The Good And Not So Good Both Start At The Top....With Broker/Owners

HI BARBARA!  Oh I tell ya - there are several agents here that do that and it is so frustrating - not for me - but for the buyer.  It's amazing that these agents think of themselves more than what's best for both sides.  But anyway - as a Broker - I agree with you and Barbara!

Hi Barbara.... Co-operation and networking make our Business Go," United We Stand Divided We Fall"

Cheers, Sell Lots of homes in Franklin this weekend!

Barbara: Unfortunately there is still some of that mentality alive and well...no sense in it (IMO)!

I would much rather have another agent bring the buyer and contract then handling both sides myself although I have but not because I was after selling my own listing. It just happened with all parties aware I worked for the seller. Brokers definitely need to be more hands on which has gotten harder since so many agents do not even come to the brick and mortar office anymore.

I just read the post you referenced above. Reminds me of what happened last week Friday. I was on phones, received a call from a buyer who wanted to see one of our listings in an hour, and got the showing set up. On my way to the showing, the listing agent (who happens to be the "top producer" in our office) left a message on my voicemail that the same buyer had left a message for her a few hours earlier. She missed the call but because this is her listing she will show the house.

Long story short I ended up meeting with her and our Sales Director that afternoon to discuss what happened. The Sales Director agreed that this was a floor call -- the listing agent unfortunately did not return the call quickly enough for the buyer so the buyer moved on to another agent. She also agreed the listing agent should not have made the decision to show the house.

I have had conversations with our SD over the past few months about this agent's behavior and expectation that rules simply do not apply to her. And I was told that she is allowed to do whatever she wants because if we lose her, the office would likely close. I was stunned, to say the least, and am sickened that this sort of behavior is tolerated. Clearly the almighty dollar takes precedence over character and integrity in this case.

ahhhh the brokers pet. A few years ago I had a client who I had helped sell a very difficult lot and was going to be selling her home in another community as well. This community was farmed by a team from my office who told my client that it was better to have two agents working for her than just one, me. When they listed her home I called the client and asked her what happened and she said she felt overwhelmed by them and before she knew it she had signed the agreement. When I told my broker he would not do anything unless I dragged my client into the middle of it which I did not want to do. It was not her problem it was ours. I was aghast at what they had done and later found out they had done similar things to other agents without even a nod from the broker. Unsettling and disheartening for sure.  

Barbara- I am not so sure it is not the same in other offices from what I hear through the grapevine. Sad but true. I have thought about it though and may be doing so soon. Will let you know. :0)

Sometimes, the "greedy" broker is the owner!

Selecting the best agents to work in your office is a great task.  I'd rather have a few great agents, than a whole lot of agents waiting with their hands out for leads.  Not being a "greedy broker" is easy when you have good agents around you.

I have a tough time understanding the mentality of this kind of greedy broker. We're all better when we work together. Good post.

Broker's pets as Martha mentioned above completely disgust me.  Years ago when I was a newer agent and easily intimidated by my broker, I actually had two listings taken from me. One was given to another agent in the office who knew the seller's son and was the broker's pet. The other listing, a laundry mat, was given to an agent she was recruiting to the office. The seller actually wanted to work with me but my broker and her son pretty much intimidated her into going with the other agents. I lost all trust in that brokerage and all the broker's associated with it after that. As soon as I was able, I moved. My current broker is very trustworthy, has high integrity and I am very happy.