When Did Real Estate Become A Game?

I've definitely noticed the same thing. Nobody takes a contract seriously any longer. Do you think it is a California thing?

This dynamic is due to many things

1) Agents are taking buyer agency more seriously and this can sometimes mean a more aggressive approach to contracts and negotiations. 

2) The ongoing lack of education in our industry.  Many buyer agents don't prep their buyers well for short sales or foreclosures.  This lack of due diligence is a serious problem, IMO.

3) Agents are stressed.  I have seen many local agent's names come across my foreclosure lists.  Stress can make people behave poorly.

I call to verify that an agent received an offer but I don't call them to tell them I am writing one, typically.  The fact is, until the buyer sits down and signs the paperwork, you don't have an actual offer, just a thought. I have gotten many calls from agents whose clients were "going to write an offer" and then never got anything. 

I also use RPost which registers emails.  I know when an agent has opened my offer because they are all sent registered email.

I like the "We are trying to put a willing seller and willing buyer together so that each can move forward" and I do like win/wins. Either calling or e-mailing to let an agent know an offer is coming over is the least you can do. Alan is right when he says it's good to know if other offers are on the table. I will say that I have had to take my own views on the "low ball" offers out of the equation as sometimes the banks DO take them. I do however go over the comps when possible and advise on the possibilities of a counter, etc. But there are times when I am surprised that a low offer is accepted. Common courtesy and respect is needed working with buyers, sellers and each other. Great post! 

Karen, my latest agent pet peeve is simply returning phone calls. Is that too much to ask? Great list you put up there.

Just wait until the next generation of Realtors(r) come in and figure out how to send an offer to us using nothing but a Wii from their mom's basement.

Karen - I agree with your sentence, "This is not a game! We are not trying to outsmart short sale lenders or buyers or sellers or other agents. We are trying to put a willing seller and willing buyer together so that each can move forward. It should be a joyful experience on both sides."

The things that have bothered me most the last few years, is the eroding of the "Golden Rule" portion of the Realtor code.  What ever happened to treating others as you wish to be treated.  In their pursuit of the "game" they often have lost that goal.

Another tood post Karen......I enjoyed the read. I've bookmarked it for the future.

Happy Hlidays

Patricia/Seacoast Nh & ME

Hi Karen,

So many great answers that pretty much sum it up.  I have never known anything else - but I've been around 5 years.  There were so many agents cramming into the field that education was woefully lacking.  We still have them on all sides. 

Just today I got a comment on a blog (outside blog) from an appraiser requesting that I confirm the number of units in a coop complex for the purposes of her appraisal?  Huh?  I wrote a post about  the complex and I'm about 90% sure of the correct number -  but am I truly the best source of this information?    Wouldn't it be better to be 100% sure?  Isn't that a question for management?  Point is - we have no idea what those around us are doing.  I have no faith that anyone I don't have previous experience with is doing the right thing or just playing games.  

Right now - all I can do is do the best job I know how - try to figure out what the other guy could do to screw things up so I've got myself and my clinet covered and hope for the best.   But for me, this isn't new - This is my five year experience.  I'm kind of glad to hear it wasn't always this way.

It may be cold comfort - but I think every field is suffering from SOME of this. These are structural issues within our society. I expect more of the same in the future.  When we turn into a winner-takes-all society we become  "must win at all costs" people.

I feel your pain. I have it on both sides of the table this week, and it can get very frustrating. Buyers seem more interested in beating the crap out of a seller than finding a home for their family. 

Hi Karen -- You make many good points.  Sometimes a low offer is the new normal if the home is way overpriced to begin with.  If it's not and it's way outside the realm, that buyer's agent is doing the buyer a great disservice if that is their game plan.  There is no reason, regardless of content in an offer, for a lack of respect and common courtesy, which I must say, is lacking on a regular basis in my opinion.  I roll out the red carpet for other agents -- I want them to want to do business with me.  One can still negotiate hard, but fair, but still have a professional demeanor, objective, etc.

Hi Karen...Fortunately I have not had to deal with much of this (I do think it is mostly with short sales) plus most of the transactions I have are with other agents in my area and I know them. 

You seem to have hit a nerve with quite a few agents so I guess this behavior is much too prevalent and a waste of time, energy, and money.

I like to call when getting ready to write an offer to see what the current status is. It can sometimes make a difference in whether to write at all or it could make a difference in the type of offer to submit.

Kate

I agree...a lot of things have changed and not for the good! 

The world has lost its manners!

Hi Karen,

Seems to me giving birth is easier than getting a transaction closed these days. We all need to put our big boy and big girl panties on and do the hard work with a smile.....and if we can't do it with a smile, we can at least be cordial to one another.

Buyers submitting a number of offers, around here anyway, is an outgrowth of lenders insisting on looking at ALL offers that a seller receives.  Reminds me of dating.....if the person you are dating is also seeing other people, they can't be all that serious about you.....so why should buyers stop looking and wait months to hear back from lenders who are considering several offers?

The whole thing makes no sense at all to me.  As difficult as it is though, we all need to be nice, even if we are dealing with crazies.

Great post.

Crazy isn't it?   Real estate has a totally different landscape than when I began.

Karen, great post! This business may not be Survivor, but I would sure like to vote a few people off the island myself!

Karen, you make a good point.  It is the wild wild west out there in some places.  As the market slowed here things have gotten better.  People are taking things a little more seriously.  But last year, and the year before, there was straight pandemonium.  Thanks for pointing this out.  We can all (and should) do better.  Tni

Karen, you must have been reading my mind!  Real Estate is not a game, but a serious business and I appreciate your pointing out the annoying things that the "gamers" inject into our days.

Nicely done Karen.  I actually saw this on a re-blog, but had to come over and give you kudos.

Hi Karen-

Read this thru Chris Ann Clealand's re-blog, but wanted to thank you and connect directly.

I've been doing what I do for a long time, too, but only in the last few days did I understand the source of my frustration. Our market is crowded with a lot of agents who frankly, are a waste of oxygen: newbies that brokers/big agencies just add to their rosterr and put thru the paces; those in 5-7 years who experienced both highs and lows, and are not confident in their own business; and those with many more years who are just waiting for...well, for who knows what.

It has been thru the professional people in AR that I've realized I have been accepting bad behavior as an inevitable part of a bad market. And-a la` Peter Finch's character in the movie Network-'I'm mad as hell, and not going to take it anymore!' Even adopted a smokin' hot Wonderwoman avitar as I work this thing out...

ANYWAY-thanks again for the post-you never know how what you say will resonate with someone else!!