Incredible. Realtors have lots of "Codes of Ethics." There are theoretically, at least in Texas, laws in place to protect consumers. There is even a Texas Real Estate Commission that has a big budget, staff, and the appearance of maintaining the practice of real estate as a "regulated" profession. Problem is, it is little more than a display for the appearance of regulation and control in an industry that runs rampant with daily violations of the very standards it claims to uphold.
So you think I am just down on Realtors? Well, you are right. I can only speak from my own personal experience, and that involves the interactions I have had with agents, brokers, and even the large company brokerages scattered across the country. That experience has taught me there is one code above all others in the Realtor world, i.e., just go along, get along, take your money, and don't let ethics get in the way of business. Sound harsh? It is. I am disgusted. I am sick of seeing consumers getting treated unfairly, misinformed, misguided, taken advantage of, cheated, held up, deceived, and ripped off.
Real estate transactions can be complex. There are emotions, finances, repairs, codes, surveys, inspections, appraisals, legal issues and a whole lot more that can hinder a property exchange. A real estate professional, with the proper training, experience and skill can provide a true service to a client in navigating through this process. I have often heard trainers state" Always be the source of the source and never have an original thought" for the sake of covering your own butt in a transaction. I say that is hogwash. If my doctor, lawyer, tax accountant, or other professional doesn't ever have an original thought to offer, I frankly don't need them. We have books. We have the internet. I can be sitting on the edge of the Grand Canyon with a laptop computer and look up every bit of information known to mankind. I don't need a parrot or a form printing idiot when I am needing an expert. I need an original thought. I need someone who can use their own brain and help solve my problem. But what I also need is honesty and ethics. That is where the breakdown really starts. In Texas, it is almost impossible to file a complaint against a Realtor. Any agent doing so must disclose their full name in the process. Talk about suicide! Go complain against one of the top brokers in your town and then try to work a deal with them in a month. Are you kidding me? There is no real accountability for Realtors. It is all a public show for the furtherance of the trade.
So that is the current state of affairs in real estate. Ethics and morals are high on our talking points list to clients. Big real estate firms espouse the highest standards of professionalism and "caring" but put agents out on the street with absolutely no experience or training. Violations of the Code of Ethics run rampant, but nobody is watching and nobody cares. Despite the public persona, people are getting more and more cynical toward the profession, and rightly so. People will wake up. They will find ways to avoid utilizing Realtors at all, and it will happen because of Realtors themselves. What a shame. Who will stand up for change? Anyone?
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