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The Realtor® Rights of Passage-A Fun Look at Rookie Stuff

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with RE/MAX Associates 574299

The Realtor® Rights of Passage-A Fun Look at Rookie Stuff

We've all done it...and if you haven't, then I would consider you a prodigy Realtor®...

but for the rest of us...there are some Realtor® rights of passage I think we must go through to learn.  No matter how many times seasoned Realtors® tell Realtorus NOT to do some of these things, we still rush headlong into some of these Rookie mistakes.  So, for a blast from the past, to perhaps help the newbies and hopefully keep them from making the same errors in judgement and just to have some fun, let's revisit some of the good times that wasted gas, time and caused no end to frustrations and most importantly, made our wallets a bit lighter.  

The Pop Tart Agent...

This agent will show homes to anyone who calls at any time of the day.  It doesn't matter where they are and if they need to drive 50 miles..they are dedicated to their craft and you can't sell em a home if you don't show it to them.  They of course ask the questions they are supposed to.  Are you working with another agent?  Are you prequalified through a lender.  Not yet, but as soon as we find out what we want, we will go to the bank.  

Terrific...they show the house, but they are 

Not quite ready yet.
Kind of working with someone right now, but they are on vacation.
Just wanted to see some pretty houses
Are between jobs right now and are looking to the future
Worked at Wendy's for the past 2 years...good employment history and being a good renter should get them into a home right?  

It's All About Trust

Buyer doesn't want to sign the buyer's rep and you don't want to offend the buyer by making them sign an agreement to work with you exclusively.  After all, they will sign one later.  It's all about trust, right?  They trust me and I trust them....ahhh trust.  You spend a month or two (God forbid three), searching high and low for the perfect home for them.  Every time you see something for them, you jot it down.  You have visited hundreds of homes (I hope I am exaggerating here) and none was just right.  That's ok, you'll find it for them.

Then one day, you don't hear from them anymore...they just sort of disappear.  You call, leave messages, send e-mails...and nada.  You feel like some kind of stalker...they just drop off your radar..gone..  

OR

You get a phone call...EUREKA, they have found the one by just going to an open house.  They have signed a contract with the listing agent who promised to let you know....

OR.....

they visited a new home subdivision and FOUND the one!  The salesman was oh so nice and they are so happy....Thanks for all of your help....

Ahhh trust.

The We Will Try Lister

This is for newer listing agents.  You are so excited going to your first listing appointment.  You have prepared.  You have the CMA and are armed to the teeth with your presentation about how you are the best of the bestest listing agent ever.  Never listed a home before,  but mentors just tell you to use the office stats and smile real big...you can do this.  

It works, they love you, on to the pricing...all your info says price it at this, but they want to price higher...like waaay higher.  You don't want to lose the listing so you say, We will try it for a while.  The seller smiles cat like.  They got their way.  You market like you mean it, pictures, flyers, blogging...everything and zero showings.  Nothing.  Sellers call you.  What's the problem?  How come no one is looking at my house?  Well says you, it's priced a bit high.  Let's drop the price.  No, you need to market more says the seller...

So you do, you market harder telling lots more people it's overpriced.  

Months and a few hundred marketing dollars later...they decide they want to rent 

OR

your listing expires and they go with a new agent who lists it at the price you said in the first place...SOLD!  

Ahh, Realtor® rights of passage.  Many mentors and other Realtors® will try to disuade the above practices.  They will warn you and try to keep you from making the same mistakes.  However, newer agents are a lot like teenagers...they just don't BELIEVE you.  It WILL be DIFFERENT for them.  Well, Life will teach you what your Mama didn't......and the above buyers and sellers...well they will teach you what Real Estate School didn't...

Anyone else got any Realtor® rights of passage they want to share :)?  Happy Sunday!

Posted by

Brenda Mullen – San Antonio Texas Real Estate Professional

Brenda Mullen Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent
 
Selling a San Antonio Texas area home involves many steps and having an experienced  San Antonio  Texas Real Estate Agent by your side will make the transaction run a lot smoother. I would love to be your San Antonio Texas Area Real Estate Professional! I assist both buyers and sellers in the San Antonio Texas area with either the purchase and or sale of residential real estate.
 
As an Accredited Buyer’s Agent, I have received special training to guide and educate you through the entire home buying process. From start to finish, I listen to your needs and desires in what you would like and take the information you give me to find you home.
 
As your San Antonio Texas listing agent I am well versed on the local San Antonio Texas area Real Estate Market. You can expect personalized service that includes a detailed consultation on how to best position your home to be competitive in today’s market with an in depth comparative market analysis, and advice on staging. I use the latest and most up-to-date marketing methods to get your home in front of as many buyers as possible. Being your San Antonio Texas area Realtor® not only involves just finding the home or selling the home, but being your guide, negotiator, advisor and advocate and making sure that your needs and goals are met. Being your San Antonio Texas area Realtor® is one of my truest passions, and “Helping You Find Home” is my number one priority.
 
 
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Brenda Mullen
Broker-Associate/Realtor®, ALHS®, MRP®, ABR®, ePro®

Team Leader The Mullen Group with RE/MAX Access - Helping You Find Home
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Comments (42)

Christa Ross
RE/MAX Select Realty - REALTOR and Green Homes Specialist - Pittsburgh, PA
Helping you buy and sell Pittsburgh's Best Homes

Been there, done that. Not anymore!

Jul 29, 2012 09:17 PM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

Over priced listings and showings to buyers that aren't approved?  Sounds like my first year in real estate.  Ha!  I didn't know any better, and  my old broker still does this.  Live and learn.  Great article.  

Jul 29, 2012 09:41 PM
Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

Hi Janis-Yep...I was too :)!

Hi Jane-Could not sell the one I had because they kept refusing to drop the price...grrr.  Not to say that I won't ever take an overpriced listing, however, there will be an agreement that the price will drop in a certain time frame, if not, then I let it go.

Hi Andrea-There is always a positive..isn't there :)?

Hi Tammy-I am pretty sure we all do :)!  It sucks every time too.

Hi Nancy-Exactly...I have a few of those lessons too.

Hi Rich-Experience is the best teacher :)!

Hi Hella-Oral agreements aren't worth the air they are written on lol ;)!

Hi Gary-Ain't it so :)?

Hi Bobby-Exactly :)!

Hi Debbie-I believe every profession has a list :)!

Hi BLiz-No doubt..it's fun to share :)!

Hi Scott-I think most of us fall for it.

Hi Christa-Good :)!  Me either....until it happens again lol :)!

Hi Jared and Amanda-Ha :)!!  Thanks!

 

Jul 29, 2012 09:57 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

So true. Pop Tart? When I ran into new officers in the military who were always jumping up....the term was "spring butt!"  I, like most, have done them all...and learned. Great feature!

Jul 29, 2012 10:12 PM
Shannon Milligan, Richmond VA Real Estate Agent/Associate Broker
RVA Home Team - Richmond, VA
RVA Home Team - Winning with Integrity.

Great tips for the newer agent and even the vet agent who has thrown their business plan out the window when the market wasn't as healthy as it is now becoming. Thank goodness there is a new Virginia agency law where we can't just take people to see a house...must have an agreement signed, even if just for a day!

Jul 29, 2012 10:32 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Brenda, I think we've all been here at one time or another. Newbie agents have to learn these the hard way, its called experience.

Jul 29, 2012 10:39 PM
Pat & Steve Pribisko
Keller Williams Greater Cleveland West - Westlake, OH

A very entertaining post.  and, it's all too true.

Jul 29, 2012 10:55 PM
Charita Cadenhead
eXp Realty - Birmingham, AL
Serving Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Alabama)

Been there and done that and if I were a new agent today with no experience under my belt, I'd probably do it again.  Living, experiencing and learning are the best parts of our lives.  Thank God for the training ground.  I think we can all look back and laugh at ourselves and so will the rookies who may be reading this post.

Jul 29, 2012 11:09 PM
Melissa Marro
Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL
Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging

As a brand new agent I'm hoping I don't make these mistakes and I'll try to bare them in mind while I'm taking out my first sellers and buyers. 

Jul 29, 2012 11:35 PM
Bryan Robertson
Los Altos, CA

We've all made those mistakes and many rookies keep making them.  It's hard to say no when there are commissions at stake.

Jul 29, 2012 11:44 PM
Tatyana Makarov
Century 21 All Points Realty - South Windsor, CT
Your Greater Hartford Area Realtor

Hi, Brenda,

I guess if all Realtors start writing their Journals, they would have almost the same content. :)))

Tatyana

Jul 30, 2012 12:25 AM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

Hi Brenda, you are so looking into my past. The only saving grace is that I am not alone. I wish I had an Active Rain back then to learn better!

Jul 30, 2012 01:04 AM
Evelyn Kennedy
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

Brenda:

I remember as a new agent taking calls from buyers who wanted to see everything in the city. The people were not serious buyers and I was a chauffeur, not an Realtor.  I finally learned my lesson. 

Jul 30, 2012 02:24 AM
Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

Hi Gary-I like the term Spring Butt lol :)!

HI Shannon-That's a good rule :)!

Hi Michael-Haven't we all :)?

Hi Pat and Steve-I strive to entertain :)!

Hi Charita-Experience is the best teacher we have for sure :)!

Hi Melissa-Take heed lol :)!  And if not, then lots of luck!  

Hi Bryan-It is indeed hard...that's why even more experienced agents still make these mistakes.

Hi Tatyana-So true :)!

HI Sandy-I look to my past as well and I HAD AR lol :)!

Hi Evelyn-Been there too :)!

Jul 30, 2012 02:52 AM
Diana Foster
BKG brokerage - Braselton, GA
Realtor- Helping you find the perfect home!!

Live and learn. I quickly made sure buyers were pre approved before I would show any listings. Thanks for posting.

Jul 30, 2012 06:54 AM
Doug Rogers
RE/MAX Coastal Properties - Destin, FL
Your Real Estate Resource!

Sigh, I have made these mistakes (a couple more than once)...

Jul 30, 2012 01:22 PM
Morris Massre
Pembroke Pines, FL
Real Estate Instructor Broward County Florida

You're too funny, but I'm pretty sure it's RITE of passage.

Jul 31, 2012 03:57 AM
Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

Hi Morris- You are absolutely RITE lol :)!  Ooopsss, but ya'll know what I meant lol :)!

Jul 31, 2012 04:51 AM
Jim Palmer
Chipola Realty - Chipley Office (850) 638-2777 - Sunny Hills, FL
Washington County, Florida

Been there...done that...got the bloody T-shirt to prove it.

Still find myself 20 years later sometimes falling into those rookie mistakes...especially the part about trusting a person's word.

Aug 01, 2012 12:01 PM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Brenda,

i missed this wonderful blog when it was published and yes we all have made these mistakes. These days I get a buyers rep or else I do almost nothing.. Too many times I have been burn't by people wanting me to do pro bono work. I find we all learn something new all the time. If not I think one needs to retire or find somenting else to do.

Aug 12, 2012 10:04 AM