Symptoms of being a secret agent:
- The only number you give the MLS, office and your client’s is your office phone.
- You don’t return calls.
- No one sees you at the office, ever.
- Your office mailbox is overflowing.
- Your voice mail is full and can’t take new messages.
Do you know an agent who fits this profile? We all do. They are people who have gotten into a sales role and want to remain anonymous. How do they survive?
If you are a new agent and feel this fits your profile. Stop. You might reconsider your priorities. You can’t fail if you don’t try.
Christiansted, VI
They are also the ones that think having unknown customers, which have answered very questions, will result in a sale by encouarging them to do "drive-bys" and never meeting them.
We need to clean up our business habits and avoid working with as many of these kinds of pretenders as possible.
Apr 08, 2008 04:49 AM
Coldwell Banker - Studio City, CA
Perhaps they are part of the Witness Protection Program. However, it is a great disservice to their clients. It is okay not to want to market yourself, but you owe your clients maximum exposure to sell their listing. If a client needs you, they shouldn't have to shoot up a flare in hopes of getting your attention. Hopefully, these clients figure it out and leave these agents to the solitude they seem so desparate to get.
Apr 08, 2008 09:01 AM
Coldwell Banker - Hiram, GA
REALTOR - West Metro Atlanta
Hi Peter, if it is a new agent and needs help that is one thing. Folks that got in when things where great and do not love what they do are either gone or will be soon.
Apr 08, 2008 11:11 AM
Coldwell Banker Shepherd Group - Moreno Valley, CA
Homes for Sale Moreno Valley
That is so true. We have a 10,000 sq ft office with 23 private office and there are only about 5 agents here at any one time. Most new agents have no idea how difficult it really is to be a true professional.
Apr 09, 2008 08:15 AM
Coldwell Banker - Valley Village, CA
Unfortunately, new agents emulate what they think is the way to do things. We would all like the business to work itself. Good luck with that strategy.
Apr 10, 2008 11:12 AM
Network Real Estate, Inc. - Little Rock, AR
That's the very reason I made my Office Phone a Cell Phone. It's a bit busy but all my agents are called direct and I personally field all office calls. The NUMBER ONE complaint I hear from the public...as they say "Well, I'll say one thing...I've NEVER had a problem getting ahold of you!" I assume they've had bad experiences.
These other agents need to be OUT of the Business!
As they say "IF YOU CAN'T RUN WITH THE BIG DOGS, STAY ON THE PORCH"
Apr 10, 2008 02:52 PM
Primerica - Portage, IN
The Only Hope Main Street America Has!
wonderful post. I'll add another symptom of being a secret agent that I've seen in the Insurance industry. You ordered a box of 5000 business cards a month ago and you still have 4990 of them in the box. Secret Agent.
Apr 10, 2008 05:57 PM
DOUG FRITCHIE-Silver Legacy Properties,Inc. - Portland, OR
Peter
The WORST Secret Agents are those who have Business Cards in their pocket day in and day out and never distribute them.
Apr 11, 2008 12:41 AM
Coldwell Banker Mulleady Inc. - Boulder Junction, WI
Peter: This is critical reading for all new agents. (And some veterans who forget why the got into the business and how they became known in the first place) Thanks
Apr 11, 2008 02:53 AM
Coldwell Banker - Valley Village, CA
Pete, Doug, Kenneth,
Usually, we give our card with our flyer at open houses. Years ago I got a call from a woman who had attended an open house for one of our listings. She wanted me to list her house. Sounds good, of course. What was impressive was that the open house was a year to the day from the call and she had kept the card all that time.
Apr 11, 2008 04:38 AM
RE/MAX Professionals - Olympia, WA
It is amazing how many agents hide.... I used to be very cautious about saying I was in real estate... now, I tell everyone and everyone I can. My business has improved greatly.
Best,
Scott
Apr 11, 2008 06:39 AM
Utah Homes - Alpine, UT
New House Utah - Utah Hero Homes
Coldwell Banker - Valley Village, CA
Scott- I think we're taught to inhibited about a lot of things, including what we do. I've always admired people who are unapologetically out there with no fear or apprehension.
Chuck- I've worked with them and thanked God for short escrows.
Apr 13, 2008 05:35 AM
RE/MAX Preferred, West Chester, PA, RS152252A - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches
I agree with everything except the last line. You say you can't fail if you don't try. I say you will fail if you don't try!
Apr 13, 2008 09:34 AM
RE/MAX Suburban - Cary, IL
SRES;SFR,CDPE;GRI;ABR;e-PRO Realtor, Northern IL
Hi Peter...I agree that can be so frustrating to work with an agent like this. One BIG positive about this market is that a lot of those agents who are not serious about thier business are leaving in droves now!
Apr 15, 2008 01:30 AM
Coldwell Banker - Valley Village, CA
Susan, very true.
James, I love your name. You must have gone through the same type of jokes I've heard all my life.
Debra, I guess consolidation will weed out the marginal producers. Yet, I still see people in Real Estate trying to hide. Go figure!
Apr 15, 2008 09:06 AM
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon
I am only one of those, I am never in the office! There is never any business in the office, you have to go out and get it! I am hoping to become the top producer in my office by summer without having been in the office all year long!
Apr 17, 2008 05:21 PM
Network Real Estate, Inc. - Little Rock, AR
CONGRATULATIONS Todd Clark! You sound like me. I run a Brokergage Operation and FROM my home, so I nor my agents ever go to an office. I even posted a blog on how I basically run a home brokerage at http://activerain.com/blogsview/469366/Should-YOU-Be-Operating and I am the Opposite of a Secret Agent! David
Apr 17, 2008 10:01 PM
Robert Paul Properties, Inc. - Provincetown, MA
Provincetown and Cape Cod
I wonder how secret agents make money to their REALTOR and MLS dues?? Why bother getting a real estate license??
Apr 21, 2008 04:51 PM
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