Do all Agents really dislike other agents?

It was almost a year ago a seller sat across from me and asked, "why all agents hate other agents. I was at an appointment to list a Manchester NH area home. I was the last agent of many to interview with the seller. Mr. Seller sat me down for an interrogation more than an interview. 

Back then they did not list with me. They listed it for sale shortly with a big company, but it did not sell.  They decided to keep the home as a summer residence and moved South for winter. They have decided the home is too big and costly to keep empty for more than half the year and want to sell again.

Last year they told me that the first agent on their list, spent their appointment time bashing everyone she told was also coming to interview. The seller rambled off the negatives they were told. Mr. Seller asked me "as an independent agent, how can you match xxxx franchise?". Mr. Seller spoke up saying every agent before me had a sales pitch of how their franchise was the greatest. He asked, "What did I have to say about that?"

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.

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. Back then, 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. Mrs. Seller made a positive comment that I did not say one bad thing about anyone or their companies. 

They asked how I could sell homes without a national team. behind me. The answer was easy,  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 chose not to list with me back then. Their home did not sell with who they did list with. Now fast forward a year, they are calling me to come meet them again. As luck and fate would have it, I listed and sold a neighborhood home last year. 

They had me meet their relative to walk through the home and do a new market analysis and make a list of anything they need to have done before they list.  They also asked if my maintenance workers could get the work done now. They will be home the end of the month to list. I sent them a listing contract post dated for when they come home to sign now. It will be my pleasure to invest my time and resources with them, but they need to invest their faith in signing the listing agreement now.

Touching back on their question, real estate agents actually can get along well. They work together for a common goal of a sale. Things can actually go well when each knows what to expect and communicates often. 

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.