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Bad Apples Spoil the Whole Basket

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Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Mexico Properties 47726

Bad Apples Spoil the Whole Basket

 

It's always interesting to me, now that I've been in the real estate business for more than a decade, how some brokers conduct their business. Most are consummate professionals. Others, not so much.

The other day I was walking my dogs around our community, which is gated. I had noticed an open house from a listing down the street and also noticed that the entrance gates into our community were closed. Normally, the listing broker would contact the HOA representative and arrange for the gates to be open during their open house.

When I walked past the keypad to the entrance gate of our community, I noticed a note on the keypad. I could not believe my eyes. The broker taped a note to the keypad with the gate code on it!

Wow! What was this guy thinking? Was he a newbie, and didn't know any better? Maybe. But, it still begs the question, WHY DID HE THINK THIS WAS OK TO DO IN THE FIRST PLACE? I, of course, contacted the board and let them know what he had done and asked them to purge that gate code as it was now known to anyone who came to the open house, or anyone who happened to walk by.

I can't help but think about why some of the home-buying public views our profession negatively. Brokers like this guy truly perpetuate that negative view. Another poorly trained REALTOR - another bad apple spoiling the basket. One can only hope that he learned something that day and works to improve his professionalism. One can hope.  

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Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Wow! What does he think is the purpose of gate codes anyway? That agent needs to get more than a slap on the hand. Gated communities should only have showings by appointment only.

Feb 22, 2024 08:17 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

That's not a good thing by a long shot.  Don't think I've ever run into that Jeff.  Yes I agree, the agent needs to learn a lesson.  Typically here in AZ, the broker would require that agent to take some CE courses relating to the issue.

Feb 22, 2024 08:21 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Jeff - life shows us much.  Of course, there are lessons learned and taught in real estate that can cause head-scratching.  Why?  Why, indeed.   

Feb 22, 2024 08:30 AM
Michael J. Perry
Fathom Realty - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

The Weakest Link pulls us all down ………………………………………………………………..

Feb 22, 2024 08:50 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Jeff- it does make you wonder, doesn't it?!  It makes you wonder about his training or the assistance of the  broker but it has to do with common sense, doesn't it. 

Feb 22, 2024 05:49 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
The best agent in Southern Utah!

People who live there are paying for the security that gate provides and thanks to that broker, anyone helter-skelter could come through! Glad you saw that Jeff and could take action. 

Feb 23, 2024 08:05 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
The best agent in Southern Utah!

The people who live within a gated community depend on feeling secure in knowing that outsiders do not have full access. Thank you for the reminder of what 'not to do' when holding an open house, Jeff

Your post is featured in BananaTude group, congrats!

Feb 23, 2024 08:23 AM
Jeff Stevens

Thank you for the feature! :)

Feb 23, 2024 01:17 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Feb 24, 2024 06:38 PM
Jeff Stevens

Thank you for the feature, Kathy!

Feb 25, 2024 06:14 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Jeff. There is an old saying that "you can't fix stupid"! Hopefully, this was a simple mistake of lack of thought. If not, a responsible managing broker should free up his future. Enjoy your day.

Feb 25, 2024 05:49 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Jeff Stevens ,

I've seen agents try and do this when listing in our two gated sections of the community I serve. They were immediately called out as the HOA Presidents lives in one of the gated sections. They have now switched to individual codes for each household but still what are these agents thinking?? They are not..they don't have a clue about safety.

Feb 25, 2024 05:51 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Wow. Some things just defy explanation.

Feb 25, 2024 06:22 AM
Joyce M. Marsh
Luxury Home Couture - Daytona Beach, FL
Joyce Marsh Homes & Design

Perfect example of someone who has no common sense and someone who is only thinking of themselves.

Feb 26, 2024 12:04 AM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

If the agent is a REALTOR, there should be a Code of Ethics complaint filed.  If nothing else, a call to the broker and a formal letter in writing.  How 100% unprofessional!!!

Mar 03, 2024 08:28 AM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

That agent's solution to the entry gate problem was the wrong solution. 

Dec 29, 2024 06:56 AM