I just read a post by a mortgage broker that really upset me. Can You Trust Your Real Estate Agent?
In this post, the author made assertions about the motives behind a Realtor's® actions that were less than flattering. In essence the point was that Realtors® work on commission and so we often "push" the buyers into higher offers if we represent the buyers, and "push" the sellers to accept a lower offer if we represent the sellers.
Wrong, wrong, wrong....on so many levels. But this post is not about refuting the negative comments about real estate agents, what I found interesting is that this seemed like an effort to elevate himself by diminishing us. Very dangerous tactic.
I wonder how common this practice is, though. I wonder if consumers feel a bond with someone who tries to play on their fears...and validates them. Let's be honest....buyers are afraid they are overpaying, and sellers are afraid they have taken too low an offer. They rely on the trust they have in their agents to help them make the right decisions. The sweeping generalization of this post was not only wrong, but demoralizing to the public for no reason.
And I do not believe that trying to tarnish another's image (or an entire profession) is the way to increase your own credibility.
From a marketing perspective....it was a colossal blunder. I'm pretty sure that mortgage brokers get paid when the loan funds also....so he looks rather silly criticizing us for working on commission. But also....what Realtor® in his/her right mind would recommend him to a client...knowing he's willing to throw us under the bus as "the problem." But more important is the concept that the way to build up your own reputation is to tear down others'.
Not in my opinion!
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