Should Realtors Be Required To File Complaints On Fellow Real Estate Agents?

I go out of my way when representing a valued Client whether it be a Buyer or Seller to give good customer service to the Realtors I must cooperate with when I’m trying to assist them in selling their listing, or when they are trying to help me sell mine.

No matter how they’re treating me, I always strive to treat them better than they’re treating me. 99% of the time I encounter cooperating Agents who make me proud of their professional manners in a transaction.

This past week though I was tested by some poor behavior I encounter once in a while.

It is a reality 99% of my listings sell with the help of another Agent.  It is like committing business suicide when an Agent tries to block my touring their listing with my valued Buyer.  How they do this is by just simply ignoring my tour request repeatedly.  They hope my valued Buyer will want the house so much; they’ll contact the Listing Agent directly, and give them their loyalty to get the house.  This way they can possibly earn more money from the sale of the home his way. 

Buyers and Sellers beware Agents who do this are simply deceitful.  They ignore honoring our Code of Ethics on so many levels, ultimately hurting the image of Realtors.  Please know if they are willing to comprise required cooperation, they will compromise honesty and fairness in representing you. 

As a Seller you will know they’re doing this shameful form of business when they’re the only Agent touring your home with Buyers. This may impress you, but please know their personal tours is just the tip of the iceberg.  You need to know your home is being denied far more possible tours by Agents representing qualified, motivated Buyers.  

As a Buyer, you will recognize this pitiful practice in action when your Agent has made repeated request to tour a home you desire with no confirmation. Please be very careful when you elect to call the List Agent directly out of frustration.  Know it is no reflection on how your Agent is representing you.  An Agent engaging in his horrible practice will try to convince you it is in your best interest to have them represent you to the Seller.  They may claim they will help you get a better deal on the home, and they just may.  The risk to you is their motive is for selfish gain of earnings.  Selfish people always compromise honesty and fairness.  I guarantee somewhere in the transaction you will end up upset because you gave your trust to someone who really does not care about your best interest.

It bothers me to air the rare dirty laundry of my industry I love. I always have the option of reporting bad behavior to a few different authorities governing our conduct, and license. I much prefer to deal with the Agent directly by informing them I know what you’re doing, and it is just a matter of time before another Colleague gets irritated with you and reports your lack of professional standards.  I believe the most power action I can take is to publish for the Consumer’s protection.

Below, my respected Colleague raises the good question about immediately reporting bad behavior. It saddens me my industry I love does have some “cut-throat activity.”