Special offer

Do all agents really hate other agents?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Godzyk Real Estate Services NH License 033394

Such harsh language you must be thinking? No, not from me. I had an appointment to list a Manchester NH area home For Sale over the weekend. I was the last agent of many to interview with the seller. After touring the home, the seller got right down to business asking why agents "hate" other agents?

 

First off that is not true, but before i could offer my opinion. Mrs. Seller told me who they interviewed and that the first agent on her list, spent their appointment time bashing everyone she told her was also coming to interview. She rambled off the negatives she had been told. The Seller then stated "we had you come even though you are an independent agent, how can you match xxxx "I will not name their franchise". Mr. Seller spoke up saying every agent before me had a sales pitch of how their franchise was the greatest. 

 

I knew my time may be brief and I wanted to tell them what i could do to sell their home. I started by telling them what sets agents apart is service. I offer full service which simply means i am there for them through out every step of the selling process. I went right into what i liked about their home, and how i would feature it in my marketing.

 

 

I saw a frown go to a smile as I went over pricing. I went over who the most potential buyers may be and how i will attract them to see their home. I did not say one bad thing about that agent and their company. Then Mr. Seller asked what i had to say about the other companies. I had nothing to say. I let my service speak for me. I could sense Mr. Seller had already been swayed by the negative talk. He started drilling me on the differences between myself and big national companies. Mrs. Seller tried to stay on topic of listing the home, but he was off the tracks.

 

I answered each and every question. I did not need a national team. I was born and raised in this area. I have listed and sold homes here since I was 18, that is 32 years. I know the neighborhoods, schools, sports, music, cheer, churches and shopping areas. I do not need to knock down others, I go out and get the job done. I even added that I have a great relationship with many of the local buyer brokers because i treat them with respect. In addition that buyer agents love bringing buyers to my listings because they know they can reach me if needed. They know i will return their call or email. They know I make their job easier by having my listings ready to sell limiting surprises. 

 

Mrs. Seller wanted to list with me, Mr. Seller was a mix of angry, sad and sarcastic. He wants to wait. 

 

I thanked them for having me over and Mr. Seller whispers to Mrs. Seller that he could not even rattle me.

 

 

I leave you with my infamous saying. There is a difference from agent to agent.  That a Buyer or Seller should not choose just any agent, choose the BEST agent for the job. Choose a better agent for better results.

 

My philosophy is simple, provide more personal and professional service to guide my clients through each step of the buying or selling process. All Agents are not created equal and every buyer or seller should take the time to hire the BEST not just the biggest. Those that hire me, find a dedication like no other.

 

To CONTACT Scott Godzyk please call 603.661.2121 or EMAIL: Sctprop@aol.com .

 

About the Author: Scott Godzyk is the Owner/Broker of the Godzyk Real Estate Services in Manchester NH. Proud to be locally owned and operated with 32 years of experience, Scott is a leading Agent for Listing and Selling Homes in this area.We are Full Time Agents ready to serve all of your Real Estate needs. Servicing Hillsborough, Rockingham, Merrimack and Belknap counties. 

 

    

Comments (152)

Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Patricia Feager some where and some how this is getting lost. We are flooded in new agents, mega companies and some days it is like a free for all. I do me and in nearly every day, do not even cross the path of an agent like this. In this case i wanted to write about it and share, as 1 time is too many

Jan 30, 2018 07:17 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

You handled yourself with dignity and respect, and you SHOULD get the listing. There IS a difference in the Realtor you choose. :)

Jan 30, 2018 08:03 AM
Susan Hale
Re/Max Realty of Defiance,Inc. - Defiance, OH
Re/Max Northwest Ohio Realtor

Attention grabbing title, Scott.   Our MLS prints an activity ranking list and thankfully our office is at the top of the list which verifies that our Re/Max agents are deligent/intelligent/experienced Realtors earning positive results. Some of my good friends are Realtors from our local Realtor board.   Negative talk creates negativity.  Our office is franchise related but we also are locally involved in our community.  

Did you get the listing??

Jan 30, 2018 08:19 AM
Marti Steele Kilby, CRS
Steele Group Realty - La Mesa, CA
Broker/Owner, San Diego, CA

As an independent broker I too have faced questions about my ability to successfully market a home as compared to the resources of a large franchise.  In this day of the Internet, marketing a home is not dependant on a huge advertising budget for the Sunday newspaper.  I show my potential listing clients how I develop a marketing plan specifically for their home and let my past results and testimonials speak for themselves.  No need to bad mouth anyone, ever.  I have always believed that "Nice gets Nice."  

Jan 30, 2018 09:01 AM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-939-2727

Lise Howe
Love that "nice gets nice" attitude. All the best - Lynn

Jan 30, 2018 12:06 PM
Betsy N. Robinson - Serving the Sandhills, NC
Everything Pines Partners, LLC. - Whispering Pines, NC
CNS

Handled like the Pro you are, Scott!

Jan 30, 2018 09:49 AM
Brian DeYoung
also affiliated with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Heritage Realty - Ithaca, NY
The Realtor with personal investment background

I like your style.

I recently had an agent tell my client how great she would be listiung his home (expired) instead of relisting it with me. (I checked her out, she had never closed a deal.

I did not say anything bad about her, and that is my policy. I try and never say anything negative. Indeed, I will say positive things if I have them to say. I also believe that at times silence can speak volumes.  In this case, I did let my client know that this other agent was a rookie,  ( not what he had been led to believe). However there are advantages to that, she has energy and perhaps time. I acknowledged that.

In my corner I have experience, and contacts.

Each client needs to decide what attributes they seek. Positive attitude does NOT always win, however, I prefer to deal with the clients that DO value a positive attitude, and experience.

 

Jan 30, 2018 10:40 AM
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Great post, you have a future as a writer if you want another job.  

Jan 30, 2018 11:15 AM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

I think you're spot on.  We've been with huge companies before and the bottom line is service.  We broke out on our own and started a smaller company and have a few new agents coming on, but it's all about service.  Good post.  

Jan 30, 2018 12:03 PM
Greg Mona
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Professional Real Estate Representation for YOU!

Nice post Scott Godzyk. Your headline certainly caught my attention! In my experience most Realtors play well in the sandbox. Sure, there are some who undoubtedly behave the way you described in your post, but I believe that probably applies to most businesses. That said, I'd much rather get a new listing or attract a new buyer by being positive and reminding them of what level of great service they will receive by going with me/us versus bashing everybody else to try to somehow look better.

Jan 30, 2018 12:53 PM
Bill Carroll
Corcoran Real Estate - Westhampton, NY
IN REAL ESTATE, REPRESENTATION IS EVERYTHING

Very well said Scott and good for you on staying the course to your true self.

Jan 30, 2018 01:00 PM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

It's not professional to bash other agents.  Also I agree with you--when talking with a potential seller, I stress the service and marketing I can do for them--often what franchise I belong to isn't a strong consideration

Jan 30, 2018 01:40 PM
Robert Hicks
United Country River City Realty - Savannah, TN

I win some and I lose some..NEXT.. Oh,,,and I love all my fellow agents.. 

Jan 31, 2018 02:19 PM
Nick DeMers
Caron's Gateway Real Estate - Lancaster, NH
Your Dreams My Mission

What a great post.  So many elements to your post.  The agents, those who are in it for the customer and put forth the work ethic to earn the business versus those who in it for a paycheck at any cost.  The sellers, the true victums of agents with questionable integrity.  Sounds like you handled the situation well given the situation that was left for you when you got there and lastly you remaining positive in a tough situation to get your message across so that the sellers could see that not all agents are created equal.

Feb 01, 2018 01:51 PM
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

Excellent content.  Unfortunately, it happens too often.  Confession I did not read the first 100 or responses; did you get the listing?

Feb 27, 2018 05:31 PM
Bruce Kunz
C21 Solid Gold Realty, Brick, NJ, 732-920-2100 - Howell, NJ
REALTOR®, Brick & Howell NJ Homes for Sale

Congratulations, Scott Godzyk for staying above the fray and not being sucked into the negativity provided by the others. It can be an easy trap to fall into, but it usually doesn't go over well with the potential client at all.

Thank you for sharing and I hope you got the listing (and by now a sale, too!).
Bruce

 

Feb 27, 2018 06:40 PM
James (Jim) Lawson, DBA
DomainRealty.com LLC - Bonita Springs, FL
Broker Associate, RSPS, BPOR, HI & PE

Lots of substance in your post Scott. There is no need to bash colleagues as  you say nor is it very professional to do so to get listings. If your service level is top drawer and you can articulate it well, listings will come. However, you must be assertive enough not be a secret agent, otherwise you definitely won't prosper.

Feb 27, 2018 08:28 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

what a lovely message you conveyed - eventually - to the seller - no wonder they liked you! 

Mar 15, 2018 05:37 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

I'm a little late to this party, but it's obvioius you did the right thing, and maybe you got the listing and maybe you didn't.  Sometimes it's better to be the 2nd or 3rd listing agent.

Apr 23, 2018 05:50 PM
Sam Stoffer
CB Winston - Scottsdale, AZ
Residential Real Estate

Great Article.  I think perceptions like these are what make the public antagonistic towards real estate agents.  Although real estate agents are technically competitors with each other, being amicable in the transaction is a great way to potentially get referral business from agents you hit it off with.

http://arizonareferralspecialists.weebly.com/blog

Sep 19, 2018 06:32 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I am with the biggest real estate company in the United States and it has nothing to do with my service - and I barely talk about it! It is the person that sellers are hiring. 

Dec 05, 2018 06:44 AM