Going Going Gone! The Unprofessional Realtor

Great post, and yes you are correct, despite the market being what it is, "real estate agents" are leaving the business in droves.  They have no idea how to generate or maintain business. 

I don't believe this market will cause the disappearance of the unprofessional real estate agent.  They will always be with us. 

Kathy, yes you're right it certainly has seemed to "clean out" the profession somewhat quickly.  I recently read a blog questioning what the renewal rate is on Realtor.org (NAR) for 2008.  Thank goodness for my office, Coldwell Banker Diamond Realtors...they are constantly offering all types of educational seminars and workshops.  After all, there's always room for more education...or was that an old jello commercial? ;)

Kathy,   Lots of untrained agents out there !  The training in my office is beloe where it should be and I suspect you could say that about a huge percenrtage of offices.  No question we need better ongoing education.

Here, Here!!  You are so right!  I got to a point that when a new agent called (you can always to tell when they are new)  to show my listings, I go with them whenever I can.  If I can't I call them 2 or 3 times and prep them to show my listings!  99% of new agents do not get basic training from their brokers.  I happen to be with an agency that has a trainer on board who is also the coach!  I resisted training classes at first (after all, there's nothing you can teach me, I've been around a while.....HA HA HA), but I got a BIG ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT real quick when the new agents were telling me things I didn't know.  NOW I go to all training classes and BRING MY ENTHUSIASM every time!!!  We have to communicate not only with our own offices, but with the local Boards to make training a priority!!  The scenario you described will happen again when the market picks up!!  Attention agents, if your office does not provide a trainer and you're a seasoned agent, volunteer to help an hour a week and mentor agents and give back to our profession!  It is not about giving away your "secrets to success", just about giving a helping hand with some basics.

Kathy, nice post. 

Let's keep in mind, though, that the unprofessional REALTOR is not just the one who is untrained and inexperienced; I've run into a few unprofessional REALTORs who've been around for a long time.  I'm trying to figure out the secret to their staying power!LOL!!

Many unprofessional Mortgage people are going too....About time. It is those in our industries that don't know what they are doing which give the rest of us a bad name.

Sean Allen

I don't think anyone in our profession can ever get enough education.  Our market is always changing, laws change, forms change and the only way we can stay on top of all of this and bring the best to our clients is to continually educate ourselves.  Of course an educated professional can still be un-professional.  It takes all kinds!

The % will stay the same but the gross numbers will stay the same. Very few agents are asked to step down and then not be able to catch on with someone else. The real change will come with the brokerage houses is my prediction.

There will always be the un-professional agent around. As is it is in any business. As long as the professional agent stay professional we will out number them and keep this business professional.  It is so unfortunate they are out there ruining it for us.

 

That's why it is our job as the "professional" agents to do our best to keep our customers happy so we can keep getting those referrals! Ultimately we can weed out all those "unprofessionals" giving us a bad name!

Hi Kathy, We actually know each other, and I must say for the most part all of Appleseed agents carry themselves in a very professional manner. Coming from the now defunct Foxtons, I can truly say that the one good thing I got from being with them for 6 years was looking and acting professional. It is so sad that most agents today don't take pride in Looking the part, at least if they don't act the part. I am a True believer of Dress For Success.  Clients would look at all of us more favorably, if most agents would stop looking like they just finished cleaning out thei garage or are going shopping at the flea market.  I would never trust my most precious asset or purchase a car never mind a house from a number of the agents out there with the exception of the few.   I always say at least try to look like you know what you are doing. LOL

It's unfortunate that we are now seeing untrained new agents claiming to be Short Sale experts when they have never listed, sold or closed even one Short Sale!