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What are our values?

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Select REALTORS

I have been practicing real estate sales for 15 years and in that time I have spent countless hours learning my craft, either through the numerous hours of classroom learning or the many seminars that I have attended. I have amassed very specific knowledge about foreclosures, FSBOs, marketing, negotiating, mediation, legislative issues, just to name a few. I am proud of what I know and impart this knowledge to my clients to accomplish their goals.

 

My consulting role has increased as the more statistical data becomes available. I, too, believe that the "less is more" mantra, however I think as an industry we are our own worse enemies. My daughter is currently going to school to learn to be a hairdresser; she needs 1500 hours of instruction and on the job training before she is issued her license (not to mention a tuition of $15,000). Here we are selling the largest asset that most might have, and in many instances we only need 75-100 hours of instruction and then a single test and WALLAH...you have a license! Most would agree that the curriculum of the current licensing class is NOT practical and, although important, is not all that should be taught. The ease of entrance into our industry contributes to the non-professionalism of many of our peers; the mere fact that you are a "people-person" and "you like to show homes" does not make you the needed consultant to the consumer who is looking for the best advice in their largest financial transaction.

 

I believe that we should re-examine the curriculum of pre-licensing and increase the classroom hours, not for the sake of increasing the hours, but rather to provide meaningful instruction in the basics of real estate, to include a more understanding of the history of real estate, mediation, negotiation, marketing, financing, the role of the state and federal government, the history and understanding of NAR and the state and local associations, foreclosure processes and understanding, investing, 1031 exchanges. We need not reinvent the curriculum...it already exists in GRI, CRS, and all the other NAR-sanctioned  courses. We need to combine all of these courses into a general curriculum that truly trains licensees in practicing real estate sales. Additionally, these newly licensed  individuals armed with all of this knowledge should not be allowed to practice until they have assisted, under a licensed mentor, a certain number of listings and sales (say 50 transactions).

 

Surely, this will reduce the flow of new licensees and therefore threaten the brokers, NAR and state and local associations, but we should be looking at what is best for the industry and the consumer. I would not be concerned about doubling the cost of my dues if there were less Realtors®.  I realize that this could eliminate some people from entering the real estate business as it will "raise the bar", nonetheless, there could be establishment of conditional licenses that would allow for  showing agents, assistants, etc.

 

Our industry, which I love, as well as I enjoy, should re- assess our role and become more pro-active in designing a future that would benefit all parties involved.

Show All Comments Sort:
Al Maxwell
Keller Williams - Marietta, GA
Real Estate Agent
I agree that there should be some stricter guidelines. It might boost the level of professionalism.
Dec 04, 2007 11:49 PM
Anonymous
Anonymous
So true.  I"ve been amazed, over the years, at the type of people drawn to the profession.  No professionalism, little, if any, product/market knowledge, no ethics, no follow-through.  I'd love to see standards increased to weed out uncommitted,uninformed agents.
Dec 04, 2007 11:55 PM
#2
Jason Herzberger
Jason Herzberger - Baltimore, MD
I whole heartedly agree!  This industry has the lowes educational and maintenance standards of any State licensed profession.  We must start at the local level with out local Boards to push this agenda, and have them bring it to MAR.  From there we can fight it out in the legislature.  It'll be a battle, but it should be fun!!!
Mar 16, 2008 02:38 PM