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Customers Not Competition

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 311291

 

Realtors® Helping Realtors ®

 

In real estate, we should see ourselves as partners, not competitors. I cringe when I hear someone say, “I don’t want to show that listing because of that agent.” When we treat each other as customers, everyone benefits: buyers, sellers, and agents.

We rely on each other every day. On my listings, other agents bring their buyers. And when I’m working with buyers, I get them to my colleague's listings. We’re not competitors; we’re customers for one another.

Recently, a fellow agent reached out to me, concerned that a listing was getting little attention.  I suggested a few simple changes: updating photos, rewording the description, and asking the condo association to add some plants for curb appeal. Also, use captions to highlight special features under the pictures, because (surprise) not everyone reads the MLS remarks. These small changes gave the property a fresh look.

What if we worked together like this more often? We could form small groups where we support each other. If someone sees a weak photo or a mistake in a listing, or an open potty seat, they could kindly let the agent know.

This isn’t criticism, it’s help. When a listing looks better, it benefits everyone involved: the seller, the buyer, and both agents.

It doesn’t have to be a big project; it could start with just a couple of agents helping each other. It could eventually become a hotline for agents to share tips and support across the country.

Would love to hear your ideas!

 

To quote Floyd Wickman, “You get by giving".  Raise the bar, and we all achieve better results.

 

 

 

 

Posted by

Margaret Rome
HomeRome Realty
Broker/Owner/Realtor®

Baltimore, Maryland


Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

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Comments(19)

Show All Comments Sort:
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Margaret - "perspective" is important.  In real estate and in everyday life.  While the practice of each will never lead to perfection, the journey can help us be better.  

Sep 13, 2025 10:21 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Good afternoon, Michael Jacobs. The journey can certainly help us be better.

 

 

Sep 13, 2025 10:42 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Hello Margaret... I've always referred to other agents as my colleagues and have never considered them my competitors.

Sep 13, 2025 10:56 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

But of course, Nina Hollander, Broker

You are a professional who knows and understands Real Estate!

Sep 13, 2025 11:06 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Margaret- I couldn't agree more!  When I was in FL and would ask an agent if they wanted to join the Women's Council of Realtors, I sometimes had a response similar to..."why would I want to meet with my competitors?"   It made no sense then and doesn't now. 

Sep 13, 2025 01:08 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Kathy Streib

You do understand what I am talking about. And the joining or not joining of WCR is a perfect example. My radio show is because of a WCR meeting!

Sep 13, 2025 02:33 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Margaret we all win when we work together instead of working against each other.

Sep 13, 2025 01:51 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

So true, George Souto,

Thanks for your call and advice this week!

Sep 13, 2025 02:34 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Sep 13, 2025 05:41 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Thank you, Kathy Streib  Always an honor to be featured in your weekly post

Sep 13, 2025 05:56 PM
Kat Palmiotti
Kalispell, MT
Retired from real estate; active in life!

Good morning. I totally agree with helping others - it only makes the real estate world better.

Sep 14, 2025 04:47 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Kat Palmiotti

And you are the perfect example, always willing to help and share with others. We appreciate you.

Sep 14, 2025 07:31 AM
Kat Palmiotti

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Sep 14, 2025 02:49 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Margaret. People want to do business with people they like and people they know. You can't get either if you don't network. Since cooperating agents are more likely to sell your listing the wise agent builds a referral network of colleagues. Cooperation trumps competition. Enjoy your day.

Sep 14, 2025 05:35 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Wayne Martin,

Those are some wise words, my friend!

Sep 14, 2025 07:48 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP
Big Block Team @ LPT Realty 858.232.8722 - San Diego, CA
Coastal San Diego, Veterans & Retirees Services

I enjoy learning from collaborating with other agents like you Margaret, but I also keep a "Jackass Alert List" of agents I'll never work with again...so cringe away Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 - there are agents I’ll avoid working with again, but I’ve shown their homes after warning my buyer: 'Here’s what they did or tried to do last time—proceed with caution.' While my fiduciary duty prevents steering, it does urge caution.

Sep 14, 2025 07:14 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP 

Jackass Alert List is a good name for those kindness-impaired agents!

Sep 14, 2025 07:46 AM
Eileen Burns 954.483.3912

😂

Sep 14, 2025 08:12 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP

😂

Sep 14, 2025 08:35 AM
Eileen Burns 954.483.3912
Douglas Elliman Las Olas - Fort Lauderdale, FL
FLorida Real Estate Connector

There is enough business for everyone!  As Nina Hollander, Broker expressed we are business colleagues. 

I take exception when agents do not stay current with their responsibility to learn the business correctly.  We should not be compelled to be a compliance officer nor trainer for those brokers who do not engage with their agents educating them on current market conditions, forms, liability and such, which only increases errors and omissions rates. Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 

Sep 14, 2025 08:16 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Eileen Burns 954.483.3912 amen to that, Eileen. 

Sep 14, 2025 08:17 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

I agree! Eileen Burns 954.483.3912,

But when those errors are made on contracts for our sellers. We need to correct the offer and maybe educate the agent presenting the offer. 

Thanks for calling the show yesterday!

Sep 15, 2025 03:48 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Real Estate Svcs.
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Miss Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 I spend countless hours walking buyer agents through their offers on my listings.  Page by page, asking, What is your intention here because there is a conflict. 

The date of the purchase agreement is missing, the buyer's name is missing, and the property address is missing.  We cannot make this stuff up!

Where is the Training? 

As for the open potty seat, that remains a strict violation. Beyond a Rookie move and should NEVER happen. 💩💩💩💩 [insert intended humor here]

 

 

Sep 14, 2025 09:29 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist 

The same applies to agents here, even though we're not in the same city.

 

Sep 14, 2025 11:49 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Real Estate Svcs.
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

FEATURED IN CRAP-TACULAR

 

Mr. Crappy Says

Real Estate Marketing Photo(s)

With the Toilet Seat Up

Is FOUL

And Instant Violation!

💩💩

💩

 

Sep 14, 2025 09:33 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Thank you Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist 

Sep 15, 2025 03:48 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks so much for sharing this thoughtful post, Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400. I really appreciate how you highlight the importance of collaboration over competition in real estate. Your ideas about supporting each other and working as a team truly resonate and remind us that when we lift one another up, everyone benefits.

Sep 14, 2025 01:48 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Lew Corcoran  To best serve our clients, whether they are buyers or sellers, we must collaborate effectively as a team.

Sep 15, 2025 03:52 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Working with fellow agents is a win win and the professional way of doing business!

Sep 14, 2025 02:10 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

There’s a thing about giving that just gives to you in the most genuine kind of way that I really can’t explain but it’s remarkable!

Sep 14, 2025 08:02 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

I understand, no need to explain, Laura Cerrano 

Sep 15, 2025 03:53 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

What a wonderful idea, even in an office people could be helpful and give some advice. I meet with some realtors once a month to discus and showcase our listings, it is an opportunity to get some feedback and hear what is happening in the market. It is hosted by a mortgage provider and supported by a mover and a contractor. As you say we are all customers or each other.

Sep 15, 2025 08:17 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543

  This helpful advice can be in your office, or similar to what you are doing with a group of like-minded agents, or right here in our AR community.

Sep 15, 2025 03:58 PM
Emily Medvec
The Real Brokerage | Santa Fe - Santa Fe, NM
Broker | Realtor | Santa Fe & Northern NM

Cooperation can be the path to follow in our profession to benefit all parties. What I often see blocking it are brokerage exclusive in-house listing policies where homes are sold with zero days on market and no opportunity for cooperation or competition. We have a lot of work to do...

Sep 16, 2025 06:52 AM