Just the other day I had a client pay me a compliment. It may have been the most insightful, and maybe even shocking, comment that I have heard, and it has not left my mind for one moment. The statement was "The reason we really like working with you is because you don't act like a Realtor."
Well there it is. I sincerely hope that hits many agents in the face like a coconut cream pie from five feet. The fact is, it may be the greatest compliment I have ever received. After being in the real estate and finance business for over 30 years, I am truly thankful that I don't "act like a Realtor." At least like most Realtors. You see this particular client had called me earlier to conduct a listing interview, but decided to go with a large company agent instead (who was a prominent lady that espoused high Christian ethics and morals in her dealings). They found this agent to be a bit too agressive, and decided not to use her services, before a single piece of paper had been signed. Next thing you know, when they call to tell her they planned to work with another agent, she turned into a screaming banshee.
Am I surprised? Not at all. I firmly believe, and have personally witnessed this type behaviour and worse from agents for years. If that was the sum total of bad things agents do, it could possibly be resolved by simply requiring some anger management classes for all agents. Unfortunately, that is the tip of an iceberg that could sink every Titanic sized ship in the ocean.
What could be worse than outright rude behaviour? How about signing and initialing contracts for your client without a power of attorney? Or misrepresenting yourself as a licensed broker, or handing out HUD keys to clients, or taking kickbacks from lenders, or paying buyers money under the table outside of closing, or sponsoring licensees that don't have the knowledge skills or ability to write up a sales contract, or, or.... How much more does it take for the profession to join the illustrious club of sleazy car salesmen, ambulance chasing attorneys and underhanded lenders? Can't you hear it? "Houston, the real estate profession has a problem." The public trust scale for Realtors has been headed down a fast ski slope, and it is no wonder why. Don't you always wonder how TV news cameras can go out in any major city on any night and film drug dealers selling drugs, but the police can't seem to catch them? The reason is simple...the police don't want to catch them. They know nothing happens and the perpetrators get off with a slap on the wrist. The real estate industry is no different. In my home state of Texas the state regulatory commision for Realtors is run by, guess who, a politically appointed Realtor. Is he a good guy? I don't know. He probably is and may have the highest ethical standards in the world. But he is in a system that will not tolerate the kind of drastic change that is needed to clean it up.
In Texas, complaints made by Realtors against other Realtors must be in writing and are actually provided to the guilty party. There is no hotline for anonymous complaints, or any way to report agent violations without disclosure of your own name. Can you imagine reporting a top broker in your area and then trying to work with them on a future contract? Maybe a witness protection program needs to be in place.
So there you have it. The perfect consumer protecting regulatory system. One that gives the appearance of safeguarding consumers by requiring high standards in the industry, that is run by the very people it is designed to keep reins on. Let me simplify it a little more. The wolves all got together, appointed some head wolves, and the head wolves are supposed to help the wolf pack stay fat and healthy while overseeing the protection of all the sheep. The wolves even publish their own ethical standards, promising to be nice to the sheep and only do what is best for them in every instance. It looks good from a distance. But up close, each and every day, the sheep get eaten. The wolves look the other way, because they too want some of the sheep to eat. It is disgusting and it is sad.
How about we step up to the plate and get real about being professionals? Let's kick those that are greedy, sloppy, untrained, unethical and immoral out of the the world of Realtors. If we don't, it is just a matter of time before the villagers all light their torches and come after us. And before this post ignites a fireball of agents defending themselves and their peers, just know, I am not an unhappy client who got burned. I am not a mortgage lender, politician or somebody just looking to pass blame. I am a real estate broker that actually cares. I care about the kind of bad treatment of consumers I have witnessed for many years. Does anyone else?
Comments(2)