REALTORS SUCK!!

Bravo! You're preaching to the choir here Kevin.   ;)

All professions go through cycles, the people that need to go, GO and the pros sharpen the axe and get ready for the next cycle.

I agree that many buyers will pass on listings that only have one photo of the front.  But, it's a balancing act.  I have also found that clients will rule out a home because of the photos when we know it's the perfect home for them (but the photos don't do the home justice).  In addition to multiple photos it's important that they are photos that showcase the home.  I've learned that magnets on the fridge and some mail on the counter aren't so noticeable when standing in the house but these things are VERY noticeable in photos.  Now it's habit to move those things before I take the photos.

Kevin, I think you're right on target with your comments which are borne out by the facts found from analysis of various major MLS search Web sites, including Realtor.com:

• More photos equals more buyer interest with listings that have 10+ photos enjoying a greater than 300% increase in the number of views and more than a 335% increase in the number of high quality buyer inquiries

Why would any real estate agent be surprised by this fact given the more than 80+% of people searching for their next home purchase online.

As an "outsider" (read non-agent/broker, yet seasoned successful businessman), what you're really talking about has several facets that are at the crux of what is putting increasing pressure on all agents with respect to commission fee levels and business growth -- How do you stand out from the competition? and What makes you truly REMARKABLE?  In my experience working with agents and brokers, if you're not REMARKABLE, you aren't REFERRABLE! 

This is the subject that I'm just beginning to explore on my blog and I'd welcome your thoughts and comments there!

  I hate pulling mls with no photos, clients expect so much more in this information age.  Do your job and do your homework! I do not suck, I rock! 

I was about to state for you to come up with a better and more tasteful heading, but I can't seem to come up with any others.  One of my favorite agents uses the term Bozos which may be bit softer. 

The bottom line is that it is too easy to get a license in any state.  Thus, the easier the industry to get into the more bozos you get.  There are some doctors and lawyers that I would throw into that category, but the vast majority are looked up to.

What is more mind boggling is that people hire them.   This is primarily because of the standards set by the industry.  Thus, the vast majority of the public feel that we have little value.  I have focused to stay in higher price ranges whereby I do not have to run into as many agent that do not have a clue what they are doing. 

I hire new agents that have no clue how to prepare a listing presentation or prepare a CMA or find properties on the MLS, or know what key websites, podcast sites, or blogging sites.....well crap, they do not even know what a podcast or a blog is.  None of this is taught in classes to get a license. Zippo, nada.  Getting a license is merely knowing real estate law and terminology and not application.  Until that changes, you will get the same.

I honestly believe that one should have a masters degree in Real Estate before being allowed to take a real estate test; and the test should be involving the entire process of being a REALTOR.  I moved from Texas and came back and had to retake my test.  I never had to use my calculator once.  The test is a joke.  The same was the case for my test in California as well as my broker's test in California.

We both know this is not going to change much in the future; so the only thing to do is to brand value as a benefit to consumers.  i.e. What is in it for the consumer?  Next, is too stay far away from lower valued homes.  I took a lease listing last month for $3500/month, so I thought I would get some type of quality agents. 3 lease offers.  None had credit reports pulled.  All had bankruptcies in the past 2 years.  All of them.  One had a 495 credit score.  I did not know that was possible.

It is what it is......we got in the used car business and half to show the world why we don't wear a plaid sports coat and polyester pants.

Kevin, the title did offend me but not because of the reason you mentioned (above comment).  I'm one of those real estate professionals who is doing their darndest to point out the value of a real estate professional to consumers.   There is much too much bashing of Realtors™ in the media, and I do what I can to counteract that.  How do I do it?  By being professional and doing the best job that I can for my clients.  Word of mouth speaks volumes. 

But for every step forward we take along comes another real estate agent that pushes us a step backwards by either their deeds or their words.

You give the public too little credit for being smart and savvy.  Most consumers today know how to interview and choose a more than competent real estate professional and demand an accounting for our work on their behalf.

Now I'm off my soapbox :-)

(steps on soapbox)

We can beat our chests demanding respect, but until we demand more from ourselves by way of education and experience requirements and we enforce the Code of Ethics- unilaterally; we need to put up and shut-up. 

• We need to petition NAR for more rigorous entrance requirements
• We need to extend the Code of Ethics to all situations brought to light, not just if the injured party chooses to file, but ant witness must also file.
• We need to hold ourselves to a higher standard and kick-out the ones that bring us all down.  The complaints are the same, some agents lack common courtesy and interpersonal skills and need to find other jobs.

We need to stop shouting into the wind and form a list of demands and take them to Orlando and demand change. 

Are you with me?

(steps off of soapbox)

Speaking from outside the realtor profession, I have to note that most realtors I deal with in GA are all too eager to live up to the worst stereotypes realtors have accumulated.  They are often effective at selling themselves up front but the follow through is almost always a disappointment.  We have listed new homes with various agents and agencies and the theme of a sign appearing followed by nothing but waiting is ubiquitous.  At least those who are on Active Rain are embracing the future of the industry and are less likely to disappear.  Overall, I agree...realtors do suck (with notable exceptions).

More than one photo does not mean the same photo from a slightly different angle...  And newsflash!...could we possibly get a photo of the INSIDE of the house?  Unless of course you expect the buyer to live on the curb or front lawn???

Kevin,

The true Professionals will rise to the top.....we have weeded many out w/the state of the business, however not all the "non's" have left and there will still be the issues of which you rant....

Hi Kev, there was once a home for sale in my are at 5Mil, and it had no picture at all, it was on the market for 3 years,.. I don't know what came of it..There are many listing on my Mls with one picture and most agents don't care,,, try to explain to these agents about virtual tours...

Great post...

I once lost a listing to an agent in my area and when the listing was put on the multiple listing service, it had NOT only 1 photo of this gracious home, but the photo was cropped as in only half of the house was showing. After being on the market (mind you it was a hot market at the time) for months ... the house did not sell. The seller contacted me after the listing expired and basically asked why the house did not sell and I said well I feel it is important that you give the property its maximum exposure which also includes nice exterior and interior photos, open houses, so forth. WELL.... 2 days later the house comes on the market again with the SAME agent and there are photos and the house sold in a few weeks.

I feel that there are good agents out there, but there are also the ones that are sloppy that give the rest of us a bad name.

I must agree that there are customers out there who don't know the benefits of hiring not only an experienced agent, but one that would pay attention to small details like this.

I find all your points valid.

Some of us go above and beyond every single day, of every single week, or every month, year after year.  We do our very best and we are GREAT Realtors.  Our clients are happy and they refer us to their family and friends.  Some of us only have referral business, which keeps us extremely busy.

Yes, some Realtors may suck, but this title and google are not going to give ANY of us a good name.  This title is not going to make consumers feel very good about ANY Realtors.
Consumers will look at this as all Realtors being equal - they all suck (which is not the case). 

I don't think this is the message we want to get out to the general public, even if we all know that SOME Realtors suck.

You stay on that soapbox! There needs to be pressure like yours on the sucky realtors who take bad photos, enter inaccurate information into the MLS and aren't straightforward in negotiations.  They give the entire profession a bad name.

Unfortunately, by the time the consumer realizes he/she has a sucky realtor, its often too late and they cannot get out of their Listing or Buyer Agreements.  Consumers must do their homework and weed out the good realtors from the bad ones.

Excellent post!

Oooh- the 1 picture thing.  I hate that.  I usually find there are 2 reasons for only 1 picture:  the agent does not know how to work a digital camera or multiple pictures would just turn potential buyers away.  I remember going into a house and when I got to the kitchen I realized why there were no pictures of it on the MLS.