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How Did Real Estate Agents Get Such a Bad Reputation?

By
Real Estate Agent with Hoang Realty

How Did Real Estate Agents Get Such a Bad Reputation?

I received a very nice comment on my post I’m Serving Gratitude for my Thanksgiving from Russell Lewis that really got me thinking. I had made this post a Members Only, simply because sharing some personal medical issues with over 196,000 people seemed more tolerable to my mind than sharing them with the WHOLE WORLD, but Russell commented that I “should make this a public post(s) because it shows our profession to be much more caring and giving than the general public realizes!”

Here is where I started thinking.

Why do Real Estate Agents have such a bad reputation?

Of course, I Googled it.

I found a blog matrix from 2009 by Jonathan Miller of a Harris Interactive poll on prestigious occupations, and yep, there we are…the very last on the list. (On this list Firefighters are #1 with 62% Very Great Prestige and Real EstateAgent/Broker on the bottom with only 5% Very Great Prestige.)

More research led to: You Mean Real Estate Agents Have an Image Problem?, Nine Ways a Bad Real Estate Agent Can Cost You Money, Really Great News For Us…Not For Agents With Bad Reputations, On Bad Real Estate Agents, How to Spot a Bad Real Estate Agent, and Top Five Signs of A Bad Real Estate Agent to name just a few sites that I found.

Where I stopped looking was when I came across this gem: How to Chose a Good Real Estate Agent, by Jeff Ostroff. This is my personal favorite, I think, because Jeff Ostroff, in an effort to instill credibility to his ‘bad agent” claims, points to “a movie that accurately portrays a large number of people in the Real Estate Agent industry, “ Glengarry Glen Ross. This movie, to my knowledge, is a work of fiction…and as I have always pointed out to my children movies are just movies…things made for our entertainment and not always true to life.

Many of the articles I came across were written by people in the Real Estate industry.  Hmmm.  (Do we really need to gain a competitive edge by dissing each other?)

Every article I came across either implied or stated outright that we (Real Estate Professionals – sorry, Charita) are bad! BAD, BAD, BAD! We work for commissison! (Gasp!) We only get paid when a house sells! (Double gasp!) We’re SALESPEOPLE! (OMG!!!)

And you know, some of these statements are correct. As real estate agents, we do work for commission. AND we do only get paid when a sale is finalized. And, yes, by definition we are salespeople, because we SELL houses. I will acknowledge that there are even unethical and/or unknowledgable people in the real estate industry, but can anyone name one industry that does not have some bad apples? Do we state that ALL medical professionals are bad because someone has had a negative experience with one doctor? How about ALL attorneys? Are they all bad? The answer is a resounding NO! One bad apple does not spoil the whole bunch.

The same is true for the Real Estate industry.

In my experience most Real Estate Professionals (sorry again, Charita!!!) are human like everyone else…just trying to do the best they can to do a good job and make a living. We have children in college or younger, mortgages, bills, medical issues, and the vast majority of us are not millionaires. We take out loans for cars, we carry credit card debt, we suffer divorces and deaths in our families. We are JUST LIKE YOU. We have chosen Real Estate as a profession not to get rich quick, but because we love it and we love HELPING PEOPLE. We are ethical, honest, trustworthy, fair, knowledgable, and hardworking. And we strive to do the very best we can for each and every one of our clients.

So, my message is this: please don’t judge us so quickly. Everyone, everywhere has had a bad experience with something or someone…and it is human nature to share these negative experiences with the world.  I truly believe that the vast majority of people in my industry will always give the very best they can every single time, for every single client.

One bad apple does not spoil the whole bunch.

Posted by

                                

 

 

                                  

Lisa Hicks

MaineRealtor®  Hoang Realty

yourmaineoasis@gmail.com

(207) 592-5374

www.yourmaineoasis.com

Search Maine Real Estate Here

 

                 

****************************************************************************

 

Serving the Maine counties of Kennebec, Waldo, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Cumberland and Androscoggin.

 

Information and content in this blog is original to Lisa Hicks.   Copyright © 2017 by Lisa Hicks

Comments (43)

Andrew Martin
REMAX Accord - San Ramon, CA
I completely agree with Mike #24. In my opinion, it's mostly justified.
Nov 29, 2010 02:58 PM
Scott Hayes
(512) 786-8300 - Austin, TX
Realty Austin, Broker Associate

Lisa,

 

Couldn't say it any better myself. And then you had to go and include one of my favorites- Glengary Glen Ross. Started writing a blog about this a few days ago.

 

 

Nov 29, 2010 03:22 PM
Chris Olsen
Olsen Ziegler Realty - Cleveland, OH
Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate

Hi Lisa -- I think it is consumers who hold us (collectively) in such low esteem that we ought to really (again...collectively) chew on that and see how that can be addressed, as there is only one way to go, and that's up, from the public's perception.  I am not saying all agents are bad, there are some great ones, but unfortunately, there are not so great ones.  Since good news spreads ever so slowly and bad news spreads like wildfire, it's no wonder why we are in the shape we are in. 

One could easily point to all sorts of things that could be improved, but I think leadership starts at the top, and without it, stuff just flows downhill.  From the bottom up is where I see innovation in our industry, and hopefully, over time, as paradigms shift, new business models emerge, etc., that this industry will rely less on legacy and more on current innovation and a true meritocracy will emerge and much of this largely fall by the wayside.  It make take a few decades, but then again, look how fast Google was created and flourished.

Nov 29, 2010 03:22 PM
Kerry Lucasse
eXp Realty - Urban Nest Real Estate Group - Atlanta, GA
Your Urban Nest Atlanta Real Estate Consultant

I love that you went out and Googled the phrase!  The perceptions are amazing -- I know there are a few bad apples that spoil things for the good (and excellent) agents, but I'm sure that there are a few bad apples in the top-ranking professions as well?

Nov 29, 2010 03:57 PM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

I'm with Kerry #29 - What a great idea to Google the phrase!  I do think that we came by our reputations the old fashioned way - we earned them. I wrote a blog recently about how we have hundreds of agents chasing just a few transactions and I quoted an agent who said that he "didn't know who he was anymore."  Apparently he had gotten so used to telling people what they wanted to hear - he couldn't have found the truth if it bit him in the backside.  Then people wonder why we are not respected? HUH???

Nov 29, 2010 04:59 PM
Anna Tolstoy
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Natick, MA

Lisa, excellent post! 

The main problem as I see it: real estate transaction is a MAJOR transaction, that happens just a few times for many people over the course of life. Plus, too much is at stake. All your savings are exposed, so to speak. That's why it's a very hard experience to realize, that the agent who was supposed to help you, didn't do his / her job well. It's much easier to excuse and forget minor things - bad service at a hotel, bad food at a restaurant, bad hair cut and even bad flight. 

SO yes, what we can do is change the perception one client at a time, one deal at a time... I

Nov 29, 2010 05:27 PM
Terrylynn Fisher
Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA
HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.

"Every single time for every single client"...you hit the nail on the head...How do you like them apples?

Good post.  THANKS, have to go read the other one now. 

Nov 29, 2010 07:21 PM
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist
Just made 10 pts on #33 SPAM. It could be that we set ourselves up from the begining by working only for commission. This often has many practicioners with lots of hours invested and from this , many deal very differently with the public.
Nov 29, 2010 08:50 PM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

I once did a little research of my own on mortgage officers.  Now THERE'S a profession that gets a lot of respect and everyone loves ... cough cough.  But my little research project was conducted in a photo site.  Searched the site for pictures of loan officers.  Good God!  The pictures that came up!  Photos of con artists, people throwing money around, worse!  There were nice pictures too, but there were enough of the more sordid pics that I got the message that they were conveying.  So ... I totally understand where your little search took you.

To be honest, I look around and see loan officers of every type and every level of professionalism, just as I'm sure you do with realtors.  And as you state ... every profession in general.  The question is ... how do we address those individuals that grossly or poorly represent our professions?  What are the penalties for doing a poor job?  Until we get that little matter cleared up and are more willing to clear our membership/professions of ill-prepared and less-than-honorable conductors of business ... we will continue to suffer from a poor public perception on the whole as a real estate industry. Your post gets the discussion rolling, which is wonderful.  Will our industry follow up with any action?

Gene

Nov 29, 2010 09:06 PM
Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA
Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

Money and greed. . .brings the worst on some people. . 

I have control of my own reputation and I hold it dearly everyday

Nov 29, 2010 10:06 PM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

Though Glengarry Glen Ross may be a work of fiction, it's a good example of art imitating life. I admit that I do not know the solution but with a turn over rate (at least in Austin) of around 70% every two years, the situartion is not likely to improve.

Like many of my collegues I try to be the exception to the bad reputation and after the initial period of adjustment, my clients are happy to find that I am not what they may have thought of in a negative way about my industry.

Nov 30, 2010 12:13 AM
Lisa Hicks
Hoang Realty - Augusta, ME
Serving Central and Southern Maine

THIS is what Activerain is really about!!!  Conversation!  I love all the responses to my post - THANK YOU!  We need to create more conversations like this - the more we talk amongst ourselves about the kind of image we want to portray to the public, the more awareness we will create.

@Laurie - "acting" different is what is going to count...I agree we just keep moving forward and it will, eventurally, count.

@Wallace - it amazes me how long peoples' memories can be about some things and then so short about other things...

@Jim - I agree with you completely.  We are responsible for our own reputations.

@Karen - I hope you corrected their notion!!!  I wouldn't have been able to keep my mouth shut if I heard someone say that!

@Debbie - you're right, it does apply to salespeople in general.

@Cinnamon - one client at a time...:D

@Tish - it's like bad news on TV...bad news sells, good news doesn't.  Why is that????

@Kristen - "one bad apple don't spoil the whole bunch, girl"...LOL  What's wrong with the Osmonds?

@Carra - I agree that we must police our own industry. 

@Russell - I think houses sell themselves.  But, by definition, we are "salespeople."  I am an advisor, negotiator, mediator, listener, problem solver, and solution provider.  I am also a home stager, photographer, marketer, advertiser.  You are definitely right about the perceived "big dollars" we receive when a sale closes.  How many other professions are there where it is necessary to front ones own time and MONEY before actually getting paid?

@Eric - people have long memories sometimes.  I agree; we can lead only by our example.

@Betsy - this is what I think we really are - a service industry. 

@Justin - you're right, the public doesn't. 

@Darrel - yes, there are bad people in every profession.  But when I look around I don't see them everywhere.

@Karen - so true.  Real Estate transactions for many, many people are very emotional.  And its human nature to share bad experiences.

@Ellie - bingo!  I was waiting for someone to mention that how we promote ourselves in this industry add to the problem.

@Vickie - actions always speak the loudest.

@Shirley - I agree that we need to stay educated.  But this alone will not help to improve our image.

@Nick - salespeople in general do have a negative reputation. 

@Mike - hmmm.  I am curious.  You say you've had dealings with many bad agents.  Did you share with the agents why you felt the contact was negative? 

@Lane - I think we, as individuals, calling our peers out in public would make the problem worse. The Realtor Boards have to do it, just like the medical boards do for doctors.

@Andrew - to say it's mostly justified does not address the problem.  How do you deal with it when you encounter it - that's what matters.

@Scott - you have given me a great compliment!  Thank you!

@Chris - one of the reasons I wrote this post is to generate conversation around the topic.  I agree - leadership does start at the top - but who says we can not all be leaders in how we behave?

@Kerry - I love to Google stuff to see what pops up!

@Ruthmarie - here is another Bingo!  We compete against each other.  "Look at me!  I'm the best!  I'll do a better job than the last guy!"  Here, again, is the question I asked in my post: Do we really need to gain a competitive edge by dissing each other? 

@Anna - it's very emotional for most people.  And everytime high emotions are involved there is the probablity of intentions being misconstrued.

@ Terrylynn - thanks!  Love them apples!  LOL

@Michael - good for you!  I feel kind of honored that I got spammed.  LOL

@Gene - I am so excited that my post started so much conversation!!!  Because maybe the answer is as simple as COMMUNICATION. 

@Fernando - yes, money and greed often bring out the worst in people, but that is not exclusive to real estate.

 

Nov 30, 2010 12:56 AM
Lisa Hicks
Hoang Realty - Augusta, ME
Serving Central and Southern Maine

@Russell - yes, art does frequently imitate life, but it is just a SLICE of life and not the entirety.

Nov 30, 2010 12:59 AM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

The point is that they don't publically sanction agents...  And how much does it suck to see a listing where the agent shot crappy pictures with the cell phone, listed the driections as "Mapquest" and had almost nothing to say in the comments... knowing that we have NO way (even through the associations) to tell that client that they are getting screwed if the agent is planning on charging them... 

And we are all seen as the same.  We are the least among us.

Nov 30, 2010 02:27 PM
Charles Edwards Bentonville
Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney & Faucette 479-253-3796 - Bentonville, AR
AR REALTOR, Bentonville Real Estate Agent and Broker

Lisa, Excellent post and responses. Wow.

Let's just say the problem is with the heart of mankind. Seriously! It has to do with human nature. People like to bitch. They especially like to bitch about fees and ours seen huge on a settlement statement. Funny how they forgot they tortured us and ran us ragged for months on end without so much as a thank you...oops. I'm bitching.

Nov 30, 2010 02:48 PM
John MacArthur
Century 21 Redwood - Washington, DC
Licensed Maryland/DC Realtor, Metro DC Homes

Lisa... unfortunately, the truth is found in the survey. Agents are held in low esteem. I sometimes think that there is a direct correlation between how high the barrier is to enter a field and how high the subsequent esteem for the profession is rated. Then I think of Attorneys and realize that the requirements to enter a field are not the only yardstick.  Then I thought well maybe the relationship has something to do with need. Then I remembered Doctors and how the public feels about them (we've all sat in a waiting room for hours beyond our appointment time). So I pondered it a bit more and thought maybe it had to do with the vast sums of money that can be earned. Opps, I immediately thought of Albert Haynesworth and Terrell Owens.

          I finally settled on trust. Of course, politicians came to mind, but then I realized most of them are attorneys and are paid vast sums of money by special interest groups. 

          No, it is a bit deeper than trust. I think it comes down to fear of being taken advantage of. Our clients have few of the facts behind our profession. They usually only have the crap shared by the NAR. The only proof of our worth comes after the sale. We have only done our job when the transaction settles. There are so many bumps in the road, that prospects jump often and have little good to say about the agent that was trying to help them. The image is compounded when the new agent speaks in negative terms about the prior agent. It is not a pretty picture. Pogo said it best.

 

Dec 13, 2010 05:31 AM
Anonymous
Baloney

Any of you agents who know anything about anything you would know that InterNachi is nothing but a diploma mill.

Don't forget about that other over touted fraud title CMI (Cert. Master Inspector) which is nothing more than a title being sold at $1000  a pop. No audit of the info the member submits and no police background checks as indicated on the CMI website.

Just look who makes up the board of CMI, more cronies of InterNachi buddies list.

Even other members of InterNachi question the dubious title CMI.

At InterNachi we make pigs fly!

Agents do your homework, save your client from fraud and baloney.

InterNachi where anything flies if your stupid enough to believe it.

May 11, 2012 09:14 PM
#46
Lisa Hicks
Hoang Realty - Augusta, ME
Serving Central and Southern Maine

@ Baloney - it sounds like you had a bad experience with a home inspector?  I'm sorry if you did, and hopefully it wasn't up here in Maine.  Thanks for reading my post and commenting.

May 12, 2012 12:25 AM
Anonymous
Baloney

Nope not a bad inspection, just savvy to the home inspection business for over 20 years.

May 12, 2012 08:47 AM
#48
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

They should have a show called 'Bad Agents gone Wild'. We can share many stories that good agents have lived to tell about bad agent experiences. Not everyone can be a good Realtor.

Mar 09, 2015 07:42 PM