Jeff two really good points 

1. Beware of selling agents who price to high just to get a listing
2. Buyer and selling agents who do not return phone calls timely or just do not keep in touch...Yikes.

I just TURNED OFF the my Reviews on Trulia because a couple who wanted to see a rental home I managed thought I should act like a pop-tart Realtor and accommodate their request to see a TENANT-occupied property on their schedule...NOPE!  Not going to happen...

Jeff, Some agents just don't care about their clients, or doing the right thing. Some agents only care about putting money in their bank accounts ... it's sad but true. We raise the bar in real estate.

While every industry has its bad apples, most of those industries don't see the bad behavior of its employees play out on the public stage. 

Good morning Jeff. My compliments on your post, you sure do get it! It is too that many of us are painted with the same brush, but also our jobs to do it the right way, so the public has something better to judge.

We are all judged by the least among us and it gets frustrating.

Sadly, we also have to suffer the slings and arrows from fellow agents and brokers.

 

All the more important reason for those of us out there trying day in and day out to always do the right thing to keep on doing the right thing.

I would add a fourth one, not knowing what they are doing cause they view the business as a part time business and are not experienced. Great thoughts Jeff.

True that! I just love some of the descriptions I have seen in my 18+ years in the industry. I mean, OMG.

I've always maintained it's the low barrier to entry that creates so many perception problems for good / great agents.  All of us know too many who perform less than professionally / ethically.  Anyone who’s a good test-taker can study on their own and have a reasonable chance of passing the state exam.  Then they align with a broker who gives them business cards and pushes them out the door to write a contract they may never have read and/or can hardly explain to their client who is buying / selling the largest financial investment they may ever have.  Is it any wonder we’re viewed much the same as ambulance chasers?

Tell it like it is, brother Jeff

I just received an offer for a Groupon for the licensing course. That doesn't help foster a reputation for professionalism in the industry. A Groupon! Smh

Whew! People who refuse to show their identities sure can be venomous!

My take on this is that good agents should quite worrying about that broad brush and just be the best they can be. 

The 80-20 rule exists in EVERY business - 80% just get by and 20% are worth every penny the earn. 

You're being sensitive about criticism of real estate agents, but you aren't the only ones who are given a broad-brush negative reputation because so many of their kind are either incompent or crooked. 

How about car mechanics, attorneys, policemen, and building contractors? 

In this list of those with dishonest reputations, real estate agents didn't even make the top ten. 

How would you like to be #1 - a Lobbyist? Only 6% of the population believes them to be honest. And only 8% trust our members of the Senate. 

Hi Jeff, great point of view. Odd that the work of a real estate professional is not better understood given all the communication going out on the internet. And I missed out meeting you yesterday at Lorrie's meetup. I hear it was a good one.

Very well stated Jeff.  Just had a long time client call me this morning asking a 'loaded question'.  "I'm not planning to sell, but just in round numbers, what do you think my house would sell for?"  I told her a price that we had discussed a few weeks earlier and she says "I got a letter from an agent who said she could sell it for 20% higher."  Which is totally unrealistic.  Lots of hungry agents who will set it at ANY price just to get a listing.

Agents have lousy reps because the industry has ZERO standards. It starts with NAR and goes to the local company - EVERYTHING is this business is about money; agents that just pay fees are the goal. Fees, classes, designations, web sites, blah blah blah....

 

They tell agents to pummel everyone they know with scripts that are from the 60's. Then tell them to send receipe cards, pens, magnets.....again because we need that money.

 

We are what we are because we cannot police ourselves. When the bar is on the ground, everyone can join. If we want to improve, at least 70% of "agents" should go - if you don't earn at last 50K after expenses find another job.

There are bad apples in every profession.  I just fired a painter.  That doesn't mean that all painters are bad ones. 

Perhaps Realtors would be more appreciated if we requested payment in advance like most professionals do.  

I think in our market it's a little more complicated than just inaccurate descriptions or over priced listings. Our market is littered with affiliated business relationships that leave consumers wondering whos best interests are really being served. 

True and as you say, there is much more. I'm always sad to hear that someone had a bad experience, but then again, it's that way in every field of work.  There are good folks and bad folks.  Wow #11 needs to be restrained!!

 

I am a buyer's agent and first thing I say when my client is excited by the pics about a property "pictures are decitful as well as remarks, so let's check it out ourselves". Really would like to see a more truthful property description out there

.

All true Jeff but I just read this a couple of months ago.

"Real estate professionals rank higher than lawyers, business executives, and advertising practitioners when it comes to the public’s perceptions of honesty and ethics, according to a recent Gallup poll.

In fact, real estate professionals received their highest rating yet in the poll, since Gallup began measuring Americans’ perceptions of honesty and ethics of 21 professions since 1976.

In the survey, 20 percent of respondents gave real estate professionals a “very high to high” rating on honesty and ethics. Fifty-seven percent of the Americans surveyed rated them as “average” when it comes to honesty and ethics."

I thought that was encouraging! By the way, at the bottom of the list...congressman.

Jeff you got a few people started!

I'm a lender and have worked with many excellent Realtors in the past.

Sure some are not very good but I consider all of us to be in the same boat.

Go back to work people...

Well I'd like to say it's a 80/10/10 rule.  10% list the most, 10% help buyers find the majority of the sales and there are the 80%.  These are part time agents, or those that are in the business for the easy money, they sell 3 or 4 homes a year and in some areas make more than a full time teacher.  There are quite a few that should read @ThoseCalloways book on Client's First.  One of the best Real Estate Agent guides to success written.  Those that complain about the bad agent should be thankful it's those bad agents that keep the really good agents in business.

Thanks Jeff!  Sometimes common courtesy and for that matter common sense mean very little in this industry.  Great blog and thanks for posting. 

To "ME".....While I appreciate your opinion, we are not all a joke.  I am inviting you to hang out with me for a week and I will prove to you that my services are well worth the commission that I earn.

Wow! Some very provocative comments about your post. Unfortunately, many of those commentators are simply angry over an incident or two if they were participants in a related real estate business and can't comprehend the consequences of their actions by punishing all RE agents for the actions of a limited few.

For example, would you punish all of your children when just one child commit ed a forbidden act? Think about it. If you did, you would be a moron IMO.

The broker is ultimately responsible for his agents who are not educated, trained or supervised to ensure compliance and represent his agency. If agents aren't doing things right, it's the broker who needs to police his activities and ensure he's compliant in all of his actions or terminate his contract.

Jeff - As others have already pointed out, there are bad apples in every business.  I was in the corporate world for many years and there were plenty of unscrupulous, dishonest, mean spirited, etc. people along the way but I also had the privilege of working with some absolutely quality professionals who I learned a great deal from.  Again, all we can do as individuals is the best job we can for our clients and try to leave the industry better than we found it when we ultimately hang it up.  And comment #1 was entertaining to say the least!  I'm sure some people feel that way but I believe that was posted as sort of a joke and not really serious. Perhaps I'm wrong!

That's what is so great about this site, a forum to vent a little and inform a little more.  Hopefully you'll strike a cord with someone who may see themselves in your post and try harder next time.

Sorry, I have to digress, because everyone uses the word "client" but they have no clue what it means.

Customer: a lead, a buyer or seller call, someone you just met.

Client:  Someone who you have a fiduciary RELATIONSHIP of loyalty, confidentiality, and full disclosure.

90% of consumers are "customers" to the agent.

Transaction brokers have "customers", not clients.

The reason that consumers dislike agents is not because of incorrect mls listing, or not returning calls...it is more serious.

 1. Many agents are plain lazy.  They don't stay educated, or understand what their duties are. 

2. They take short cuts and sell the consumer out for an extra commission. 

3.  Many misrepresent, or omit the truth.

Sorry, but I could say a lot more...

Eve

Some harsh comments here today. Wow. Some of the bad reputation comes from how agents are portrayed in the media, movies, tv shows, news reports where the news producers feel they really "got 'em this time," and can prove to the public they're doing their job, showing it's possible, plebes, you really can fight city hall. It's all delusion. The worst things I've heard about real estate agents come out of the mouths of brokers/agents and attorneys, and believe me, to @me comment #11, I've met a few with an IQ just above retarded.

Great post! We do all need to rememeber that what we do, impacts all of us. Fair or not, some will paint us all with the same brush.

Wonderful post and some good comments EXCEPT for "ME"  

  Why are you hiding ME? Did someone piss in your cornflakes? (sorry for the crude wording, it's the Boston in me)  You obviously must have had a really bad experience or you are just an utter moron or perhaps both...

 

You obviously have no idea what goes on behind the "scene's" of a transaction.  The tough negotiations with the other party, the lenders, the inspectors, the attorney's  To really piss you off I don't think our commissions are high enough.what do you think of that???

I don't buy the entire profession is a bunch of deadbeats!  OK that  may not be what you said but it does appear like an indictment of all. I, myself, am pretty damn good!

I don't do the items you mention, and neither do the 99% of the Agents STILL in business in this area. That bad 1% gets overly-proportional exposure.....

Some of them make the rest of us look so MUCH better to the public!

Just like a rotten orange in the whole crate of oranges - we only tend to remember that one rotten orange not that the whole crate had the sweetest, best oranges we've ever experienced!

What I've learned over the years is that the public who has had misfortune in their real estate transactions, are really vocal about it, and it casts a wide shadow on our profession as a whole.  Of the three issues you list as being a problem, I think #2 Communication is the one I hear the most complaint about.  It's not only the public that has issues with agent communication, or lack of, it's other agents as well!  

I agree with the fact that bad apples exist in all professions.  One bad experience does not make all Realtors incompetent or dishonest and it's unfortunate that many times this is the perception.  However, I agree that communication is a valid complaint and the lack of it can hurt our industry.  We need to just keep doing great work and eventually our work will speak louder than the voices of the disgruntleds.

I would encourage prospective buyers and sellers to really read the text of an agent's website, posts, etc. Seeing regurgitated content, multiple spelling errors, pompous brags like, "I'm the best", etc. is fair warning. I present myself professionally because I am a professional. And no agent should speak poorly of a colleague - not only is that bad form, it also tells potential clients all they need to know.

Jeff, you are dead on!!

Our clients need to be treated with the respect and honesty they deserve.  The only thing worse that a dishonest real estate agent is a dishonest car dealer - just ask anybody!! /s

It's no wonder that tempers flare and customers complain.  We don't deal in cracker jacks, we're talking about a lot of money at stake and if you're irresponsible with it heads may roll, figuratively speaking.  Two million licensed real estate agents roam our streets and a million of those are REALTORS.  That's a lot of "touches" so know that there are going to be some rumbles going on and there's not too much we can do about it except our best. 

The slow follow up always gets me.  But also the dud offers you sometimes get are interesting...not the low balls, no the ones that the buyers really cant buy.

Jeff I loved this post! You nailed it. I have never been afraid to call out what is a general lack of professionalism in our industry. Of course it is never to an individual but a group as a whole. The industry really needs a clean up. In the last week I have written another article similar to yours calling out post and pray Realtors. The only good things about these kind of real estate agents is they make us look great. Another real estate blogger Karen Highland also write a great article a couple of days ago titled home sellers expect more from your Realtor. I think she really nails it.

I believe a good deal of this comes from a few bad actors. Sadly, since it could only be 10%-20% of agents (pure guess,) and since there are so many agents across the country that's a big number. Perception is everything and bad behavior is remembered, nearly, forever.

Where does this stem from? Aside from the human nature aspects which abound and are wildly variable, I believe the barrier to entry (license requirements and broker emplyment requirements) into this licensed profession is just too low.

Nearly anyone who is not a crimanl can obtain a license in the real estate profession, but that does not make you a professional necessarily. That comes with character, ethics, education, know-how, and experience.

We are expected to police ourselves through reporting and other measures. How's that working out?

I agree whole-heartedly! I am a big advocate of tighter regulations to become a real estate agent to keep the riff raff out and the ones hoping for a quick buck without doing anything for it.

Your post has brought out a wealth of good advice for making things better for all of us.  

Regarding your comments on communication, I think some folks (mostly Buyer's Agents) tend to get a little preoccupied with the rate of response and/or hours in particular, that Listing Agents and Listing Brokers keep.  

Not all stores are open 24-7 and therefore I don't think it is unreasonable for anyone to take some time off every week.   If a Buyer Agent has questions and expects a listing Agent to provide an immediate response, well then this is just silly.  Could a sale be missed because the expectations of the Buyer or more often the Buyer's agent be lacking in patience?  Yes, I suppose so. 

However, I have always felt there are no real "emergencies" in Real Estate rather what some consider an emergency is actually just manufactured drama!

It is true that some agents are derelict in their duties to their clients but in my experience, those folks usually end up being short timers in this business anyway. 

Good communication is ESSENTIAL to good service and part of this I believe is providing the public with a "reasonable" standardard of expectation.  Some of the more "diligent" service providers in this business would like things to be on 24-7, the reality is they are not!

Great Post

Thanks,

Eric 

I think many of the negative perceptions that some Realtors have experienced is due to the fact that a seller's house does not bring as much as desired.

Someone has to take the blame, and Realtors are easy targets. Unrealistic expectations lead to disappointments, and it is always someone else's fault.

I was working with this one gentleman for months. Right before we closed on his home he said he didn't trust or like agents. Out of the blue. When I asked if I had done anything he said, no you were great. Then he proceeded to tell me why he hated them due to some incedent between his son and his agent. As the story unfoldeed, the son was wrong, the agent stood by their ethics yet the agent was the bad guy. Sign, hard to win...

I was working with this one gentleman for months. Right before we closed on his home he said he didn't trust or like agents. Out of the blue. When I asked if I had done anything he said, no you were great. Then he proceeded to tell me why he hated them due to some incedent between his son and his agent. As the story unfoldeed, the son was wrong, the agent stood by their ethics yet the agent was the bad guy. Sign, hard to win...

While the three items on your list may be problems, they are not the over all reasons for the bad rap.  Buying listings...sellers never want to admit they to often go with whoever promises the number they want to hear. Description of homes...just a bad joke to the public though it annoys the hell out of us trying to help our customers find their desired home because it wastes time.

No our bad rap comes mostly from lying, misrepresenting our actions, failing to take responsibility when we screw something up, being more interested in a paycheck than customers (except to the extent that they are a means to that end).   ...same as a used car saleperson.

 

 

I will not argue your points, but can we think of any business or profession where there will be bad reputations-attorneys, sales people of all stripes, big business, small business, and the list goes on.

Good Post - but it barely scratches the surface of the many reasons we rank just above used car salesman - - What! Oh no - - are we really below them now?

Jeff

I think you are right on. All of the professions that I know about including our federal, state and town governments, contractors etc. have people in them that are less than reputable in their professions. The person paying the bill is not the person these people are thinking about at all. However, I do feel, silly or not, that most of the Realtors that I know are good upstanding people who   do the best for the people they represent that is possible.  I think it is very unfortunate that often we Realtors come in at the bottom of the list just before or just after the car salesman when confidence ratings are taken about professionals. Often I want to ask " What more do they want from us, anyway?" Especially when doctors come in at the top of the list. But that is another topic.

Great post!  So glad you spoke to the issue of how we all represent the entire industry.  It is amazing the number of people who think they only represent the company they work for or the individual client they represent.  In my opinion, when we develop a standard wage we will be viewed as having a base standard. I think often anyone who works for commission is viewed as suspect. 

Good post and comments, much needs to be done including greater transparency and consumer education.

There is a bad apple in every occupation. I know for a fact that agents who don't answer their calls or buys a listing won't last too long. After all, isn't the success of our business based on reputation and referral? I can't control how my fellow agents operate, but I can have a good night sleep knowing how I practice and perform to best represent my clients.

All great points Jeff. These are all items I try very in my business to represent myself and the industry in. It's important to be honest and communicate constantly with buyers and sellers and give them a realistic expectation of how the transaction will go.

And in fairness to everyone, real estate transactions are pretty complex ..... a lender's, or an inspector's, or a title officer's misstep can send things careening offtrack in a hurry, and the agent, because she is the most visible participant,  gets stuck with the blame. 

Hi,

Timely post, I can only control my own actions and set a high standard and encourage others to do the same.  And I do find myself apologizing (sometimes) to new clients who have had a bad experience with a Realtor who was less than professional.  When I do get these particular clients, I go above and beyond to leave them with a great, professional and successful experience!

 

Steve

Sadly all these things happen too often.  There are those out for the quick buck, but long term integrity will count for more in the long run.

I have to laugh at some of the descriptions I have read.  Then, they have no more than 5 photos, none of the inside.  When I see these, I think what does the inside look like, if they didn't take any photos?  Why lie about or puff a home in the description?  The buyers or at least their agent will see the home and know the description is a lie.  As far as communicating, sometimes, I over communicate, but I feel that is better than not enough.  I used to be guilty of number 3, but realized I was hurting my clients, as well as myself.  bottom line, great post!!!

I never understand why some Realtors are even in the business when they don't answer phones, email, text, what is the point. Another thing why do agents put pictures in the MLS that are dark, sideways or blurry, doesn't make sense and you are not doing your listing or customer any good doing this. I just don't get it.

Jeff Fritzson: Frisco Real Estate Pro ~ it's a shame when "we" get lumped together, or so I feel! Generalizations are for the birds, not for me. The way I see it my reputation is my reputation. Even though I don't go to McDonald's, could you imagine going into a McDonald's where the service and food was below par and then claimg all McDonald's are bad? 

Oh boy how many more reasons could we come up with!  How about...poor attitude?

Great post and so very true. Of course as noted in other comments there are a few more reasons why the general public does not think highly of our profession or value our worth. But great reminder and hopefully a few of the 20% will see the post and make a change that will help them and the other 80%.

Jeff, all your points are completely valid. And let's not forget the "hard sell" agent.

Jeff,  what a super read, I'm glad I found this one during my travels. Thanks for sharing.