The 2006 Harris Poll revealed that 20% of the respondents distrust real estate agents.  Often times, this distrust stems from a cannibalization of the profession by shortsighted representatives searching to make money without having to work for it.  Occasionally, a particular display of ignorance will cause the animosity to grow.  As defenders of our industry, we must act quickly and decisively to eliminate injustices to protect ourselves and to protect our profession.  Sometimes, as citizens, we must act to protect humanity. She Said What???

An agent asked how to handle a situation where he stumbled across a competing agent's derogatory comments about a minority group on MySpace.  In addition to bashing people who aren't like her, the author advertises herself and the brokerage she works for on her page. 

By converting her ignorant thoughts into written words, she has committed an offense against

  • The targeted group,
  • Her broker,
  • Agents in her office, and
  • The real restate profession as a whole (including you and I).

My simple command of the English language prevents me from expressing the disgust that I feel toward this unknown writer.  Discrimination arises solely from ignorance.  For her to associate my self, my friends, and my profession with her ignorance is an assault on things that I hold dear.

So, my answer to this blogger and to all others who encounter similar situations is as follows,

  • We must seek JusticeYou must send her writings to her Broker.  The Broker deserves the opportunity to protect his/her agency by dismissing the agent.
  • You must forward her comments to her fellow agents.  They too need to disassociate themselves from the writer.  They too deserve an opportunity to protect the integrity and reputation that they have built for themselves.
  • You must submit the writings to the ethics board.  These posts cannot be allowed to be perceived as a reflection of Realtors.  As it is, 20% of people distrust real estate agents.  This is a perception (equals reality) that only we can change.  Taking action here is a step towards changing perception.  Inaction is the equivalent of adding your name to the post.

As I offered in my comments on the post, if my demands make you uncomfortable, send me the information and I'll take care of the problem.  My name is at stake here as well.  And my name, as Andrew Lenza so eloquently wrote, is

"a name my children are going to borrow and pass along to my grandchildren like my dead relatives did before them. See, you don't own your name. You're borrowing it. You do own your actions, though."

This Doesn't WorkI leave with a call to action for all who read this.  Regardless of the characteristics that separate us, our unifying responsibility is to leave this world better than we found it.  My children and yours deserve the opportunity to play, to grow, to learn, and to live in a world free from the sins of their fathers.  So, make the right choice and take action where you see injustices.

 

5 Comments on We must protect the Real Estate Industry from ourselves

Erik - I agreed with you except the 2nd item - why is it anyone's 'duty' to pass along her misguided and ignorant opinions to other agents so they can what - ostrasize her as well.  Perhaps this person's opinions come from a long line of ignorance and it is a call for help???????  Judge not, lest ye be judged...help those that seem uncertain how to help themselves!

04/24/2008 09:28 PM by Nathan Scott (TBD)


I always feel puszzled why people often feel attacked. The quote from Andrew Lenza pertains to us as citizen, not as Realtors and real estate licensees, who are not Realtors.

Why woyuld you subject personal blogs to ethics board? Don't you see a witch hunt here?

Also, "competing agent's derogatory comments about a minority group on MySpace". If the derogatory comment is made about the majority group, would it be OK? And if yes, what's wrong with minority group. Can someone not like Russians, or Polish, or Koreans and not be reported?

Does the doctor has to like Chinese to operate on them? No, he would do a nice professional job, because he is a professional and is paid for handling people faily and professionally. But he does not have to love them.

There are certain obligations and certain laws to how we operate, but not how we think, and what we do in our spare time. If this is the country of free, why the word free makes so many uncomfortable?

Or do you suggest that political correctnes is the only way of seeing the world? As for 20%, this is a darn good number. This number will be increasing very quickly. Not because of the unscrupulous agents, not because of ignorants, but because people have access to information, and Realtors used to control it. So, it is simply logical that with access and knowledge, they do not need us as they used to. Not that they loved us before, but they did not have a choce. Now they have. And you see the results.

04/24/2008 09:35 PM by Jon Zolsky (FunCoast Realty LLC)


Nathan - My point is that she is representing the agents in her office and they have a right to know who she is doing it.  How do they react to a customer sho says, "Oh, you work in the office where they discriminate against ____?"

04/24/2008 09:56 PM by Erik Hitzelberger, --Louisville-Bullitt County Real Estate (RE/MAX Alliance)


Jon - I would subject personal blogs to Ethics boards when the blogger advertises himself or herself a professional on that blog.  Following your example, do you not think that it would a problem for a doctor to write derogatory comments about Chinese people on a blog in which she advertises the hospital that she works for?  What about a judge who writes articles deriding Russians?  They may be fair and professional on the job, but do they not also represent their associates?  Do they not also damage the perception of their profession?

I, most certainly, believe that we are free to have and espouse any opinion that we want as long as you are not associating your views with anyone else.  In this case, I believe that she is degrading all of us by making comments on a real estate related page.

I agree with your point that people have access to more information and therefore think that they do not need us as much.  However, the word DISTRUST is what bothers me.  I have all of the information that I need to prepare my own taxes.  But, I still trust my accountant. 

Lastly, I chose to use 'minority group' instead of the specific group in question as a means of broadening the scope of my comments.  As you pointed out, this was a poor choice of words since I was still limiting.  Attacking any group, while representing others who do not share your views, is unacceptable. 

04/24/2008 10:19 PM by Erik Hitzelberger, --Louisville-Bullitt County Real Estate (RE/MAX Alliance)


Hi Erik...You have raised an interesting topic here.  Perhaps to some your presentation may seem a bit harsh.  However, your intent is to be commended.  Our behavior does reflect on others and the closer the affiliation the more it does.

My mind has problems understanding how anyone can dislike or feel superior to any other ethnic, race or religious group. 

Kathleen

05/05/2008 06:18 AM by Kathleen "Kate" Elim, LAKE ANNA, VA Real Estate (RE/MAX Lake & Country)


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