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Lessons Learned

By
Real Estate Agent with Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 228209

 

EthicsI received an email from a potential customer from my website a few weeks back. Of course, I responded and started working with this very nice couple who are looking right in my area for a home.  Anyway, we set out one day last week and toured about 8 homes in the area and at the end of the tour, they thanked me and confirmed that we are definitely going to be partners in this business transaction, that I am their Realtor®. 

Then, the wife proceeded to tell me that her agent in FL had told her that she would refer them to an agent here in Charlotte.  After chatting with me, she then asked who it would be (just to see if her agent recommended ME). 

 

The agent said she didn’t know an agent personally but, she would locate one for her.  Then when she told the agent that they had started working with an agent here (me), and that we were headed out the next day, the agent told her to let her know my name so she could make a REFERRAL to me before we headed out on Wednesday! 

 

Can you believe that?

 

My client told her that she didn’t need her to 'make a referral' because SHE (the client) was the one that had found me! The agent actually argued with her!  Thankfully my client has bought and sold enough homes, is quite business savvy and KNOWS that the agent's 'scheme' was just WRONG!

This client lives in a hot area and was just getting ready to put their home on the market. Luckily they had only met with the Florida agent and established a plan for the sale of their home but, hadn't signed a Listing Agreement with her.  The clients said that her 'greed' has opened their eyes to this agent's business ethics and that they will NOT be using her in FL to sell their home. The client said that she saw what a money-grubbing person this agent was! I just sat and listened and shook my head in dismay.

Debe in Charlotte


About the author:


DebeMaxwell is a Charlotte Residential Real Estate Broker, CRS, Certified Neighborhood & Relocation Specialist, ABR&e-PRO who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Charlotte NC Metro Area. If you're relocating to or from any other area of the country, Debe connects you with any member of her team of relocation professionals in your destination or exit city of choice.  The destination service is of no cost to you!  The Maxwell House Group's quality service guarantee puts this team far ahead of the competition, providing unsurpassed customer service is their #1 priority!    DebeMaxwell -- RE/MAX Executive -- 704.491.3310

Copyright ©2008 By Debe Maxwell, All Rights Reserved...**How NOT to Offer a Referral!**


Disclaimer: All information provided by this author is strictly an opinion, is not guaranteed, maybe based on information collected from several sources, which may ormay not be deemed reliable at the time of researching this article andmay be time sensitive.


Comments(36)

Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

Debe That is amazingly absurd behavior on the part of the other agent.Galling in fact but I am glad you still got the business and did NOT have to pay an unwarranted referral fee!

Oct 22, 2008 02:55 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Well, I have been chair of the Greater Manchester Nashua Board of Realtors for 2 years now - and I am truly horrified by some of the thing Realtor(r)s do.  I just don't get all the greed!  On the other hand, when I look at the country as a whole, I guess it is everywhere.

Oct 22, 2008 03:56 PM
Anonymous
Not Yet Licensed

The client said that she saw what a money-grubbing person this agent was!  I just sat and listened and shook my head in dismay.  Not only did this agent lose the 'referral' fee (which she never deserved to begin with) but, she lost the commission on a $1M + property!

Good evening Debe,

This post is an instant classic!  Where's your gold star?

Oct 22, 2008 06:13 PM
#19
Don Rogers
Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO
Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

Debe,

Very good points and very much appreciated.  I think that you should have a feature here.

Oct 23, 2008 12:43 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Russell:  I know--that did take alot of nerve!  You know I will gladly provide a referral fee--when it is warranted!  It's amazing to me that someone would even think to ask AFTER the fact!

Joan:  You're right--most agents are true professionals but, it only takes one bad apple...

Bruce:  Thanks so much!  I guess the AR folks haven't gotten to it yet! ;-)

Hi Don!  Thanks so much!  I sort of felt that this one was gold star worthy!! LOL

Debe in Charlotte

Oct 23, 2008 01:10 AM
Tony Favata
First Class Properties - Milford, DE

Wow. Some agents...

Oct 23, 2008 01:22 AM
Kelly Sibilsky
Licensed Through Referral Connection, LTD. - Lake Zurich, IL

Debe, my first thought was that the Florida agent sounds like a one-woman relocation company! Greed is a very ugly thing - and I'm so glad your new clients found you on their own!

Oct 23, 2008 01:23 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Tony:  I know, REALLY!

Hi Kelly:  You're probably right!  It's okay to be a one-woman relo company IF you do it ethically!  I'm SO proud of my clients and only wish that I was a fly on the wall when she sees their home go on the market with another agent!!  (that wasn't nice, was it?!)

Debe in Charlotte

Oct 23, 2008 01:57 AM
LaNita Cates
REMAX of Joliet - Joliet, IL

Unbelievable!  I've actually taken out a buyer and THEN he finds out at his job that there is a company or something they use for referrals and puts money back in the buyers pocket. He asked me about it and I laughed and told him that I found him through a lead, I wasn't referred to!

Oct 23, 2008 02:58 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi LaNita!  I've had that happen as well and it makes you crazy--I don't think they ever put the shoe on the other foot in this situation.  What if they offered a service, began working with someone and then that customer decided that they wanted a 25% discount?  They JUST don't think it through.

Debe in Charlotte 

Oct 23, 2008 03:17 AM
Renae Bolton
Marketing 4 Realtors - Garfield Heights, OH
I'm your Professional Real Estate Marketing VA!

I always think, ok - this one takes the cake. Nothing else will surprise me about how Realtors (c) unethical real estate agents operate their businesses.  And then, I'll read another story like this one. Sad that she was so desperate for money (or just greedy??) that she blew it all around.  It just goes to show you.  It pays much better to play nice.

~Renae

Oct 23, 2008 05:00 AM
Phil Stearns
Caron's Gateway Real Estate - Stark, NH

It's crazy but we have seen that same case unfold at our offer...  These types of Realtors give the rest of us a BAD Name...  Phil

Oct 23, 2008 06:15 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Renae!  You know, I didn't want to ask alot of questions about her as I just wanted to get to another topic and not have them think that I was concerned about that almighty dollar too.  But, she did say that this agent was her preferred agent to list her home--I don't think she's new and I think that she's been around awhile.  It never ceases to amaze me that folks can sleep at night when they operate their business in such a non-ethical manner.  What goes around...

Phil:  Yes they do!  It is embarrassing to me, professionally, that she did that.  I don't like being compared to 'used car salesmen' but, I do know that ALL used car salesmen aren't bad guys--it's just what a few bad ones did to their reputation!

Debe in Charlotte 

Oct 23, 2008 07:49 AM
Teresa Harris
Lake Real Estate, LLC - Denver, NC
Denver . Lake Norman . Charlotte

Hey Debe, Well let's just tell it like it is.... these clients from FL are in the BEST hands now. I know they know they have found a jewel in Charlotte.... Good luck in your search!

Oct 23, 2008 04:37 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

I've had that happen too, sorry but it is too late. I like to know BEFORE they find me, BEFORE they call to give a referral not after the fact. I guess it is the nature of our business.

Oct 24, 2008 12:11 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Teresa!  You ARE a sweetheart!  Thanks so much--I'm sure they'll find something shortly!

Hi Missy!  Generally when someone asks me to talk to them about listing their home, one of the questions that I ask is if they've began their search in their destination city--then if they have, if they're working with an agent.  THEN and ONLY then, if they say NO, I ask if I can refer them to one of my associates in that city.  If they've found someone, who am I to say that I've got someone better OR ask if I can refer them to that agent?  I just don't know how some of these folks sleep at night!

Debe in Charlotte 

Oct 24, 2008 02:04 AM
Petra Norris
Lakeland Real Estate Group, Inc. - Lakeland, FL
Realtor, Lakeland FL Homes for Sale

Debe - It never seizes to amaze me what agents do to get referrals.

Oct 24, 2008 03:36 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Petra!  Ditto!  I'm just glad that this one got CAUGHT!  ;=)

Debe in Charlotte 

Oct 24, 2008 06:07 PM
Steve Hewson
KW Commercial Real Estate, LLC - Denver - Denver, CO
Denver Metro Comnulll Real Estate

Your clients have found a good agent in you.  You understand that taking care of a client is more important than the commission.  That is what will get you referrals in the future.

Oct 25, 2008 02:29 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Steve:  Well, THANK you!  You're right--it IS more important to meet the client's needs FIRST--the money will come...

Debe in Charlotte 

Oct 26, 2008 02:34 AM