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You can lead a Realtor to training but you can't give him character!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC BK607690

There have been quite a few posts lately, about what can be done about unprofessional and untrained Realtors, including this one from me. Clueless Realtors, whether new to the game or seasoned “pros”, can really make our jobs a lot more difficult than they need be and give the consumer valid reasons to distrust Realtors. I think we can all agree that something needs to be done about it. The solutions, however, vary from more stringent licensing requirements, required training, mentoring, apprenticeships and shadowing to name a few.

My opinion has always been that the consumer should be able to rely on a Realtor knowing what they are doing. But let's face it, some things can be learned and some can’t. The following list are things I believe can be learned and in fact, should be learned, before conducting the services of Real Estate. These things can be taught in a classroom environment.

There are other things, that will take time to learn, that can only be learned in the field and by trial and error (experience). Examples are:

Then, you have the things, that I personally, do not think can be taught. These things you either have or you don’t. I also believe these are the most important.

Here’s the quandary, if you can find people to hire, that fall under the 3rd category, who are willing to learn, they will be successful. If you hire people that DO NOT fall into the 3rd category, they will never be able to learn these things, they will fail. That means that stricter licensing requirements and mandatory training programs will probably have no affect on our business. Maybe we should just implement character testing. What say you?

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Comments (36)

Dave Rosenmarkle
Highland Realty, Inc - Fairfax, VA
33 years of providing fully satisfying service!

Great post Bryant!

I never ceased to be surprised at the number of agents who fail miserably under the 3rd category. It's like, if the channces are good that we won't get caught (like falsely checking the "Owner Occupant" block), then let's go for it!

My personal and company policy is - Mistakes are expected and can usually be remedied; dishonesty and unethical behavior results in your license being sent to the Board, immediately - one strike and your out.

Fortunately, I have only had to send one license back.

Oct 29, 2006 09:35 PM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

"The Lovely Wife Here"

CAN I LEAD ANY OF YOU FOLKS OVER TO A GOOD CAUSE?

TLW "The Lovely Wife"...Kum La Ka Lakka...ROAR!

Oct 29, 2006 09:42 PM
Mary McKnight
Sacrilicious Marketing - Orlando, FL
Isn't that the truth!  Seems like character is something that is missing in many professionals today.  By simply having it you will set yourself apart from the masses.  We built all of our businesses on Christian principles and ethics and they have not failed us yet.
Oct 29, 2006 10:01 PM
Craig Schiller
Trempealeau, WI

Bryant-

Wow... if I just changed every place you used "Realtor" to "Stager" I could just about cut and paste this WHOLE blog and it would apply to the Staging Industry.

It just goes to show... basic universal principals of professionalism apply regardless of industry.

Me

Oct 29, 2006 11:16 PM
Leigh Brown
Leigh Brown & Associates, RE/MAX Executive - Charlotte, NC
CEO, Dream Maker - Charlotte, NC
I think if more people fell into category 3 in our market, our office would be much larger.  Instead, we choose to be smaller and have a higher quality associate.
Oct 30, 2006 12:01 AM
Ray Higdon
Forever Wealth Club - Fort Myers, FL
Just another example of everything depends on the person. I have met Harvard grads that I would never want to work with and have also met high school dropouts that were great people.
Oct 30, 2006 12:01 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time

Hey Ray, Thanks for the kudos! I did not finish High School.

Craig, You got that right. Charcater is the most important thing in any business and in life. Character will overcome everrything. Character is the one thing I have that nobody can take from me. I will guard it with my life!

Oct 30, 2006 12:24 AM
Susan Trombley
Trombley Real Estate - Wake Forest, NC
Broker/Realtor, Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngs

Bryant

You are so right and if that is not the way you would like to be treated do not do it to others. But for some reason others do not care if they are being treated badly and those do not need to be real estate agents.

Oct 30, 2006 12:33 AM
Lisa Dunn
Edina Realty - Minneapolis, MN
www.TwinCitySeller.com

Psychological testing for all REALTORS! We'll give them a full battery. The MMPI, the TAT, the RORSHACH, and then....the Broker Bryant Battery! 

Just to clarify-motivation doesn't mean ability to get out of bed in the morning...it means intent?

Oct 30, 2006 12:37 AM
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty
One of the many reasons we chose to move to Keller Williams is the focus on DISC and it's successor "DISC on steroids" to help identify the "right" candidates.
Oct 30, 2006 12:44 AM
Christine Adler
FindAHomeWithMe.com - Fort Lauderdale, FL
SE Palm Beach, Broward & NE Miami-Dade Counties FL
I think that we should look at the training of our agents. I think and have said it many times that there should be some kind of internship to be a realtor.
Oct 30, 2006 02:41 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time
Hey Lisa, I'm not to sure I would want my Psyche tested. It's very scary up there.:) Realtors are a very unusual breed. Some of us more than others.
Oct 30, 2006 03:07 AM
Lance & Elaine Wells
Connect Realty Boise Eagle Idaho - Eagle, ID

It all begins with Attitude, that determines your Altitude

Oct 30, 2006 04:02 AM
Marguerite Crespillo
Marguerite Crespillo - Roseville, CA
I think you need to be President of the Realtors!  Great Post.  I am bookmarking this one!
Oct 30, 2006 04:31 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time
President of the Realtors! Nope, no politics for me. Just keep doing my thing and living my simple life. I'm too much of a recluse. If I had my way I would never leave my house. Is that sad or what?
Oct 30, 2006 04:36 AM
Kaushik Sirkar
Call Realty, Inc. - Chandler, AZ
I haven't seen it broken down into the 3 categories, as you have, before.  Very nice way to look at it.
Nov 01, 2006 09:00 AM
Bonnie Erickson
Tangletown Realty - Saint Paul, MN
My broker has an unspoken rule which shows the depth of his character (in my opinion).  He will never become a business associate of someone who cheats on his/her spouse.  The reason?  If you would betray the closest person in your life, you will certainly betray your business partner.  It makes sense when you think about it.  The values run deep.  And my fruit is "can't a-lope"!
Nov 01, 2006 04:23 PM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Excellent Bonnie...If I understand correctly from what I know you will bo be loping anytime in the future. You have "deep value"...

Nov 01, 2006 08:50 PM
Monika McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH
Southern NH & the Seacoast Area
Great topic. I teach Ehtics and it always amazes me as to how much new agents don't  know or don't SEEM to care about  ethics.
Nov 03, 2006 11:53 AM
Angela Petre
Keller Williams - Stoughton, WI
eAgent, REALTOR

Excellent post! 

I would have to mildly disagree with the statement that category 2 cannot be trained in a classroom environment. 

The things you have listed in category 2 ARE trained in the classroom in KW's CAMP 4:4:3.  Of course, you have to practice them to be effective, but they can be taught in a classroom environment. 

My worry about character testing is:  if the candidate doesn't possess those qualities, what's to keep them from lying on the test?! 

Nov 09, 2006 12:41 AM