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A TOP AGENT DELIVERS ONE LIE AFTER ANOTHER

By
Real Estate Agent with Bill Cherry, Realtor 0124242

A while back, I co-oped with a listing agent whose license hangs with a well-known Dallas real estate firm.  It was obvious from the beginning that the agent not only knew the ropes, but practiced them.  Practiced them so well that I can say here and now that person has to be within the top five in competency of all of the agents I've worked with since 1964.

There couldn't be a Realtor on this planet who, if they worked with this agent once, wouldn't say it was an incredible experience. 

There was one problem:  The agent lied to me over and over again.  I mean big lies.  One after another; all told to me straight-faced.  Lies that didn't gain the agent any ground; just lies for the sake of telling a lie.

If that agent worked for me, I'd fire the agent, and then I'd morn the loss forever. 

What is it about the real estate business that somehow encourages this kind of behavior?  Whatever it is, I abhor it, don't you?

 

BILL CHERRY, REALTORS

DALLAS

1 800-314-7110 - 24 hours

Our 43rd Year Selling Texas

Comments(23)

Ron Moore
RE/MAX Professionals/Regal Builders - Retired - Florence, SC
MOORE Thoughts

Unfortunately, lying has virtually become an acceptable practice in our society.  Most people don't have the moral character to keep them from lying at some level. Sad.

Aug 02, 2008 11:41 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

I most certainly don't believe that this is unique to the real estate business.  We routinely hear lies from politicians, business leaders, service people, attornies, utilities, union leaders, clergymen, bankers, etc., etc.

 

Aug 02, 2008 11:44 PM
Dennis Swartz
Full Circle Property Management - Columbus, OH
MBA, GRI...experience counts!

I think that in some generations lying in sales was an accepted art form, and if it works you keep doing it. Maybe he was just "old school"

Aug 02, 2008 11:48 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Bill, I have Had a similiar situation going on with a broker, going to post on it later. One of the most unprofessional deals I've been involved in lately.

Aug 02, 2008 11:49 PM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Bill,

A very sad, but common commentary.

Bill

Aug 03, 2008 12:07 AM
Jeff Johnson
On the Move - Louisville, KY
Proud To Be Your Realtor

With some people it just comes so easy, in all professions.  I would chalk that one up to knowing who not to deal with in the future.

Aug 03, 2008 12:07 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Bill,

Sociopaths have a need to lie, even when it gains them nothing. Unfortunately, sales and politics attract sociopaths. The trick for the rest of us is learning the lay of the land and who the sociopaths are....reading a few books on 'how to spot a lie/liar' doesn't hurt either.

Jo

Aug 03, 2008 12:08 AM
Sheila Reeves
Allen Tate Realtors - Greenville, SC

That is sad, but it happens in all professions.  When I was in the Corporate World, there was one company in particular where there did not seem to be any ethics by many people in that company.  Leadership and culture start at the top in any organization.  My sons will tell you the absolute worst thing they could do growing up was lie to me.  The consequences for lying were much more severe than for telling the truth, even if the Truth was not good something good.

Aug 03, 2008 12:16 AM
William Collins
ERA Queen City Realty - Scotch Plains, NJ
Property and Asset Management

Bill,

Thanks for the post. I agree with the other posts in that this crosses all lines. Perhaps the root cause is a lack of morals. Some successful people believe that they are above everyone esle in all aspects of life, including being bound by the truth and ethics.

 

Aug 03, 2008 12:17 AM
Anne Hensel
South Beaches Real Estate Professionals - Saint Petersburg, FL
Realtor - Broker - St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island

What amazes me, is that they get away with murder ! As you said one of the Top agents. . . .

I do not get it.

Aug 03, 2008 12:32 AM
Frank & Jodi Orlando
Frank & Jodi Orlando Get Us A Home Realty Atlanta Homes Sale - Cumming, GA

It is a habit that once started it seems to be unshakeable. In the world of real estate where there is so much time for transactions to finish, it is inevitable that a liar shows their colors inevitably. I have also had the experience w/ a top agent, and her clients were no better...

Aug 03, 2008 12:57 AM
Tom Davis
Harrington ERA,DE Homes For Sale, $$ Save $$ Buy Today ! - Dover, DE
FREE Delaware Homes Search!, $$ Save $$ - Find Homes! Delaware Realtor

LIES LIES LIES!! Your career will not feel good if you LIE !  I have climbed the charts to # 3 for a fortune 500 company...and not a single LIE Is Necessary!!  Bottom Line:  Code Of Ethics, etc DON'T LIE !!

Thanks,

Tom Davis

World Class DE Realtor

Aug 03, 2008 02:40 AM
Kathy Anderson
Arizona Luxury & Lifestyle Living - Cave Creek, AZ
Arizona Homes For Sale

If I was his broker I would be afraid that his lies would put the company in a bunch of liability.

Aug 03, 2008 02:58 AM
Chad Baird
Re/Max Spirit - Dayton, OH

I don't think its just this business that attracts it.  He would likely lie in any profession.  Probely lies at home as well.  I was is the IT field for many years, talk about hearing alot of lies! 

Aug 03, 2008 03:04 AM
Jack Climer
Jack Climer Realty, LLC - Springfield, MO

That agent would not work at my firm..not my cup of tea...

Aug 03, 2008 03:20 AM
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire

Hi Bill...I agree with many of the other comments. This is not exclusive to Realtore. There are some people who lie because they always have and it works...they don't know how not to!

Fortunately for us and unfortunately for them they are usually recognised after time and never trusted again...trust is hard to get back and easy to lose!

Aug 03, 2008 11:40 AM
Kevin Whitty
Poughkeepsie, NY

A lot of realtors don't have a problem lieing

Aug 03, 2008 01:18 PM
Paula Swayne
Dunnigan, Realtors, Sacramento (916) 425-9715 - Sacramento, CA
Realtor-Land Park, East Sac & Curtis Park -Dunniga

Hi Bill!
We have had similar experiences.  We had a top producing agent who decided we didn't provide enough of what she wanted (mind you, we gave her every break in the book) so she left.  That was OK - even though she was a top producer, she was also a diva.  What followed was what was so difficult.  She convinced several other good agents that we wouldn't be around in a few years and so they left with her.  Now, we are healthier than ever and yet she is still bad mouthing us and still trying to recruit our top producers (we know because they tell us as they shake their head and her gall).  It is really frustrating.  The good news...we have filled those desks with some wonderful agents!

Aug 03, 2008 04:38 PM
Trey Thurmond
BCR Realtors - College Station, TX
College Station , Texas Homes

Bill

I agree with Lynn Harley. It is rampant and is sadly symtomatic of our society. Doesn't mean that we have to all practice that way , thank God! 

Aug 06, 2008 04:36 PM
BILL CHERRY
Bill Cherry, Realtor - Dallas, TX
Broker & Wealth Coach

TO EACH OF YOU

I really savored reading your comments and thinking about your wisdom.  Thanks for chiming in.

Since I wrote this post, the agent called to tell me one more lie --- I guess for good measure, since the file had already closed.  So interesting.

Aug 12, 2008 11:58 PM