When I was sitting (10 years) on grievance and professional standard panels and committees as well as being a presiding judge, in addition to learning and enhancing my own personal journey I became very much aware of others who either did not know, or did not care in regards to Real Estate licensing and procedures when practicing their trade
WHERE'S THE BROKER?
One thing that stood out for me and others when attending a hearing was: Where was the Broker during all this? There was an obvious point in the accusation where if addressed, would have gone no further. The Broker, if reviewing and coaching as well as guiding was there, the buck stops there
PROBLEM PREVENTION
What I often saw was no Broker involvement at the potential error entry point & as the transaction worsened thus running a course that ended up in a hearing, mediation, arbitration and litigation as well. It was obvious too requiring no analysis but instead begging the question of...Where is the Broker?
BROKER-BACK-UP?
In cases where the accused was trying to re-tread the water of which they already were drowning in, the Broker would attend the hearings but offer no insight, explanation or present a procedure of what was needed to not be here but instead, defend the aftermath. Reactive instead of proactive is what I saw
BROKERS
Brokers come in all types. There are the letter of the law, the controlling, the indifferent, the I want my share, I want more than my share, call me if there is a problem, don't bother me, the blamer, the rules can be bent this once as well as counselors, coaches, trainers, supervisors, mentors and facilitators
BROKER METHODS
We know all are held to a licensing standard or no license is granted. So what is required, what is to be practiced and what we all agreed should and would take place is upfront and known. Its after that...that the license falls into the hands of the individual practitioner & his or her beliefs. Their business model
BROKER BACK-UP?
That's where all the different beliefs & personalities go to work & some people push their question-ables to the limit, or fore-go the training or become complacent especially if they have an agent that churns & burns income for the Brokerage. Others go numb or drift for one reason or another
BROKER BUCK STOPS THERE
It is no accident that the Bureau of Real Estate holds the Broker responsible in all cases and situations with very little exceptions. A Broker cannot say I didn't know without risking their integrity, credibility and license by doing so. The rule is: The Broker has to know always, without fail or who will?
BROKER EXCEPTIONS
Now if an agent is robbing banks in the morning, and sitting in the office doing floor time in the afternoon, and the police bust in and make an arrest, the Broker can say with immunity, I didn't know what they did on their own time. However, mistreating people under a license makes it Broker business
BROKER RESOLUTION
I have only had to call a Broker once and that was because the agent refused to listen, comment or address serious issues that required resolution. Rather than argue, a quick call to the Broker for help and assistance makes sense and is also the legal precedent to follow. This Broker stepped-up & resolved
BROKER
I have seen in those hearings that I mentioned earlier where Brokers fail to mitigate, argue and even accuse and actually fuel the problems with both Broker sides employing threats and intimidation's as a solution. When both Brokers break down, a hearing here we come.
CLIENT CONTROL
What irks me above all else is that they drag their clients, principals & investors into the fray making for a bad experience for them and exposing them to the less than honorable ways of the business. I have also seen where clients demand satisfaction by forcing a hearing. Where is the client control I wonder?
BROKER COACHING AND GUIDING
Agents are hired for a reason. They should be available, customer service oriented, experienced and practice explicit fiduciary for the public who hires them. Brokers should support that first and foremost and reign in any rogue agent or educate an ignorant one if they are working under that license
BROKER ON DECK
People who do business in such a way where things are contested, questioned or ignored and who are licensed remain the first to be scrutinized when something doesn't go quite right. Brokers, man you stations and man it well OR...it can all fall down
Comments(23)