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Lil Devil and Lil Angel: Know it all Real Estate Agents

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with CELLing Realty CalBRE #01445865

How many people have a Real Estate question they want answered?  Probably most of our clients and contacts, and sometimes even we (as Professionals) have questions.  We have questions and want answers, and getting someone to answer these questions without obligation is what a lot of us want. We want to know that who we call can be trusted and will help us.....but what happens when we don't get that feeling, and the Agent is a "Know it all!"

Graphic of Real Estate Questions

The Lil Devil usually keeps his mouth shut when someone, or something, pops up that he doesn't like....but not always!  And today is one of those days. 

 

There are a few things the Lil Devil just absolutely deplores....... 

 

1)  "Know it all Real Estate Agents " that love to give advice to someone else's client or customer....you know the type:

     Lil Devil-  Da*n I'm Pi** ed off! A prospective client emailed me about their property, and all was OK until they asked about the cost.  I gave them the breakdown and was later told I was ripping them off.  Why....cuz a "Friend" who is a Real Estate Agent told them so. I sure would love to tell that Agent what I think of them, and how dare they insinuate, if not out and out say I was unethical!

I am fed up with all of you that tell your "friends" what to do when they contact another Agent, show some respect for the other Agent!!! 

     Lil Angel-  Many companies have different Business Models, and since Real Estate is a business, it too has different models.  So many of the old Brokerages are used to one way of working and don't always agree with, or understand some of the other ways. How many people do you know that don't use the Internet except for the MLS, and probably email?  We all know people like this, but that doesn't stop us from Blogging, Twittering, or Syndacating our listings with whatever sites we use.  We don't work like some other Agents we know, but no one says we are "ripping our clients off."

 

 2)  Vendors or other Real Estate Agents that want to sell me their "newest and best" info on how to do Foreclosures, Short Sales, or Loan Modifications......

     Lil Devil-  Stop calling me!!!!  And another thing, I don't like people taking advantage of others misery.  Yes, I know that people need to know what to do if they're losing their home, or behind in their mortgage.  But it won't be me charging them, I'd rather give them the info.  I know what it's like to be scared, and not know where to turn.  It goes against everything I stand for to charge someone when they can get this info from HUD for free!  So call someone else with your scheme for getting rich!

     Lil Angel- I know that every problem has a solution, and charging someone for Foreclosure info can be OK for some, it's just not OK for me.  And when everything is said and done, we all have to decide for ourselves what we are comfortable with.  However if you are scamming people, or just trying to make as much money as possible in this niche, accept it when I tell you I'm not interested.

 

3)  Real Estate Agents that are a liability to their Broker.......

     Lil Devil- Do you have any idea of the damage you are doing to other people when you do 1/2 A**ed work?  The prices you turn in for BPO's can have a negative impact on people, so don't you think you should at least give more than just a 1/2 A**ed report?

     Lil AngelMany Agents are doing BPO's here in So Cal without their Brokers knowledge...that's against the law, since no compensation is to be paid directly to an Agent, it has to go to the Broker.  There are reasons for this, and one of those is the Broker is ultimately responsible for everything an Agent does. If a rogue Agent is out doing their own thing where is the accountability, the feedback, the training?  The Public and Banks are at risk, and so is the Broker! 

The same goes for what we do online, or what we tell clients. I heard of someone that told a prospective client that their house was in a crime area and not worth anything....oh gawd who would like to be that Agents Broker?  And imagine if you were the one supervising that Agent and got the phone call.  Brokers (or Principle Brokers in some states) need to train their Agents, and Agents need to follow the rules!

The Public counts on us to be Responsible, Honest, and Knowledeable.......isn't this the way our Profession should be?

 

By: Kathy McGraw- Veteran, Former Peace Corps Volunteer, Former Little League Manager, Pop Warner Commissioner, Rotary Member, Foster Mother, Mother, Grandmother, Artist, Writer, and Photographer.....in other words someone JUST LIKE YOU  that sells Real Estate in Riverside County CA. 

Richard Byron Smith, NMLS #184479
Mortgage Loan Officer, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation NMLS #2289 - Chattanooga, TN
Mortgage Loan Officer

Kathy,

The first two points really hit home for me - clients who have friend with superior knowledge about real estate, or in my case, real estate finance. And other professionals performing in a less than professional way. This impacts the profession, the compnay, and of course themselves, in addition to the client.

Thanks,

Richard

Apr 27, 2009 03:23 PM
Roland Woodworth
Blue Cord Realty - Clarksville, TN
Blue Cord Realty

Last week I had a Listing agent tell me how I should handle my buyer.. told me to shut up and listen until she finnised..... Hmm the little devil almost hung up the phone.. the Angel said.. Take the High Road

Apr 27, 2009 04:14 PM
Elizabeth Benefield
Montana Country Real Estate - Libby, MT

It's hard to be nice all the time. We do need to give out info to help people from loosing their homes. A lot of companies are making money on helping people staying in their homes. What do you do.

Apr 27, 2009 04:27 PM
Lana Robbins Realtor ® Licensed Real Estate Broker
Aloha Kai Real Estate - Clearwater, FL
Licensed in Florida, Washington, and Hawai'i

I hear you on the BPOs w/o the brokers knowledge.

Apr 27, 2009 05:27 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Kathy, I've been out of the rain for a few days, so glad I signed on today and caught this.  That Lil Devil is sure fired up :) and I don't blame him.  I think ALL professions should be "Responsible, Honest and Professional" and unfortunately.........there are always a few that spoil it.  Or try to...I believe (HOPE) consumers are starting to see though them.

Apr 28, 2009 02:05 AM
Allison Stewart
St.Cloud Homes - Saint Cloud, FL
St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904

Armchair advisors can be devastating to those "friends" who actually take their advice based on mere opinion and not fact.  Trouble is conjecture is contagious.

Apr 28, 2009 02:58 AM
Alice & Jim -- Team Hayes Realtors
Loveless Realty - Libby, MT
Double the Service - Double the Care!

Great post. Thank you for the thoughts and the information. Armchair Realtors/Advisors can be the worst.

Apr 28, 2009 04:56 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate

Mary K- Thanks....and have a great week :)

Mary D.- In Oregon it was like that too, so that means in some areas the flowers will bloom later, sounds good to me, and glad all is well :)

Hi William-Ahh gee....that's a nice compliment thanks :) 

Richard-Seems we all know someone that has been affected by the "helpful ones" and it does indeed impact the transactions, many times negatively as you said.  Thanks for the comment....

Roland- When I first read that I thought you were kidding....oh my goodness she didn't say that :)

Elizabeth- These are interesting times for sure.  Some will make money and some will lose it, but to me, as long as I don't lose my ethics and integrity I'm OK with whatever happens.

Lana- :)

Carole-You are so right my friend..all industries have this.  And although many of the consumers are getting better educated in this, there are still way too many that will suffer because they trusted the wrong people.  Or because the unscrupulous, or just plain "know it alls" put their 2 cents in where it doesn't belong.

Allision- good points :)

Alice & Jim-What are we to do LOL ....well except try not to do what we know we don't like in others :)

Apr 28, 2009 09:41 AM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Kathy,

Congrats on the feature!

Hopefully the DRE (in CA) and others are beginning to see the level of scamming that's going on with folks in trouble.

Someone called me after they paid another $1,700 to begin a loan mod for them, after 4 months the only thing the company could document was one email...one email is all they did in 4 months after charging $1,700.00!

Apr 28, 2009 01:57 PM
Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

Hi Kathy, I thoroughly enjoyed Lil Devil and Lil Angel's reactions to these scenarios.  Good stuff!

Apr 28, 2009 09:55 PM
Mary Strang
Viroqua, WI

Gee, Too bad they aren't wearing a name badge so it is easier to identify that Lil Devil one...

Apr 29, 2009 01:11 AM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Kathy - me I look for the Lil Angles life's to short to worry about the Lil Devils ...

Its a matter of perspective ... There is good and bad no matter where we look ... not all advice givers are Lil Devils ... while some may think of a person who in giving advice to a friend who asks gives advise that upsets another agent perhaps the adviser is the Lil Angel and the other agent is the Lil devil

Apr 29, 2009 05:43 AM
Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing and Online Advertising Consultant
Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision - Lake Geneva, WI

Kathy, Well your Lil Devil sure has a lot of thoughts but balances out your Lil Angel well.  They make quite a team.

Apr 29, 2009 06:30 AM
Diane Aurit
LKN Realty, LLC - Mooresville, NC
Lake Norman Real Estate

Kathy, I love this series and this one is no exception!  I think Lil Devil is great therapy because it allows us/you to vent without truly yelling at anyone:)

Apr 29, 2009 09:05 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate

Lynda- Your story makes my blood boil as I feel it did yours.  1 email in 4 months, they should be exposed and prosecuted in my opinion!  There are so many places that can help, but I know from experience that you get a lot of Postcards, and letters from people saying they will help you.  How does someone know which ones are good, and which aren't.......all of us need to help with educating people.  Thanks for sharing your story Lynda.

Hi Ann- glad you liked it :)

Mary- umm what a novel idea :)

Kathy C.- Your comment made me pause, and of course you are right....there are several Lil Devil agents, and several Lil Angel advice givers.

Rebecca- I don't mind the team, as long as the Lil Angel wins more times than the Lil Devil :)  We all have our own Lil Devils, and there are times I think they need to be able to have their say, but then step back and let the Lil Angel lead.

Diane- Great comment/observation, and by being able to identify we can rant, rave, agree, and then move on...safely without the need to confront :)

Apr 29, 2009 06:18 PM
Mara Hawks
First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL
Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

I am completely undone when I see the greed step forward in different situations..as you put it, 'taking advantage of another's misery'... this really kills my spirit. There is so much to discuss with your post here. Your Lil' Devil character creates the perfect forum for being able to articulate all of this shadowy stuff. The real application of our knowledge and code of ethics is a continuous study of the grayness...nothing seems to be simplay black & white. Reading blogs like yours and discussing issues openly here at AR, really helps to clarify focus and define the contrasts. I always love reading your blogs. Thank you for writing this series!

May 03, 2009 11:24 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate

Mara-Hi my friend....this series was not made Members Only mainly for that reason. Many of us, no matter what field we're in have to deal with the "gray" areas...you put it very well. Open Communication is the key to not only understanding, but to finding solutions to our day to day dilemmas.

 

May 03, 2009 12:35 PM
Ann Heitland
Retired from RE/MAX Peak Properties - Flagstaff, AZ
Retired from Flagstaff Real Estate Sales

Good one, Kathy. As always, I love your graphics!

May 03, 2009 04:54 PM
Ginger Harper
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage~ Ginger Harper Real Estate Team - Southport, NC
Your Southport~Oak Island Agent~Brunswick County!

Great Blog...Glad to read it too.

Take care,

Ginger

May 05, 2009 10:31 AM
Alice & Jim -- Team Hayes Realtors
Loveless Realty - Libby, MT
Double the Service - Double the Care!

Great post - good thoughts. Thanks for your wonderful writing.

May 15, 2009 04:14 PM