Lack of Professionalism in Our Business

Sadly I do agree about the Professionalism being lacking.  I have said this for years and am suprised by it most every week.

Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL  You have to have pride in your profession  to be professional  . I have been in this business for over 30 years and this is nothing new . Many agents and brokers care more about money then ethics

Things are still pretty good here in my area but a lot more misconduct would get reported if our Real Estate Commission worked with Brokers instead of ruling by fear. No one wants to report anything to them because they seem very partial and vindictive.

Professionalism is always in question.  When the market is slow, agents will try anything to get the sale done.  When the market is hot, agents will do anything to get the deal. It is up to us to police ourselves and report those that do not perform at a professional level.

     I am in my 31st year of real estate, Jon.  Nothing has changed.  When the market is hot, everybody in Florida gets a real estate license and sells real estate.  They don't have a clue what they are doing.

     And those who have been in the business for a long time?  I am sorry to say, but many of them are in it for the commission.  They wear a plastic smile and pretend sincerity, but they just want to get to closing and pick up another paycheck. 

Everly profession has their bad apples, police, fire dept, politics, church members needless to say we need to focus on the the good ones and police or eliminate the bad ones, but what do I know, I have a moral compass, Endre

Unfortunatley there are too many that are unprofessional, and last week I met several... 

Jon, you can't teach someone how to behave ethically and morally and professionally. They can take the classes of course, but if it not a natural thing to them, it doesn't matter. 

It is not just limited to real estate. You mentioned attorneys and the fact they specialize. But that doesn't make them moral, professional or ethical. It is the same for us.

Money can corrupt even those who are ethical, professional and moral. The fact that we are paid ONLY if we sell sets this up from day 1. 

NAR would have to change totally, talk is cheap. I am only a member because I have to be, not because I feel it makes me stand out or makes me more moral, more ethical, more professional. Changing our standards, or our entrance into the club would do nothing, in my humble opinion.

Well, it might change something, it might put more money into the pockets of someone. Not me though. Because they always come up with a way to require us to pay more for the privilege. 

Ditto on your viewpoint, Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL . I see new agents in a continuous stream of enthusiasm entering the profession without a single clue of the responsibility owed the consumer. Very sad!

Hi Jon - It continues to be a huge problem, but there is an upside - it doesn't take much to stand out from the crowd.

Jon it is an issue here as well - tons of brand new agents not knowing what they're doing yet. I ditto with Mr Dick says - it  does make it easy to see who are the true professionals .

I wish the issue was limited only to new agents, but sadly I think it's more pervasive.

This is precious, so precious. Today received the below request from a real estate "professional"

 "Please put in writing that we are honoring the current contract that is signed until we get signatures on the new one with the added verbiage  since buyer is paying for an inspection tomorrow afternoon."

Comments? Suggestions?