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Here's one way to screw up a million dollar listing

By
Real Estate Agent with HomeSmart Realty West CalBRE #01458572

I'm watching "Million Dollar Listing" on Bravo right now. If you've never seen it, it's extremely enlightening. It follows several Realtors around as they do their jobs in helping Clients buy and sell million dollar properties.

This one Realtor is going to meet a potential Client whom he thinks is a hot lead because he knows the potential Client's son. Well, said Realtor shows up in tennis shoes, white socks, black shorts, a gray T-shirt with underarm stains, a headband, unshaven, unwashed, unkempt, just an absolute disaster. He claimed that his home didn't have electricity or water when he woke up, but in actuality (as the edited-for-television program showed) he woke up late and just decided that since he knew prospective Client's son, that he didn't need to look professional.

The potential Client said quite frankly (but loosely quoted), "I'm not going to give my listing to someone who looks like you." Well, duh.

Lost commission: "$106,850."

Larry Story ALC
Total Care Realty - Greensboro, NC
Beneath it all is the Land, Covering all of NC

Jim it is  a daily thing where I am amazed at what I run into in our field.

Sep 02, 2008 10:07 PM
Dennis Swartz
Full Circle Property Management - Columbus, OH
MBA, GRI...experience counts!

That actually happened to me with my friend. I thought I had the listing so didn't make a formal presentation, and he picked someone else. A real eye-opener for me (and the loss of a friend).

Sep 02, 2008 10:13 PM
xxx x
Albany, NY

I tried to watch that show one day but it seemed like the agents all looked like they were 19 years old if I recall and I just couldn't do it. Maybe I need to check it out again.

Sep 02, 2008 10:27 PM
Caren Wallace
Premier Property Group LLC - Tualatin, OR
Portland Caren Real Estate

All the better for those of us who take our profession seriously!!

Sep 02, 2008 10:37 PM
Michael Sahlman
www.HomesForVIPs.com - Keller Williams Realty - Miami Beach, FL
e-PRO - Miami Beach Florida Luxury Homes

I think I saw his twin...maybe a few of them in my area.

Sep 02, 2008 10:49 PM
Chip Jefferson
Gibbs Realty and Auction Company - Columbia, SC

Being punctual is important but looking good is just as important. I see alot of agents that look like they just got off a 4 day drunk.

Sep 02, 2008 11:12 PM
South Austin Real Estate Blog
Sky Realty South Austin - Austin, TX

I saw a couple of those shows this past weekend... I was appalled at the arrogance and absolute thirst for money from the Realtors portrayed.  I didn't see much compassion or caring about the clients.  Sounds like the above mentioned episode was much the same.. another Realtor just seeking the dollars. I don't think this show puts us in a very professional light.

Sep 02, 2008 11:45 PM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com

Jim,

OUCH!  First impressions are VERY important.  I bet said Realtor never makes that mistake again.

Ann

Sep 02, 2008 11:49 PM
Manolis "Manny" Sfinarolakis
Keller Williams Realty - West Hartford, CT

Haha.  Well you never know.  He may be crying wolf to many times and then one time he really won't have the electricity.

Kind Regards,

Manolis

Sep 03, 2008 12:04 AM
Erin Stumpf (Attardi)
Coldwell Banker - Sacramento, CA
916-342-1372 / DRE# 01706589 Sacramento, CA

Wow.  I have only see commercials for that show, and the agents all looked young and were acting pretty immature around each other.  To bad to hear they act that way around their prospects too.

Sep 03, 2008 12:09 AM
Ellie McIntire
Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD
Luxury service in Central Maryland

That show is like a train wreck. It is so painfully bad, but you just keep watching.

Sep 03, 2008 12:10 AM
Charlie Ragonesi
AllMountainRealty.com - Big Canoe, GA
Homes - Big Canoe, Jasper, North Georgia Pros

If we stage homes to sell we at least shuld stage ourselves to sell our services. Nice post

Sep 03, 2008 12:13 AM
Kengo Ueno
Prudential Locations LLC - Honolulu, HI
(R)

That is so messed up.  Underarm stains????  Damn...he did it to himself....he doesn't have anyone to blame but himself.  We are professionals and should be a professional.  Wow!!!!  I'm in disbelief.

Sep 03, 2008 12:21 AM
Barry Bridges
Barry Bridges Weichert Realtors Bridges & Co. - Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Lake professional

I  have to wonder if they are really REALTORS or just actors engaging in REALTOR bashing.

Sep 03, 2008 12:35 AM
Edie Lomason
Michael Saunders & Company - Venice, FL
BA, ABR

I can't believe how most of these agents look and dress.  I must be getting old but I think those 3 young boys look like they are in music groups.  That show just blows me away.  Do you really think it is real?

 

Sep 07, 2008 01:59 PM