As reported recently in the Toronto Star news paper, the head lines read; Top Realtor slams 'Indifferent Agents' the article went on to say:
The Canadian real estate industry has too many poorly performing and under qualified agents who are tarnishing the profession, says a prominent real estate industry executive Michael Polzler, executive vice-president and regional director of ReMax, Ontario Atlantic Canada.
"Our industry is overrun by indifferent agents who lack the knowledge and experience to service their clients adequately."
"The ease at which they can hang a shingle and tarnish our profession is astounding ... Truth be known, we'd all benefit from an industry overhaul," said Michael Polzler.
Polzler's comments, sent in a letter to industry leaders last month, have become controversial since organized real estate is already under siege in Canada from a high profile investigation by the Federal Competition Bureau.
This kind of frank talk by a leading Realtor is all the more remarkable because Polzler is one of the leaders of the industry and responsible for day-to-day management of the ReMax brand in Ontario.
Since writing the letter, Polzler said he has gotten mostly positive feedback from the industry on his website. He also stated that about one in five Realtors failed to sell a home on the Toronto Real Estate Board, adding that more than half of all agents fail to sell at least one home per quarter.
Many Realtors approach the job as a part-time profession, which can be detrimental to the business, said Polzler. "It is far too easy to get a license today."
Back in the U.S., most real estate agents are independent contractors not employees. As such, the brokerage holding their license is restricted by law on how much the company can dictate standards to an independent contractor. Is this an issue for the state licensing agency, do we need to raise the bar or is it not an issue at all.
Is this also a problem in the U.S., more specifically in your state? This is a hot topic to be sure. What do you think as a Realtor or consumer? We would love to hear your opinion.
Dave Tipton has been a real estate broker in the State of Florida since 1986 and is responsible for the day to day operations of Florida's Beautiful Homes- Realtors.
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