Should Real Estate Agents Speak English??

Maggie,

It is almost as if you read my mind! =^) Great post!

Maggie - I need to preface my comment by saying that my father is Guatemalan and my mother grew up in Peru and Guatemala and as a teacher that retired last year she taught ESL for 20+ years. - They both are fluent and it's such a gift.  I spoke spanish before I spoke english but didn't keep it up  (;-( - I took spanish through high school and took 2 years in college but still can't do business in it - it's one of my only regrets in life (I'm not one that lives with regrets - but I realize what an opportunity I squandered as a child)

I wish I were bi-lingual and those of you that are have a huge asset!!! Lucky you - and oh, by the way we're so lucky to have you!!! Don't let anyone ever let you think differently!!!

Now for a funny story - when Jack & I were interviewing for job transfers to Florida - we we offered Miami, Orlando and Tampa - you know we ended up in Tampa - but the funny thing that happened is when I asked the Branch Manager that I would have worked for as a consultant to medium size businesses in Miami, "Do I NEEDED to be Bi-lingual" - he said "NO, I didn't need to speak ENGLISH" (LOL) :-) - I am thankful to this day that he was brutally honest!!! It all worked out and as much as I love Miami - I do believe being bi-lingual is a real necessity to business people there except for companies like FPL. 

Hope I made you chuckle! Your friend in Clearwater!     

of course you cannot represent your seller if you cannot speak the language of the country you are in.  You cannot help them or the buyers with mortgage, title, insurance or other critical documents (how about condo docs!!!)

someone came in our office today complaining their listing (with another brokerage) was not showing...

here --->>> is what was in the MLS ... "Beatiful  (beautiful) incluiding (including)  bethroom (bathroom)  trhoughout (throughout) 

What taste in your mouth does that leave you as a buyer representative or the buyer of the conscientiousness of the SELLER??  It even can subconsciously tell you that the seller pays little care of the agent they hire and how their house is presented to the public, then what does it tell you about how they cared for the house!

I lived in Germany for five years and did not speak a WORD when I moved there.  I LEARNED and would never, in a million years, try to represent someone in such a tremendous financial transaction as a bar tab if I didn't speak the language WELL!

Great post Maggie, as always!  What is our dear state THINKING?  R.E.V.E.N.U.E.!!!!

Hi Maggie,

I here this topic every day and I think it's most important to do the right thing for the customer!  No matter what language you speak, it's very important the customer knows and understands what they just signed and, of course, it's important to everyone in the transaction to be able to read and understand it.  By the way, I'm originally from Miami, but live in Broward and Beth has told me what a great person you are.  Maybe we will meet one day!  JoAnn  PS I'm new to this, so bare with me!!

Nice Post, you drew alot of commentary.  I have struggled with this issue in my own practice.  I am considering adding a staff member specifically for that Hispanic customers.  They deserve the care and understanding that the rest of us enjoy.  The problem with language is not all words tanslate the same.  So some minor twist could change the whole deal.  I do think you can get by and I said, "get by" without speaking english in the Florida market and other areas of the country.  Do I think it is in the clients be interest no.  Do I think people making their home in the US without regard to anyone coming here should speak english...yes.  Do they have to after they know and understand it....no.  It will just open lifes doors if they take the time.  Great Post....it brings issues to the front page. 

What a great post Maggie and obviously struck a chord with many.  I'm all American but my Mother is part Mexican and although she speaks fairly fluent Spanish (as her Mother/my Grandmother was Mexican born), my father wouldn't permit us to speak Spanish.  He felt we were American and that was that!  How could he have known back then in the 50's what would become of this country.  Now, I'm at an obvious disadvantage and it makes me crazy to know that I had one Spanish speaking Grandmother and an Italian speaking Grandfather yet I know nothing of either language.  Sure, I guess I could learn it on my own but just think how lucky I might have been to have learned it as a child.  Oh well, I digressed.  I do feel that when in Rome (America) do as the Romans (Americans) do and that's speak English!  I find it just a bit insulting that my Grandmother knew enough to learn and speak English as an immigrant and Bob's own Mother is Swedish born as well and came to this country and learned the language.  She still struggles alittle but Bob doesn't speak Swedish - he speaks English!  Oh well, we are after all the melting pot and as they say "only in America"!  Viva la difference!!!  Thanks for sharing a great post! 

P.S. - It is alittle tough to work with agents that are difficult to understand and with all the different nationalities, there really should be one universal language in our Country - "English"? 

Hi Maggie,

As long as they are still children - it's not too late!  Try to get them to learn alittle bit.  Believe me, they may not like it now but they'll thank you later on.  Take it from one who knows.

To me, English is the language of business - internationally. The ability to speak English and Spanish is a great advantage in Florida. I really wish I had paid more attention in my Spanish classes! I know - It   isn't too late to learn!