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You've Got to Have a Special Sense of Entitlement To...

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Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate VA License # 0225089470

You've Got to Have a Special Sense of Entitlement To...

Not too long ago, I met a buyer at my listing and was stunned at their rudeness.  (Not my buyer, by the way.)  Parking was tight, but visitor spaces in the townhouse development were open.  They were a short walk away, but apparently too far for this buyer to be inconvenienced.  He parked in the neighbor's driveway!  That was almost a month ago.

Today, while showing a garage townhouse to my own buyer clients, I watched a real estate agent with personalized license plates, park in the next door neighbor's driveway to show the home.  Meanwhile, visitor parking was about fifty feet away.  WHY?  Who does that?

My buyers parked in the nearby visitor spaces.  I parked in a visitor space one two blocks down the road because it was what was available when I arrived.  It was a drizzly, cloudy day.  Still, no excuse to be so entitled to take up a parking space in someone else's driveway.  Have an umbrella, or if you are like me and hate carrying one, get a hooded rain coat.  

If you can not emphathize with what a person coming home from work would feel seeing a strange car parked in their driveway, and having to wait for the owner of the car to come of the neighbor's house for sale to get it out, you aren't fit to deal with showings.  Your convenience as a real estate agent is not a consideration.  You should be professional, at all times. 

I hate to lose faith in my colleagues in this industry, but this behavior is unacceptable.  There's no crazy market or weather excuse for being inconsiderate and entitled.  Unfortunately, I see more and more bad behavior each time I go out to show a property.  Did this particular agent think no one was noticing her shenanigans?  Did that make it okay?  Matters not at all to me.  It's what you do when you think no one is watching that matters.

Comments(22)

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Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

Hello Chris Ann,

    This snow ball seems to have started back in 2020 at some point and shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.  Unfortunate.  Best one can do, is be the best we can be.  Mark

Mar 18, 2021 05:34 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

The decline of our civilization is certainly happening.  

Mar 18, 2021 06:31 PM
Andrea Bedard
Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD
Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

Parking in the neighbor's driveway is not anything that would have ever occured to me. It's rude, it's disrespectful, it's unprofessional, it's trespassing, and it's inviting trouble. In this day and age when so many homes are hooked up to cameras? I wouldn't want to risk going viral for all the wrong reasons. 

Judge away Chris Ann! 

 

Mar 18, 2021 05:36 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

It is so crazy that it is happening.  If I found someone in my driveway, I would tear them a new one.

Mar 18, 2021 06:32 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Chris Ann- it does seem very thoughtless, doesn't it?  I was thinking today that all of our mask-wearing last year and emboldened people to do things they would not ordinarily do. 

Mar 18, 2021 06:58 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Interesting to connect those two, but if you can't see their faces, some folks are more likely to be jerks.

Mar 19, 2021 08:22 AM
Kris Collis, Associate Broker
Smart Way America Realty - East Stroudsburg, PA
Professional Results you Expect 570-801-5525

When someone takes a pic of that agent's vehicle license in neighbor's drieway and sends it to their broker, hopefully the proverbial kick in the pants will result in a wake up call.

Mar 18, 2021 08:04 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

I wouldn't wait for a broker to do anything about this.  Heck, my broker is still waiting on a call back from a broker she called for me regarding an unauthorized showing by his agent.  That's been two months now.

Mar 19, 2021 08:22 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.WarrenCountyOhioRealEstate.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Funny thing is for me since I show a fair share of condos, parking is a topic of conversation with my buyers.  How much guest parking is available and how far away?  I've had buyers realize a home might not be the right one for them because they like to entertain (once upon a time and again some day) and the community parking situation was inadequate for their needs.

Mar 18, 2021 08:05 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Same here.  Parking is a hot topic, but never had I or my buyers acted like that and taken someone's private property parking spot.  I do have a placard I put on my dashboard if all that's available are assigned spaces to call me if I have taken their spot.

Mar 19, 2021 08:24 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Chris Ann:

Yep that's pretty rude and entitled, and I've observed it myself on multiple occasions. Parking can be tough in some areas when showing homes, but parking in a neighbors drive is inexcusable, not to mention it's trespassing.

Jeff

Mar 18, 2021 08:59 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

There was plenty of visitor parking if one took the time to drive down a side street or to the end of this street.  

Mar 19, 2021 08:24 AM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Great information thanks for sharing.  I hope you have great day.

Mar 19, 2021 02:20 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

Once you get past the words selfish, self-centered, and unprofessional, you have the definition of that real estate person, Even including agent would be inappropriate.

Mar 19, 2021 05:13 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Exactly.  How are you working in your client's best interest by pissing off the neighbors or making a bad impression?

Mar 19, 2021 08:25 AM
Janelle Ancillotti
Seneca Home Staging - Syracuse, NY
HSR Certified Home Stager, Syracuse, NY

Here's another thought: A woman I knew illegally parked her car in the wheelchair accessible space in the crowded parking lot of the ice rink I frequent. She was inside for only a few minutes while she tied her daughter's skates and then left. I thought to myself she must think she's more special than everyone else. She was diagnosed with a rare and horrible type of cancer and died a short while later, and I still feel bad about the negative thoughts I had.

Mar 19, 2021 05:29 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

If she's in that bad of shape, perhaps this isn't the job for her.  And it wasn't a few minutes.  She stood in the driveway talking to her client for a bit after.

Mar 19, 2021 08:27 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I see a great deal of what I would consider a lack of respect from people but I always have to remind myself that my judgment is not what matters.

Mar 19, 2021 05:39 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

If I'm a listing agent and see her name on an offer, I'd say my judgment matters.  

Mar 19, 2021 08:27 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

If I came home and someone was parked in my driveway, blocking my way, I'd park behind them and go into the house. 

Mar 19, 2021 05:51 AM
Marte Cliff

I love that solution, Kat!

Mar 19, 2021 08:00 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Perfect!  And wait 30 minutes to let her out.

Mar 19, 2021 08:33 AM
Jamie King
Hoty Enterprises, Inc. - Huron, OH
Sandusky, OH

Amazes me how inconsiderate and insensitive people can be in this profession! I once scheduled a showing at a property, that followed another showing that had been scheduled an hour earlier. A small, approx. 1400 sq ft home. I know for certain the listing agent told the previous showing agent there was another showing. I also knew the sellers had a dog they had to remove from the property for showings. So 45 mins past my scheduled showing time, the agent and her buyers were still in the property. Inconviencing me and my buyer who were on a schedule to see several homes and the homeowners out driving around in their car with the dog. Unbelievable! If you need to discuss at length or are writing an offer, do it at you office!

Mar 19, 2021 06:12 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

It's a bad idea, in this day and age, to discuss anything in the property anyway.  You never know who is listening.

Mar 19, 2021 08:34 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Chris Ann... sadly the sense of entitlement permeates so many aspects of our lives these days. I'm not defending it... I hate that attitude, but it's there.

Yesterday, I showed a home where the prior agent had left the garage door wide open and the door into the house from the garage unlocked. To me, that's a form of a sense of entitlement that someone doesn't have to take care in closing up a house the right way.

Mar 19, 2021 06:30 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Paying attention to how a home was when you entered is part of our job.  Leave it like you found it, unless told otherwise.

Mar 19, 2021 08:35 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

I've become fed up with the entitlement attitude on all fronts. Words like "deserve," "entitled," and "rights" make me cringe.

Mar 19, 2021 08:02 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

When karma hits her, no matter how many, she'll complain she doesn't deserve things like that happening to her, I'm sure.

Mar 19, 2021 08:36 AM
Jon Boyd
Home Buyer's Agent of Ann Arbor - Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor Real Estate Buyers Agent

I've got to admit I totally agree with you. I like to give people a lot of space to do their own thing, but, that level of entitlement just rolls right past reasonable.

And I like some of the suggestions!

Mar 19, 2021 08:52 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Having seen that behavior twice in the last thrity days, I have to think I'm going to see it again soon.  Repeating bad behavior is not at all acceptable.

Mar 20, 2021 01:16 PM
Marti Steele Kilby, CRS
Steele Group Realty - La Mesa, CA
Broker/Owner, San Diego, CA

Sadly, demonstrating a lack of respect for other's property, rights, and feelings seems to be developing into a norm in our society. Entitled behavior is unfortunately not limited to the real estate indsutry.

Mar 19, 2021 08:53 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

It's absolutely not.  The number one complaint in our HOA is trespassing by kids who have no issue walking or playing on someone's property to get where they want to get.  That was a huge no-no in my neighhborhood.  Mom made sure of that.

Mar 20, 2021 01:17 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

People who do that just don't care.  It is all about them and no consideration is given to what others think, watching them, or not watching.  And if they did, they would not think there was anything wrong with parking in a neighbor's driveway. 

Mar 19, 2021 01:34 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

I'm sure it wasn't the first time she's been inconsiderate.

Mar 20, 2021 01:18 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Entitlement is RAMPANT this day and time, Chris Ann. I am so surprised at how so many agents fit right into that category as well. 

 

How on earth are WE so special that we interfere with others' lifestyle because of our entitlement? I'm telling you that if I were that neighbor, I would have parked behind the agent and gone into my home. I would probably have taken my time getting to the door when that agent showed up to ask me to move my car too!!!

Mar 20, 2021 07:42 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Every day brings fresh disappoint.  Thankfully, there are still people that bring refreshing courtesy daily as well.  Makes me appreciate the latter so much more.

Mar 20, 2021 01:19 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS

Me too! I just had this conversation with one of my contractors this week - we are both old-school: be thankful for those who go out of their way for you and never, ever take advantage of them. I have begun to seek out people with those traits - more than ever before in my life!

Mar 20, 2021 07:06 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Wow - just wow!  Who parks in someone else's driveway, let alone a realtor?!    It makes me feel a bit old that consideration and courtesy are becoming a thing of the past!

Mar 23, 2021 07:55 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Exactly, but she was definitely old enough to know better.

Mar 24, 2021 11:52 AM
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

UGH, who does this shiz. Seriously

I would LOVE to be the neighbor and call a tow truck for the abandoned vehicle  . . .

Apr 09, 2021 09:44 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

I would have stayed to watch that unfold.  

Apr 09, 2021 10:11 AM