, here's the link to the SmartMoney website and article in case anyone wants to leave a comment there:

http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/for-the-home/10-Things-Your-Real-Estate-Broker-Wont-Tell-You/

GREAT post Melina. Truth in history begins with truth in journalism. Watch for Dr Larry Schweikart's (University of Dayton history prof) book on media bias. His collaboration with a media historian promises to provide sanity to the "media bias" debate in this country. Thanks.

Thanks Melina for your research, follow-up as well as comments! I only read magazines for specific articles any more. The editorials, etc. usually do not merit my time. I can form my own opinions! The TV news is what really, really bugs me! They are sooooo into sharing thgeir opinions.

I live near KSC and after several Endeavor delays, mostly due to weather (which no one can control!)their opening comments are so similar to the garbage they were spouting before Challenger! My own opinion is it is always better to be safe than risk the lives of those on board. I sure miss the real news!

Hi Melina~ Smart money magazine doesn't realize that there are plenty of great Real Estate Broker's out there that are hard working and honest. You just have to look for them. I have plenty of clients to attest to that! Stereotyping is all they are doing... and you would think they would be above that!

MEeina - I really enjoyed this post and the humor as you commented oon the media. Now that everything is on the internet as well as in print there is even more opporutnity to see the error of their ways - more blatantly and faster. I'm glad this was featured - the content is right on and it entertains effectively.

Jeff

Melina: luckily, the tide is really turning when it comes to the media. People ARE ignoring magazines and newspapers and looking for the truth on the Internet straight from the horse's mouth.

I actually think the public understands the media is slanted.

Real estate as an industry has really been the whipping boy the last few years. Thanks for this funny and oh so true read.

Hey why not send it along to the editor's at Money magazine.

Patricia Aulson

Melina - If I could give you a standing ovation here, I would. I love this post! Kudos to you for going right back at them!

Nice post. I love the the job you did writting it. Entertaining. I love how everyone loves to point at this industry as the downfall of the world - how we are all a bunch of croks. Nice job throwing the ball back.

Hi everyone and thanks for the comments. I have a busy morning so I don't have time to personally respond to all the comments.

Apparently, I need to hang around Larry Morris on Facebook more often. He makes one comment that triggers a post, and voila...a feature.

Thanks everyone!

Melina: Awesome... this is so funny! Thanks for my first good laugh of the day...

Melina,

I'm back. I gave your post more thought and remembered the handbook published by the Reuters Foundation. It is available online at: http://handbook.reuters.com/index.php/Main_Page

The following is quoted from their main page:

What Makes a Reuters Journalist?

There are many different types of journalism practised in Reuters, across text, television, picture services and online. No one definition of our craft applies to them all. What must unite us is honesty and integrity. We often face difficult choices in the pursuit of better stories and superior images. In such situations there are several "right" answers and the rules we use run out. We can, however, guard against damage to our reputation through a shared understanding of the fundamental principles that govern our work.

The 10 Absolutes of Reuters Journalism

Always hold accuracy sacrosanct
Always correct an error openly
Always strive for balance and freedom from bias
Always reveal a conflict of interest to a manager
Always respect privileged information
Always protect their sources from the authorities
Always guard against putting their opinion in a news story
Never fabricate or plagiarise
Never alter a still or moving image beyond the requirements of normal image enhancement
Never pay for a story and never accept a bribe

I think we should send this section along with the Handbook link to reporters and editors when we see sloppy journalism especially when we notice that it is harmful to our industry.

I think it would be great to send along with your post to the editors of Money magazine.

I also thought about the fact that as bloggers, we are now actually practicing a form of journalism. We should also keep these principles in mind.

Melina,

Wonderful aricle. What a delightful read and a wonderful way to start the morning with a laugh.

Wishing you continued success

Clever girl :)

Great article! I am not bias! HA HA HA

You mentioned "editors" . . . that's a good one! Editors : jounalists as "managing brokers," "brokers in charge" : agents.

Now Gary where was the article last night as I was writing this...That would have helped me get to 10.

I used to subscribe to MONEY magazine, but cancelled my subscription when they ran an article similar to this a few years ago.

This was not just an lol. I was ACTUALLY laughing out loud. Great post!

You hit the nail on the head with many of your comments.

Kathy

We are the flavor of the month. Since we are usually the largest line item in a real estate transaction we are fair game. Most people never see what we do because a lot of it is boring or fall into the category of you don't want to know.

The media is extremely slanted but I happen to like Fox because they don't pretend to be mainstream like the lefties at NBC, ABC & CBS.

Oh come one, I am sure there are a few of them that made it to Sophomore English. This was great, congrats on the feature.

Bravo Melina. It was infuriating to read the "10 things your real estate broker won't" tell you article. What garbage, especially the part about agents not forwarding offers to their sellers. I'm glad you wrote a great come-back.

Melina - thanks for the laugh! I loved the ending of the post - you certainly have a way with words.

Melina,

What a GREAT post! At one time I aspired to be a reporter/journalist but became disillusioned. That was more years ago than I care to admit, and the discipline (it WAS one at one time!) has run aground. I'm so tired of networks and print media that report rumor and innuendo, ask viewers opinions on issues that aren't even issues, and generally create the news -- not report it. Never let the facts get in the way of a good story. I think this is a result of the in internet providing so much real time news (fact or fiction, take your pick) they are scrambling to stay relevent. Letterman could have done a better job than the Money team.

If you don't send the post to the editors, you should at least point out that it is essentially a reprint of an article from four years ago. No one should get paid for that kind of lazy reporting, even at the paltry wages they get. Oh...did you notice it was a "staff" report? Couldn't even put their names on it. Sheesh.

Hope you survived the monsoon on Sunday! Have a great week!

Do you think they paid Jeff Tompkins for his copyrighted 2005 article since there's no attribution? Just wondering.

Melina, I especially love Item Number 4! There is a whole lot of sloppy reporting going around these days.

Too funny, Melina...and too true!

Marcy somehow I doubt he got paid. They didn't even quote any writers of their article. It was "staff."

Patricia. I think so to, two, 2...dang too.

Funny... But not all media is biased. We have MSNBC to protect us from bias, right?

Hi Melina!
This is a terrific post! May I add "I already have the story...I just want you to confirm it, true or not!"

Melina,

Thanks for making this funny right back at them!

Hi Melina -- Great comeback. I just read their article, there is some truth in there, and also much of it does not apply to a good an ethical agent, which I know many.

Smart Money Magazine needs to spend some time in the Rain getting know a larger sample of agents before generalizing.

I like Paula's addition.

JUL

Where IS that old article from 2005??? Good post - thanks for sharing.

The article in question is a recycled hack job put out by an outfit that spews out content volume to the exclusion of quality. It is no coincidence that the piece is both anonymous and devoid of a comment function.

Number 1 is the biggest one, our media is soo biased right now it is rediculous. There really isn't anywhere to turn these days for truly unbiased reporting, which is very sad.

You pretty much nailed it...however that's what sells magazines, so that's what they do!!

I read the article. The information was like most lies, there was some small amount of truth to some things, but most of it was pure BS or taking stuff out of context.

The comment stream on the article is very interesting as well...seems we are in a "love 'em" or "hate 'em" industry that is fueled by misinformation such as what is in the article. Have I run across some less than stellar agents? You bet, we all have. But I truthfully don't consider that the norm in our business and I was happy to read such a humorous response to it. Well done, Melina. You weren't even mean...

Lisa I tried...maybe if I had suggested that only NOLA agents don't present offers?

I'm trying to decide whether to tell my mailing list about the article and rebut it, or just assume that if they see it they will realize that this is grossly misleading and that we're not all alike. Not all agents are equally knowledgeable and ethical, but it is extremely unfair reporting to generalize from a few bad apple examples that we're all commission driven, deceptive and lazy.

I earn every commission I get and give dedicated loyalty to my client buyers and sellers, representing only one side in a transaction. Many years of training, experience and hard work has earned the good will of many clients, and I'm not an exception. We who do this ethically and conscientiously deserve not to be lumped with the agents in this biased article.

Hi Melina, Great post! I agree, that generalization is not good. these journalist need to research a little more. thanks for sharing!

Wonderful sense of humor there! Too bad you couldn't get to 10 and slam those folks again! Your right though, you had to stop for a sandwich to gather your strength. Those that always protest BIAS are always the most BIASED in the bunch.

Lyn you can't pass up on an uneaten sandwich found under the bed with dust bunnies...some things just have priority.

Melina -- this is a priceless post! Laughed, found it too true, thoroughly enjoyed -- and foind myself wishing for just one truly literate piece of reporting, or journalism, somewhere in the media world! Just one where they said oh BTW, this article is all about my opinion and bias! thanks! well deserved feature!

Good post. But you forgot to add that all contractors are rip off artists, all doctors are quacks and most dentists don't use stainless steel pliers to extract teeth. But I got the message loud and clear nonetheless. Unfortunately true Journalism went out with the Good Humor Man. Now if you tell me you don't know who the Good Humor Man is I'll tell you your age.