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They Shoot Realtors, Don't They?

I am pretty new at being a Realtor. However, the venom directed at my profession is pretty shocking, still.

The following are excerpts from posts to www.Allrealtorssuck.blogspot.com This is one of many websites that have sprung up in the last three years that allow customers to vent their anger at the people they think are the culprits behind our weak economy.

"Realtors are lazy, worthless scum who collect a huge amount of money for doing nothing."

"All Realtors suck, but you can't blame them....after all the brokers teach them to be the scum they are."

"Realtors are cons and rip offs. They work when they want, not when you want them to."

"There is no more low down human being than a Realtor. What do they really do to justify their huge cuts? Drive up the prices of real estate and refuse to negotiate their fees to make a deal work. They are greedy and unprofessional and lazy too. I hate them all."

"All Realtors suck!!!! I have a hard time believing that they can be all liars, but they are slowly but surely proving to be. Liars...they are simply crooks that are too lazy to steal."

Well, this made me ask questions to the people in my office. Almost all Realtors were outraged that I would even dare suggest that they were less than honest.

Ok, so who is at fault?

And then it dawned on me that I really did not have a handle on what brought about the crisis we are in. I have come up with the following explanation after a lot of research. Please correct me if I am wrong.

1. Banks gave money away (loans) to poor people.

2. This process was done using 'financial instruments' that were not regulated.

3. It turns out banks (because of the lack of accounting rules) were closer to insolvency (or ability to back up loan by cash) then anybody knew.

4. Once the States realized what was going on they were unable to stop the banks because of "The Office Of the Comptroller of The Currency." This 'office' was a government agency approved by congress. This not only emboldened the banks, but it also allowed them to shift the burden of guilt.

5. Congress, it turns out, is 'assisted' through campaign contributions by the banks and brokers whose wealth depends on fending off the financial police.

6. As of now, the big banks....with the permission/and or desire to look away from the treasury department.....are being allowed - on their own - to decide how much safety capital they should hold.

7. This is the reason we are in the trouble we are in, to begin with.

If this is the case, and if we take in account that every profession has its share of crooks and slimeballs, why are Realtors the chosen whipping boys(and girls?).

Then, as in my case, add the innovative idea of being a Green Realtor and you become a walking target for BOTH customers AND Realtors.

What exactly is going on here?

I would really like input on what I think is a delicate topic. And please, I know Realtors can be greedy (hell, I have felt greedy myself). It has to be more than that. It has to go deeper.

In the current Zeitgeist, Realtors appear to do what they are supposed to do - exude professionalism, demonstrate kindness and confidence, negotiate the best deal. And yet, for an immediate conversation starter bring up a story (any story) about a Realtor.

Not a pretty sight. Trust me.

Posted by Douglas Garbe, Real Living Real Estate Solutions on 05/29/2008 03:22 PM

Comments (69)

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69 Comments on They Shoot Realtors, Don't They?

MAY

2008

There are good realtors, and there are bad ones. Just as in ANY profession, you'll find both kinds. Unfortunately the bad ones give us all a rotten name, and it's hard to change public opinion. Until someone has had a bad one, then sees how a GOOD one operates, they may never even know the difference.

Today I went on a listing appointment and got the listing. I was the 3rd agent to visit. The sellers said the other 2 never looked them in the eye, and spoke to them as if they were pond scum. I explained everything slowly and carefully, and was in the house for 3 hours. They couldn't thank me enough for taking the time to come out and go over all their questions/concerns. The other 2 treated them as if they were stupid, or worse than that: beneath them somehow. I didn't.

He's been looking for property seriously for months and has met with FSBO's and dozens of agents along the way. I'm thrilled to work for him, and would never have treated him the way he's been treated in the past (by both agents who wanted to list the place, and those who wanted to sell him his next home).

Erica - You bring up an even more interesting point: Attitude. Do some Realtors think they are better than the customers? Or that the customers are like stupid, spoiled children than do not deserve to have things explained to them?

You are right, changing public opinion is hard. But the whole thing become even more complicated if we, as a whole, continue to ignore the fact that Realtors are slipping even further in the popularity polls.

Thank you for point of view,

I just had this conversation with another agent today. She's disgusted with the lack of ethics and poor attitudes. Until we take action and threaten to file complaints--or actually do it!--against agents who exhibit lack of ethics (or who do illegal activities) then we'll always have this problem. the agent doesn't want to file a complaint (although I feel she has good right to!) because she'll be considered a tattler, and it's a small community. In fact I don't remember the last time one was filed in our area! Yet lack of ethics, poor judgement and just plain illegal activities do take place. We see them regularly.

This agent didn't even want to call the BROKER to complain, because in the past her broker has not done a darn thing to support her. My response: my door is open! I'd support you if you were my agent!

This one caught my eye and I can't help but comment. Realtors, like so many other professionals are not all good. Ever heard of an ambulance chasing attorney? I am a loan officer, and believe me we've had a fair share of being "shot" too. I think as realtors and lenders, we have to provide more value to our clients. Sometimes I read these articles and get so angry, but then I have to think, "that's not me". I have not ever been part of mortgage fraud nor worked with a realtor or builder who was. "poor people" aren't to blame either. Those people who intentionally frauded lenders and banks are to blame, but they are no where around today!! It's you and I sitting her wondering why we are always shot at. I really think that as a group of professionals we should just get past it. The crisis is over-rated, the main stream media has completely blown it out of proportion! The good news is that this is an opportunity for those of us who ARE professionals. Because those who weren't good at what they do, and were making money for nothing will not weather the storm.

m blanchard
blanchardmortgageservices.com

Erica - Wow! An even more interesting and complex angle: Agents filing complaints against fellow agents. We are a close knit community (in the sense of covering our tracks for each other) and being a whistle blower can bring severe repercussions.

God, it's like a movie.

Again, thank you Erica. I think your comments are, by far, better than my content. I hope people respond to your ideas.

Monica - You are right. Things will be sorted out, one way or another. However, maybe the best defense in this case is to realize that it is going to take some action to get things back on track. I also believe, unfortunately, that it is the bad, greedy, shameless Realtors that seem to be representing us in the people's minds.

There is good and bad in any profession. Maybe all of those people ran into the wrong realtor and want to blame All for some. That does happen.

Robert - No, that won't do. It's too weak of an explanation. This is much more complicated, a much deeper issue than most people want to contemplate.

The odds of all 'those people' running into the 'wrong Realtor' is just bullshit.

I am being difficult about this because I want some honest answers.

It is a "trust" issue. Deep seated and passed on thru generations. The chain has to be broken. When and by who is another question all to itself. And these are MY opinions. I never said i was the expert.

Robert - There we go. THAT is an answer that gives me clues to a possible solution. Nobody is an expert when it comes to this, on the other hand, we are all in it. A dilemma.

Your opinion matters, and it is valuable.

Thank you for sharing it :)

being a whistle blower can bring severe repercussions...

That's why most agents bitch & moan about others who are not ethical, or who don't work in their clients' best interest.... but at the same time they do NOTHING about it. If they do anything they may (may) complain to their own broker, who complains to the other agent's broker... and it stops there. If the broker in charge does nothing, it ends there. How many follow through with a formal complaint? I cannot name one instance I've seen in over 8 years.

If we don't police our own ranks, we'll never improve.

That should tick off some people... let it fly.

I have been told many years ago that if I try and be different, I will be shunned by my peers and make them mad. So what did I do? I made everyone mad! There are way too many Realtors out there who think their stuff doesn't stink and yet they are still out there burinng thru clients.

John: 100% accurate.

I'm not too popular here, either, with many people.

My clients--past clients--are extremely loyal and my best cheerleaders. Who cares about the bad agents. They can bad mouth me all they want--I am doing great business with repeat clients right now. it's worth it in the end.

If we weren't worth the money we earn, then EVERYONE would sell FSBO. Period.

If it were such easy money, they would be doing it and not whining about it. I can understand if they had a bad experience. There are a lot of people in this business who should not be, just like any profession. Move on and find someone who enriches your knowledge about real estate and the market. If you don't feel like you are learning something, than that probably isn't the agent you should be dealing with.

Your job as a buyer or seller is to find the best source. How many of the people complaining actually interviewed more than one agent? I'm willing to bet that most of them worked with the first agent they met or were referred.

They were lazy in their hiring process and are looking for a scapegoat.

Doug...

It has been my experience that most of the comments are justified. In many cases real estate agents charge too much for too little service. We have failed at policing our own industry, and now the DOJ has mandated that agents be LESS accountable. Go figure.

MAY

2008

It's just a fad. I ignore it. Those who are outside our industry are taking advantage of the slime balls among us who tout their business model and denigrate others like some of the nastiness you see on Actve Rain... some you can read right here in the comments.

Erica - OK, here is an idea. How exactly do we police ourselves without shooting ourselves in the foot (after all, open season has already been declared on us by the rest of the world)?

The scumbag Realtors I know are vindictive to the point of insanity. By that I mean, they blame the customer for being stupid enough not to ask the right questions.

Excuse me, if you don't know what to ask......and if you are intimidated by some bastard who is making you feel bad...no questions will be asked. You will just get the hell out of there as soon as possible.

It's a mess. Great input, as usual.

John - I applaud you for being able to cast some fault upon our profession. I am surprised by how many of us would rather avoid the issue.

That works real well when you are taking that barge on the river of DENIAL.

Setting yourself apart from the pack (and this time the word applies) is called having standards.

Join the club.

Erica - I agree. However, if there are only two good apples in a barrel full of diseased ones, eventually all apples go bad.

I do believe we must care. And act. And kick some ass.

But how?

Sandra - Sorry, don't agree. Blindly trying to cover tracks for our less-than-honest members smacks of denial.

Calling customers 'lazy' is just the right antidote to calm everybody down. If I was a former customer reading that I would go through the roof. I am a professional, on par with a Doctor.

The number one reason people are afraid to ask the so called 'right questions' is because they are either embarassed or intimidated. Somebody with a little bit of understanding and caring would set them at ease.

Hell no, the customer is not wrong. The customer is ALWAYS right. Sandra, they are complaining because we have messed it up.

Richard - Your honesty shines right through. But what do we do now? We have Sandra above me who believes it's the customer's fault, and Maureen below me who thinks its a fad.

I mean, this is not the way to tackle this issue. I must look into this issue with the DOJ. Do you have any links that would explain it me? Much appreciated.

Part of the solution, I like that about you :)

Maureen - I am so surprised by your response. YOU, of all people. You are my big mentor here on Active Rain and have taken me to the carpet for being less than honest in my early blogs.

I agree that some among us are acting a tad mightier than thou, Fine. But there should be no slimeballs among us. At least not an acceptance of them.

It is during times like these that the ranks should be cleaned out. Some of it will happen naturally, and some of it should happen by force.

Consumers are about to revolt. I know of at least three models where you can buy a house without having to use a Realtor. I am sure more will come up soon. Have you read the sites that shower us with anything but love? Try www.Realturds.com

I guess I should take out my hankie and wipe off my blood from up here on my high horse, but you know what.....we have to start pointing fingers and trying to come up with a solution.

Otherwise there will be a day when a Realtor will be a thing of the past.

Trust me, I know what I speak of. I used to be a teacher. Computer programs make much better teachers if you are willing to forsake the 'human element.'

Douglas,

Welcome to real estate! I thought you may be new. Welcome to the Real Living fam as well. The best advice I can give is to network and make connections for relocation referrals!

Christina Asad Edwards, REALTOR
2006 & 2007 Sales Masters Top Agent
Christina.AsadEdwards@RealLiving.com
www.teamedwards.info
mobile or text 937-205-4741 office 937-573-0082
Real Living Realty - #1 in OHIO!
Realty, Mortgage, Title, Relocation

Doug - I abide by a philosophy that when fingers start a pointing, everybody starts ducking. Lots of folks on every side (Realtors, Lenders, Mortgage Brokers, Banks, Consumers, Title Companies, Appraisers, etc) had a hand in transactions and my guess is the blame can be shared ... perhaps not equally, but shared. At this point, I'm going to try to be my own part of the solution. Nice to see ya man!

Most of the Realtor I work with are harding working professionals. There are always a couple scum bags, but I don't know of tow many.

Steve

I agree 100% Jason. I feel the damage is done. Now, it is our jobs as professionals to educate and encourage our buyers. So many of them are absolutely terrified these days. It will seem like an impossible task to convert the distrust for our industry into trust. However, does anyone remember the 1980's. We can all overcome this.

The best thing we can do is conduct ourselves in an ethical and professional manner. The truth always comes out in the wash. With educating the buyers we are providing a service to them and us both.

It only takes one person to make a difference. We have the wonderful opportunity of being that person to millions of buyers. GO GET EM!!! MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

JUN

2008

Jason - I agree. But somebody has to start pointing fingers. It is obvious who is part and who is not part of the solution. For me, if you are willing to talk about it then you are willing to acknowledge the gravity of the situation. If everything is 'wonderful' and there is no problem out there....head in the sand.

Thank you for your comment. You ARE the solution, by the way :)

Steven - Two things:

1. Spell check works really good.

2. You obviously don't know too many Realtors.

Monica - Thank you thank you thank you. You are right, you are part of the solution. The solution, by the way, is easy. At this point, Real Estate is not about greed anymore. It is about helping people find a place to live, it is about having a job that you can be proud of.

Just last night I saw a movie that got a big laugh at questioning the integrity of a Realtor. Hell, even I laughed. And what do I do for a living. Ha!

Yet this topic does upset people. Hmm. Thou protest too much, you rotten apples.

Doug - I don't mind that you don't agree with me on this one. Life would be boring if everyone were on the same page all of the time. :) And, I do agree with you that we have a responsibility to keep integrity and professionalism in our industry, but, I don't think you can only blame us. I think that the client has some responsibility when hiring an agent to represent them in one of the largest purchases of their life. Most take more time finding a great mechanic or collision repair service to get a dent out of their car than they do choosing an agent.

We have all come across someone who has used their brother's long lost cousin who happens to be an agent instead of actually interviewing several people, or go with whoever offers the biggest rebate. Or heaven forbid they use the all-in-one thinking they will save some money on the loan and purchase just to find out they paid too much for the home and have a large prepayment penalty when they go to sell or missed out on the best loan program for them because their "agent" bit off more than they could chew...

As far as three business models that allow buyers to buy without an agent...that's old news. From the beginning of written land ownership, buyers have been able to buy without an agent. Most don't because it's difficult and they want to protect themselves and avoid pitfalls and lawsuits. (They don't want to take the time to learn to take their own engine apart and rebuild it, they have a life outside of that job) It is difficult to dot all the I's and cross all the T's in a real estate transaction. Some will utilize these services (and some are actually qualified to do so), but most people want a human there to walk beside them and educate them about the process and the market.

If you are a buyer or seller's agent and do your job well (like actually going into the homes in the area you sell) and know the inventory and market history, you are more valuable than any website can be and people will gravitate to YOU. Pictures can only tell so much and the customers know this. They will always like to do their own research. It's fun to search through homes online and it lets them come to table with some beginning knowledge. Nothing can replace physical knowledge of the market and if more agents got off their butts and actually looked at the product they are selling than there would be a lot less complaints and websites springing up than there are.

I will stick to my initial comment that if you are going to choose the human element and hire a "professional", you should make the effort to choose well. If customers did, the riff raff in our industry would become extinct. You cannot ignore the customers contribution to the state of the industry today. If there weren't a demand for sub-par agents, they wouldn't be out there, but enough people settle on them that they seem to be able to stay in business.

I think it's great that you are motivated to be the best agent you can be, we need more people like you in the industry, but time in this business will show you what I'm talking about.

My clients understand that choosing the right agent is critical, which is why they use my services repeatedly and refer me to their friends, family and business associates. I take great care to only introduce my clients to the best in the business to protect them from the "scumbags" and they know it. I refer only the best lenders, inspectors, etc and stay on top of the market in my area in order to offer the best service and most market knowledge... They appreciate it. That's the irreplaceable human element.

What solution do you propose to expedite the removal of the "scumbags"?

Sandra - First of all: Thank you for your long, passionate response. That shows me I have hit a nerve and you have given me the respect to answer my question with honesty and integrity.

I know you read my entry. In it I talked about realizing how ignorant I was about the facts about what was happening to the economy. I asked people to explain it to me...nobody could to my satisfaction. So I did research and came up with....what I thought....was a pretty clear answer.

If you read my model for what is happening...then you know I am not blaming the Realtors at all.

My question was why people are so upset with us. Those websites where people are venting their anger against us are a new phenomenom. People have always complained about bad service on all kinds of cosummer sites. But sites designed just to denigrate and humilliate our profession are a pretty new occurance.

Ironically enough, I received an email over the weekend telling me that I was not allowed to comment on this Lady's blog anymore because I was not a professional. I am dealing with her right after I finish responding to you.

Rereading my original response to you I see that I come across, basically, like a moronic snob. At this point I have learned (based on responses to my other blogs) that Realtors are a strange people. I guess my dukes are up from the get go at this point.

I apologize for coming across in such a defensive manner.

What is the solution? Sandra, I wish I knew. But what I suspect, is that talking about this issue, keeping the dialogue flowing....will show the public that we are taking care of business in probably the only way it can be done: internally and with integrity.

Thank you for your awesome response. You, too, are part of the solution.

Christina - Since I am not permitted to respond to you anymore on your blog, this will be my version of an open letter to you:

I almost want to reproduce the email you send me here. It would show, word by word, that your interest is not with the customer, but with making as much money as you can.

Now, what is wrong with making as much money as you want?

Nothing. The problem, I believe, is that when over a million people have lost their homes, the economy is in shambles, people can't afford to make payments on basically anything anymore....people like you are saying: "There is nothing wrong. This is a great time to buy. The experts say we are not in a recession."

Telling me not to comment on your blog is childish.

Telling people that there is nothing wrong is definitely not being well informed.

Yes I am new. Thank God! I want to start my new profession on a right foot. I want to HELP people find a house. I find them homes for far less than they can afford. I take reductions in my comission. I help people repair their credit and find ways for them to become home owners.

I hope you respond. I want you to always comment on my blog. You have something to say and I respect you for that. I would never take away your voice, your vote or your dignity.

Have a nice day.

Doug - I too have been banned for asking questions and responding in a truthful manner. I will never quite understand why people flee from people with different perspectives. I've always enjoyed that type of banter because it is where you will learn the most. (Assuming you aren't being verbally abused, which you find here from time to time.)

Keep asking questions. It's the best way to learn. I ask all the time and I've been selling real estate for awhile now. The constant change in this profession is one reason I love it so much. It's never boring!

You are very lucky to be starting your career in this market. It will make you a better agent in the long run. Only those agents focused on their clients will survive. The current market like a giant magnifying glass for the whole industry.

Sandra- We have just demonstrated a point you and I. We talked out our initial differences and have come up with a comfortable and respectful conclusion: It is okay to differ in opinions (not that you and I differ, we are on the same page), and it is perfectly all right to entertain opinions that seem far out there.

It is all about dialogue. And respect.

Thank you again for your passionate response. I appreciate the time you have put into letting me know how you feel. THAT is important to me. And to customers.

JUN

2008

Explain to me where you get off acting as if you are the snow white of Real Estate? According to one of your answers you not only help them find cheaper houses, you take breaks in commission and you help them fix their credit.

Meanwhile the rest of us are pond sucking scum.

Get some experience under your belt and then have the 'cajones' to make your accusations.

Daniel Gross?

...sock puppet?

Maureen - I sense a certain Mr. Jim H. ( a prankster, big time) is trying to stir my pot. Let me go and find out :)

Daniel Gross is the name of a NY Times business writer... of course both are common names.

Maureen - Jim didn't do it (he is as sick as a dog today). NY Times....wow! You think it's true?

Hi Douglas,

It's not just the big banks. There's plenty of blame to go around. One thing that would help is to raise the licensing standards. Take a look at doctors, lawyers and CPAs. They deliberately make it difficult for people to break into their professions.

P.S. You chose an interesting time to become a Realtor in Orlando! :)

JUN

2008

Some critics say that Realtors are not a professional group. In Reality, we are licensed by the state after very little education. I took my RE class in 6 days, passed the test and I was a Realtor! The key is in continuing education. Getting a GRI was a great experience and of course how we conduct ourselves on a daily basis is what is going to matter to the public in general but more importantly, the people we come in contact on a 1 to 1 basis daily.

JUN

2008

Daniel - I am assuming you are for real. If I am snow white you must be the wicked witch (with a capital B).

As for experience, I have over a year 'under my belt.' Not to sound all Obama, but it IS time for change. In attitude foremost, it seems.

Pretty pathetic.

Not Yet Licensed - (Maureen, this one sounds real) I completely agree. The whole thing with Maureen and 'sock puppet' has to do with crank comments (so please don't take it personally).

Standards are good, always.

Interesting time, indeed.

Jim - You are absolutely right. Once you learn how to drive a car, it is up to you as to if you want to be a safe driver or not. It is up to you if you want to respect pedestrian rights, brake for animals, not throw crap out your windows. It is up to you if you want to follow traffic signals and obey stop signs. Tickets, in my opinion, are the equivalent of complaints from the public.

And ultimately, it is about how you behave with the public.

Do you want to do the right thing.

Do you?

Hi Douglas,

Yes. I'm real. :) No worries. I didn't take your comments personally. I'm new to the Active Rain community. However I've been on message boards since the last century so I'm very familiar with the silliness of sock puppets. My advice? Ignore them. It's only a game with them. If they upset you, they win. If they get you to respond, they win. Don't give them the satisfaction. If you ignore them, they lose.

Sorry. That was me. I'll get the hang of this eventually! :)

Not Yet Licensed - Awesome! Always good to find somebody with a sense of humor:)! Actually, a true sock puppet would be me writing to myself (and how can I ignore all this goodness!).

I personally like responses that are comical, controversial, angry....whatever. As long as they are not boring or just fishing for those 25 points per comment.

Hey, put up a picture and give us a name.....so that we can get to know you better and Maureen won't think I am making up some person. Help me out here!

Thank you for responding

Hi Douglas,

Humor helps in this business! :) I've been thinking about registering on Active Rain but I feel a bit overwhelmed by all the things I still need to learn. When I do register, I want to do it right.

Not yet licensed - Maybe you really need to read Maureen's latest blog again, carefully. It was a passive agressive swipe at me. At this point any comment without a name is suspect to her.

Don't wait too long. You get to make more friends with a picture :)

Best of luck.

Hi Douglas,

I didn't mean to get in the middle of something. When I register here I will try to remember to call Maureen and personally introduce myself. Does she think that I'm you? I thought I made it very clear that I'm against sock puppets. They are a waste of time and energy. There are too many good things here to learn about for anyone to spend time debating sock puppets. My disadvantage, right now, is that I'm not registered. I will get to that eventually, but when I do it I want to make sure I do it right.

Enjoy your evening. It's time for me to walk our dogs.

A name would help - No, no problem. Maureen and I have a great relationship. Give and take is always good in a friendship.

You do not have to call Maureen to explain yourself. Call her anyway and introduce yourself, she is a wonderful person and she will give you good advice (she always looks out for me).

Once you become active on Active Rain you will quickly find your way and make friends and get exactly what it is you need from this service. Trust me.

I am not sure what you mean by 'make sure I do it right.' You mean, technically or just the information you want to put down?

It is not as complicated as it sounds.

Best of luck.

JUN

2008

I checked out the blogspot link you posted here, Either (i) the guy just claims to be a former agent or (ii) he was a scumbag when practicing. At any rate, his grammar is at the third grade level,

JUN

2008

Helios Realty - I agree. Total moron. But the anger is real, and that is what I was talking about. I think my presentation of this particular subject may have gotten misinterpreted. I am not putting Realtors down. I am firmly aware that bad Realtors exist, just like there are bad apples in any profession. The interesting thing, however, is that Realtors have become an integral part of what is wrong with our economy this time around. Or at least that is what a lot of angry people are thinking.

I have met a couple Realtors I wouuld have like to shot.

Steven - Now now. That's my job!

I would have liked it if you had told me the reason why. That's what I was hoping for in this entry: good, juicy stories. Sounds like you have a couple.

Want a share? :)

It's not a bad idea with a couple I have met.

Steven - Just one story? Huh?

JUN

2008

Jim - Sorry I took so long to respond. I personally don't believe this is a debate about good and bad realtors. I think this is about loving your profession and being greedy. When you love what you do, and you are helping people at the same time (true meaning of service industry) then you are on easy street.

There are people who do not care for any of that. Just the fat paycheck. I KNOW it is a minority in our profession, but it is a vocal, very hard to overlook minority.

And they do damage.

Thank you for a great comment.

JUL

2008

Folks this guy is New as he says, take it from an Ex-Realtor still Broker Owner, and Still Doing Well at Real Estate, the Realtors are, indeed hurting the real estate consumer. Realtors offer no protection to the real estate consumer and Realtors are a BIG part of the current real estate situation. Not policing MLS data for quality and appraisers coming in at whatever "home value" it takes to make the deal has created a House of Cards in a Hurricane. Realtors and their data have enabled, and often times assisted loans to go through for buyers that could not really afford the loan. Whatever it takes to make the sale. So though, not all Realtors Suck, the Real Estate Industry and the National Association Of Realtors Real Estate Cartel does suck and that is the arena Realtors have to work in, so even if you don't "Suck" you cannot protect your consumer agains those who do. Realtors Lie and it Really Does Hurt Your Bottom Line and Really could Endanger your life. So be careful out there folks and to find out more about the Shocking Truth of the Real Etsate Industry, go to http://www.ConfessionsOfARealtor.com or email me at Crystal@SavvyBroker.com

JUL

2008

Okay, this must be a first. An infomercial response to a somewhat inflammatory blog. Truth be told, I do agree with some of what the response offers. On the other hand, it does sound like another shady broker trying to get business by sounding 'clean' and honest.

A hooker is still a prostitute. By any name.

JUL

2008

For those of you who care about my saga - I did check up the guy above (by going to the site).

Just like I thought.

Snap!

I agree that our industry as a whole has suffered a lot of negative image problems in the past few years, especially when the market was booming. Anyone and everyone got into the game to "dabble" in real estate, and the industry made it easy to do. With a couple of bucks and a few classroom hours you could become... a "Realtor"!

Now though it's a different story. It's too difficult to survive in today's market as a part-timer or someone with a less-then-scrupulous history. The Real Estate community has gotten much smaller and word gets around. This type of market weeds out the bad apples and leaves the professionals in place. I believe in the coming years we will see our image as an industry re-bound along with the market as a whole. Good luck to those who have decided to make real estate their CAREER, not just a game.

Bob - Thank you for your response. I agree 100% with your assessment of the current situation (and your prediction for our future). Again, judging by some of the responses to this entry, people believe I am attacking them personally.

It was a point I needed to make, as sore as it made some people.

I am NOT a Shady Broker, I don't really sell real estate any more, I have fought for Buyers Rebates and Have Stood up for my clients. My efforts to get paid subscribers to my blog is yes to monetize my EXTREMELY valuable information. I have seen buyers go to Total ruin over Realtors lies and as a Buyers agent I am told by my E and O insurance company that it is NOT the intention of my insurance to protect my clients, I am horrified at this.

Yes, this is an internet infommecial on some level, it is to get the word out, Realtors are lazy and cheap for the most part, and won't subscribe, this will create more actual consumers reading the blog instead of bored Realtors. If you don't want the information don't subscribe, by don't call me a Whore either, I really did give it my all to do right by my clients and there is NO consumer protection in Real Estate Period.

The Real Estate Industry continues to hurt consumers, and I am exposing them, and NOT in a way that is FREE to all who trip over my sight, but a Paid Blog subscription, to narrow down the looky lous that just want to Bitch and Moan.

Crystal L. Cox
Broker Owner
Ten Lakes Realty

Also, (ConfessionsOfARealtor.com) I am NOT trying to SOUND honest, there is NO WAY for me to be honest, I simply don't know what consumers NEED me to know, Realtors are NOT taught to protect consumers. I am no "shady" and I am not trying to get your business as to represent you in a real estate transaction, I don't NEED you to believe I am honest, that is WAY off the Point, the Point is the Consumer is Losing everything, while the National Association of Realtors pretends to lobby for consumer protection but really lobby's to keep Realtors relevent in an internet age when they Simply are not NEEDED for any reason, NOT ONE. And in fact, using a Realtor can and Will hurt you I can prove it. Subscribe to my Infomerciall, my Confessions of A Realtor Blog and Find out what is REAL in the REAL Estate Industry.

JUL

2008

This rant is for Crystal Cox, the Savvy Broker.

If you don't know what consumers NEED you to know, why do you expect them to pay to read your EXTREMELY Valuable Information about what you don't know? They won't, which is why you are hocking your EXTREMELY Valuable Information here.

There are probably plenty of consumers (and other agents who might end up with you on the other side of a transaction) who are happy that you no longer sell real estate.

E & O Insurance is similar to malpractice insurance. Looks like you could also start a "Confessions of a Doctor Blog".

You protect your consumer by learning what you need to know about the business you are in. Any business... If you want your buyer insured when it comes to real estate, it's called Title & Homeowners Insurance and providing the consumer access to reputable companies to protect them and their interests.

If you want to give your buyer a rebate, negotiate closing costs paid by the seller, down payments paid by the seller or point buy downs and more for your buyer. (You can save them much more than the percent or two you want to bribe them with.) Work for a different fee than everyone, no one cares. Rebates open the door for unlicensed people to earn commission based on the sale of real estate. There were many horror stories which led to the licensing of real estate agents and moving back to this time in history would only repeat those horror stories.

Educate the consumer to make the best deal possible by having physical market knowledge. This means to quit your bitching and get to work by going into homes (previewing) so you can talk to buyers and sellers about market value. Network with other agents to learn about what is coming on the market and where their current deals stand. Knock on doors to find out who might be selling next. Talk to buyers about their feeling on the real estate market. They are the market. Talk to your lenders about the lending market.

This is how you learn what you NEED to know for your consumers.

Are you going to choose the reputable mechanic who knows how to fix your car or the one up the street, in front of his shop, waving a hundred dollar bill to get your business?

While the Association of Realtors isn't perfect, they do a lot to protect consumers.

Lobby Congress to keep FHA limits higher to make homes more affordable for buyers in more expensive areas.
Lobby the government at local, state & national levels to keep extra taxes and fees from being added onto real estate sales, keeping w/affordability
Offer TRAINING COURSES for free or a small fee so that agents & brokers can learn what they NEED to know to protect the consumer.
Offer an immense database so that Realtor clients can have massive exposure for their homes.
Sell this information to outside sources such as Realtor.com so that consumers have access to market information for FREE.
The list can go on and one.

You made your own point Doug...everyone else is at fault except agents. Denial certainly is more than a river my friend. Agents did in fact play a significant role too, only we're too busy blaming others to remember the comments from professionals that I (and most certainly thousands of other agents) heard in the last 3-4 years.

1. It's a steal (even when the agents knew it wasn't)

2. It probably won't last till the weekend (even though it just turned 156 days on the market)

3. Mr. Mortgage Broker, if you can't get them an approval, I'll find someone who can (when they were marginal buyers who should not have been approved for a loan under any circumstances)

4. If you can just bump up the appraisal a few thousand more, we can make this work and all get paid (hmm, can you say fraud?)

Not trying to bust your chops Doug, but conspicuously absent from your list of those at fault was the role agents played.

Sandra - Well, you did it the smart way. You caught her off guard with big words and sentences that have correct punctuation.

I just called her out.

I can be less than charming, sometimes. However, sometimes an 'in-your-face' comment is well deserved.

By the way, I agree with you on everything. The Association of Realtors is in yet another growth spurt (brought on by the current economy). Nothing is perfect, and yes, we have bad apples. Yet I stand 100% by my profession.

I want to believe that there are more good apples than psycho-crystalmeth apples out there.

Is she a former apple trying to be an orange?

Guy - I agree. Read some of my earlier stuff and see that I have been calling out Realtors to the carpet for a while. I believe this profession is not in its death throes (unlike Crystal.....above), but bad apples leave a sour taste in a lot of peoples minds.

I'm too idealistic (and have savings, still) to pull some of the scams you mentioned. However, the used-car-salesman element of our profession does not escape me.

We all have families to feed.

All in all, people are frustrated with agents. We do not seem, at the moment at least, to want to admit that we had something to do with this big mess. We did. But in my keen eye it is still the Banks and the Lenders that did the most damage.

At least they should have give their clients a condom, for protection.

If you know what I mean, and I think you do.

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