Special offer

Are You Genuine?

By
Real Estate Agent with Charles Rutenberg Realty

I was working with a buyer's agent a while back on a deal for one of my listings and it struck me that the buyer's agent looked nothing like her business card or her web site picture. The photograph had to be at least ten years old.  It was as if she was two different people compared to what was posted on the internet for people to see and how she looked recently.  The funny thing was it was my client who first noticed it and commented that she (my client) would never trust that agent because she was not genuine since she was using an old picture.

I get a lot of flack from my fellow agents about my picture and even my broker has commented that in it, although current by three months, I am not smiling.  All my colleagues say I look too serious.  I have pondered this criticism for a while now and I have come to the conclusion that to me and my picture, I have always believed real estate is serious business and my picture should reflect this philosophy.  I am taking part in transactions that directly affect people's finances and lives. I am not going to present a picture that does not reflect who I am.  I will not pose with a fake smile, tilted head and hand under my chin in a cheap Rodin rendition.  My profile picture was done by a professional photographer and is simple and straight forward, a true representation of who and what I am about, a no nonsense, get the job done serious business real estate agent.  I'll smile after the deal is done and my client is happy and satisfied.

To further support my belief, I decided to start quizzing my clients about this little picture situation.  Guess what?  Every one of my clients has said they love my picture and urged me to stick with it.  They all claim it fits me to a T.  One client even said he chose me just because of my picture, he wanted someone who was very serious and would get him a great deal and felt I was his guy.  Needless to say I came through for him.  So will I stay with my current profile picture?  You bet!  Why?  Because it is a genuine representation of who I am.

 

So, are you genuine??????

 

Comments (4)

Jordon Wheeler
The Jordon Wheeler Group - Fairburn, GA
J W Group Real Estate Sales and Service

Hey Brad,

Your opening paragraph grabbed my attention because it reminded me of a recent closing I had.  I had never seen the listing agent face to face or a picture of her.  So when she handed me her business card with her picture, I was a little shocked.  She did tell me she had been in the business for over fifteen years.  The picture looked fresh out of college.

Glad to see you're sticking with what works for you.

Best of SUCCESS to you sir!

Sep 04, 2011 01:25 PM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hi Brad,

You know it's funny how REALTOR photos have been fodder out for such a long time now. I recently over heard 2 radio guys talking about the same thing, they said something like "you know it's like one of those realtor photos..."

And truthfully I've been guilty of it myself in the past, but no longer, I usually take them myself. Btw, one really POSITIVE thing I've experienced is people really get a good idea of you in your videos. I can't tell you how often I actually hear that when I meet someone for the first time that has viewed one or more of my r.e. videos.

Sep 04, 2011 01:32 PM
Karen Winters, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Koenig Rubloff Realty Group - Chicago, IL - Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL

I like to check the MLS photos of the other realtors I'be meeting with on showings.  Unfortunately, checking their photos only helps me half the time. 

Sep 04, 2011 03:30 PM
Brad Jenkins
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Tampa, FL
BA Psy-ABS
Jordan -thank you sir and all the best to you. Lynda - old photos are just part of the overall bad rep we have to fight. Thanks so much for posting. Wish you the best. Karen - Here in the Tampa area we are closer to 30%. Lol. Take care
Sep 07, 2011 05:56 AM