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Is it too much to ask?

By Bob Prevelige

Mortgage and Lending with Zenith Mortgage Advisors NMLS# 5016

April 07, 2011 03:22 AM

Realtors of the world.....I need some help.

I had an event last week, where I flew Rick DeLuca in from the west coast, and hosted a seminar for the realtors I work with.

Rick is a well known, well respected speaker, with a very full schedule. I provided the venue, 2 meals, and the presentation itself, all for one low price of NOTHING. We hosted a networking mixer after the "main event" so people could get to know one another and potentially pass referrals.

I invited about 125 people by email 3 times over the course of 4 weeks, and about 70 never responded. I know they got the emails because I tracked delivery. I even called a few directly and left VM's, with no response.

The presentation was for realtors, by a high producing realtor. No sales pitches, just a service courtesy of Zenith Mortgage. Why wouldn't someone at least say "no thanks"? I was pretty surprised at the lack of social grace in a relatively small industry. Am I missing something? Are mortgage professionals offering this all the time, and it becomes background noise?

Maybe I overestimated the value to "most" realtors. I would go see a renowned speaker on my own nickel let alone someone elses...wouldn't most professionals want to get better at their craft?

Seriously, I need some feedback please. Did I expect too much?

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Matt Kirkpatrick

Washington, PA

Sorry you ended up wasting your time and money on this. it sounds frustrating

Apr 07, 2011 03:28 AM

Mark R. Hardy

Short Sales, REO, New Builds, First Time Buyer - Mesa, AZ

Short Sale Specialist Realtor - Mesa AZ

Boy this sort of surprises me. Most of them are probably either really busy (which I doubt), or just have failed to see the value of the presentation (which is unfortunate). You would be surprised at how lazy most agents are. The fact they some of them never returned your call or even answered their phone is quite disturbing to me. However, I am not privey to all the facts so these are just problems I have run into with other agents myself.

Apr 07, 2011 03:31 AM

Jason Belmonte

Prudential Fox and Roach - Atglen, PA

www.cecilcountyhomesearch.com

No you aren't expecting much at all. Some people feel to not respond is their response, which is not an excuse for not responding and some people are just rude!! I think it was very kind of you to do this. The ones that showed see it and I'm sure it will benefit you with more of their business.

Apr 07, 2011 03:35 AM

Anne Lok

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Toronto Realty - Toronto, ON

Toronto Modern Real Estate

Bob, I find that an "average" realtor is not interested in the pursuit of knowledge. My office always host speakers seminars, and they are usually at 10am in the mornings. Half of the realtors would rather sleep in than make a special trip to attend a good seminar. The seminars that actually got a decent attendance are the ones that grant CE credits or offering some kind of reward in exchange. Returning a not-for-profit phone call is also not on most agent's priority list.

Apr 07, 2011 03:40 AM

Bryan Robertson

Los Altos, CA

When I was the local district chair and set up meetings with great speakers, I was amazed at how many times we'd have people blow it off to have coffee with friends or go on tour or anything else. We so often try to educate and the agents just continue on their merry way. I think it comes down to the fact that many don't work as though they run a business, just a job. As such, they often lack the motivation to attend events.

Apr 07, 2011 03:58 AM

Robin Dampier REALTOR®

Coldwell Banker King - Hendersonville, NC

Hendersonville & Western NC Real Estate Source

Wow!! I find your experience in offering a well known real estate professional to speak to local licensees on your dime beyond rude and shameful. I can understand it leaving a very bad taste in your mouth and in your opinion of sales associates in the real estate world.

Here we are in a service related business where consumer service is so important and these invitees didn't even have the courtesy to respond yea or nay. Shame, shame. No wonder realtors get a bad reputation that is harmful to those of us who care.

Sue of Robin and Sue

Apr 07, 2011 04:16 AM

Rob D. Shepherd

RETIRED - Florence, OR

RETIRED

Sad to say in our office of 20, I would show and we have about 3 more maybes. The rest don't give a shXX about anything and probably would delete your email with out opening it. We had fun awhile back when Oregon changed to Zipforms and they all deleted the needed link without considering it. Not what you wanted to hear, just my 2¢.

Apr 07, 2011 05:58 AM

Bob Prevelige

Zenith Mortgage Advisors - Hopkinton, MA

CMPS

@Matt, While it was a bit frustrating, the people who did attend had a wonderful experience. We all learned or re-learned techniques, and 2011 will be more productive as a result.

@Mark I'm glad to hear that it seems odd to you as well. I was saddened that people are so disinterested in their own careers.

Apr 07, 2011 06:11 AM

@Bryan, It is shocking how few people, as you said, run their business like a business. They take little pride in professionalism and growth. That's why I spend time assisting and developing those who do.

@Rob, Your $.02 is appreciated. I guess I gave the "average" realtor too much credit. I'll screen the people who are mor interested in growth and development and ignore the rest!

Apr 08, 2011 02:40 AM

Edward moloney

Edward Moloney Loan Officer GMH Mortgage Services - Holliston, MA

Loan Officer Providing 5 STAR SERVICE

Bob,

If I have said this once I have said it a thousand times deeper with few is the key. Fact is many are fighting just to survive today with that said many realtors are doing this part-time at best. They may find that it is not a good use of their time to respond to your request. Sad but true. Great job brining value to others

Apr 09, 2011 08:49 AM

Is it too much to ask?

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