Those of you who read my most recent post know that I am going to be purchasing a puppy this year. It occurred to me while doing my research that the process of selecting a breeder is similar to the process of 
choosing a real estate agent. Here are the similarities:
Most buyers or sellers of real estate will go through a similar process:
- They will ask friends, neighbors or colleagues for recommendations
- They will search the internet and real estate websites for more information
- They will look for an agent who provides service before, during and after the sale
- They will read references/testimonials from past clients
- They will speak or meet with an agent in person and ask tons of questions
During my research, one thing became very clear. I would not, under any circumstances, purchase my puppy from a puppy mill. For those who don't know what a puppy mill is, it is defined as "a large scale dog breeding facility that operates under substandard breeding conditions." Dogs who are bred in puppy mills are usually "kept in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions and do not receive adequate food, water or veterinary care."
Puppies acquired from puppy mills tend to have issues not typically found in puppies acquired from reputable breeders, such as genetic health problems, behavior problems and socialization issues. In addition, the puppy may be sold as a purebred dog, when in fact it is not. You are paying a high price (have you seen the prices of puppies these days?) and not getting what you paid for. Finally, there are no guarantees...you buy the puppy and you never hear from the so-called breeder again.
In real estate, there are plenty of agents who deal either in very high volume and/or provide substandard service. Buyers and sellers who don't do the research or ask enough questions before they choose an agent run the risk of choosing someone who will not properly represent them. The agent or company may treat them like a number because they deal in volume; selling many properties each year. As a result, the client may not receive adequate service before, during or after the sale. In short, the client may not get what they paid for...a "healthy" transaction and quality representation.
Are high volume agents and discount real estate brokers the puppy mills of the real estate business? That's not for me to say. It is certainly possible to have a good experience with both high volume agents and discount real estate brokers just as it is possible to purchase a healthy puppy from a puppy mill.
Buying a puppy, and purchasing or selling a home, are very important decisions that you will have to live with for many years. Are you willing to take that risk?
I'm not a high volume agent and I'm not a discount broker. You can rely on me for quality, personal and professional representation before, during and after the sale...in Lake Zurich and throughout the Northwest Suburbs of Illinois.
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Kelly, having tried to find a dog breeder on the Internet when I got Willie the hyperactive-Labradoodle puppy, I think it's safe to say that it can be difficult to make the distinctions online between a reputable breeder (this place was) and a puppy mill. And I thing the same can be said of looking for a Realtor online. I checked out a bunch of Labradoodle sites then called people I knew who were plugged into the doggie thing. Willie came from a huge farm where he spent his first six months chasing squirrels and cats. Some of my neighbors had dealt with them. They had a good reputation. I found their web site after talking to some other people.
Most of my clients find me the same way - word of mouth, then I send them to my site. It's working pretty well!