Home > Blogs > Valerie Osterhoudt > Valerie's Blog

SHOULD THERE BE ETIQUETTE IN REAL ESTATE?

By Valerie Osterhoudt

Real Estate Agent with Johnson Real Estate, Inc. RES.0761759

September 30, 2008 05:21 AM

This is an observation, but also brings forth a question. In the real estate world there are a lot of agents that are in this business that are not only unprofessional, but do NOT know what they are doing. I'm sure we have all run into this at one time or another. These "professionals" make our job a lot harder, and in some cases cause deals not to go through (but that is a whole other blog). Why is it so hard to work together? The listing agent and the selling agent are both ultimately looking for the same bottom line.. and that is for our clients to be happy, and to have the deal close, right?

So why is it so hard for agents to return calls, leave feedback, keep appointments or call if an appointment is going to be missed? What happened to professionalism? Shouldn't we all try our best to do our best? I do. Do individual offices have policies that say just close the deal no matter what it takes? If so, who are you walking over to get it done.. and don't you think they will remember the next time you work together. We are ALL under stress in today's economy, but shouldn't there still be a line to toe?

My question is, why is it so hard to work together and act like professionals?

valerie osterhoudt

Info about the author:

Valerie Osterhoudt is a Cromwell Connecticut Residential Realtor who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Middlesex County of CT, as well as the surrounding areas. Please visit me at www.CTrealtorMLS.com for all your relocation and/or local needs.

Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR - Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - 860.635.0387 #2 - valerierealtor@sbcglobal.net

Re-Blog

Comments(17)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Michael A. Caruso

Surterre Properties - Laguna Niguel, CA

I've been in the business for over 30 years. In my experience, only about 10% of real estate "professionals" are truly professional. It is not hard to rise about mediocare in our business.

Please remember me if you learn of anyone moving to "The OC."

Best Regards

Michael Caruso

Sep 30, 2008 05:27 AM

Stephen Kappre

KW Hometown - Mantua, NJ

Helping You Home

Wonderful question - one to which I doubt I have an answer. Many issues chalk up to pride - nobody ever has the guts to say "I was wrong" or "I'm sorry" or "Let me find out for you ..." As far as I am concerned that builds relationships through honesty. But many professionals aren't at all about relationships, but their paycheck (albeit important, NOT the only thing that is important). And EVERYONE makes mistakes. And then there are just a large portion of lazy agents. But maybe my alltime favorite as a lender is the agent that calls you 15 times a day then as soon as you need something from them they are MIA - sometimes for LONG periods of time.

Sep 30, 2008 05:38 AM

Teresa Harris

Lake Real Estate, LLC - Denver, NC

Denver . Lake Norman . Charlotte

Valerie, certainly you don't have a problem like that up there do you?!?!?! Sometimes it takes days and days and days for agents to return calls here.... 75% of the day I have my phone with me at all times. Do I like it, no... but in this business you have to be accessible...

By the way you have been getting my emails, haven't you?? As far as NVU goes I didn't find a phone number but I emailed their webmaster and as of now I haven't heard from them...

Sep 30, 2008 07:44 AM

George Souto

George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT

Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Valerie, it would be nice if all professionals behaved professionally, but as you stated this is not the case.

Proper etiquette would be nice ............. I always turn up my pinky when I am signing a contract :)

Sep 30, 2008 08:38 AM

Kara Casamassina

International Property Management Group, LLC - Aiken, SC

Boomers and beyond

Great question Valerie. I don't know why it is so hard for some and not for others.

Sep 30, 2008 11:50 AM

Frances C. Rokicki

Fran Rokicki Realty, LLC - Bolton, CT

Broker-Mentor,CRS

Valerie, I think with tougher times, this job has just become too hard for some of the agents who jumped in during the last seven years or so. As with all up and down markets, some will stay because they become stronger and skilled, but, others will leave because they just can't survive. The money is no longer "easy." It is a real job now. Ethics alone, should keep everyone responsible to eachother. You would hope!

Come and sell some of my listings. I promise to complete successful and pleasant transactions with you! We can even use George as the Banker. Go to my website and pick a few:)

It's a Good Life!

Fran

Sep 30, 2008 12:01 PM

Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton - Clayton, OH

I see a lot of different agents and I have noticed that the ones that seem unprofessional are the ones that really don't service their clients well. They are the ones with the self inflated ego and a "I know everything about RE" attitude. I usually end up feeling very sorry for the clients, because their representative is just there to shove the client in the first house that comes along.

I love it when the client rolls their eyes and asks "Do you know a good agent?". Unfortunately, I can't tell them that their are dozens out there. Ooohhh Wellllllll.

Jack

Sep 30, 2008 04:16 PM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Michael.. I was thinking that maybe with the economy being the way it is, that these realtors will drop out.. leaving the agents that have been in the business for years their clients. We will then show them the "professional" way to handling a transaction.

valerie osterhoudt

Oct 01, 2008 03:13 AM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Steve.... This might sound strange, but I WILL admit when I dont' know something, or I have made a mistake. Clients I have found welcome this. I take pride in my job, and even after the closing, I stay in touch with my clients, and if/when they call me I do return their call. Thanks for commenting.

valerie osterhoudt

Oct 01, 2008 03:19 AM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Teresa.. I got your emails over the weekend saying that you would contact NVU on Monday.. but if you sent anything else since then.. no I didn't get it. So thank you for the update here.

I laughed when you said you haven't heard from them. Seems no one is returning calls. Yes, it does happen here as much as it does there.. this doesn't make it right. Whatever happened to common courtesy?

valerie osterhoudt

Oct 01, 2008 03:23 AM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

George.. Do you do the same thing (turn up your pinky) when you have a drink? LOL. I know you are professional, and you DO return calls in a timely fashion.

valerie osterhoudt

Oct 01, 2008 03:27 AM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Kara.. I believe that real estate is a service profession. If you don't return calls, or be there to work together, it will carry over to other clients, and maybe after a while you just won't have any clients.. word does travel fast for bad news. Not that you have anything to worry about in this case.

valerie osterhoudt

Oct 01, 2008 03:29 AM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Fran.. I think it would be wonderful to work together on a transaction. In this case both the buyer and seller would have professional realtors. This would be a pleasant change. If I know of anyone looking in the Tolland area, I'll be sure to let you know.

Have a great day, and thank you for commenting.

valerie osterhoudt

Oct 01, 2008 03:33 AM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Jack.. It is these clients that are giving the rests of the *good* realtors a bad name. I'm trying to make a difference in this business... even in the hard times as they are now. So you you know of anyone looking for a realtor in my area, please have them give me a call, or check out my profile. I'd really like it if they wanted to interview me.. this way they can see exactly what I can do for them, and answer any questions they might have.

Hope you are having a great day.

valerie osterhoudt

Oct 01, 2008 03:36 AM

Frances C. Rokicki

Fran Rokicki Realty, LLC - Bolton, CT

Broker-Mentor,CRS

Valerie, I cover Hartford County and some of Middlesex County, too. My relatives and friends are scattered all over our state! Farmington Valley once in awhile, too:) Most of my listings, though, are in Hartford, Tolland and Windham Counties:) Twenty two years of business goes all over the place! I have a super listing in Rocky Hill, a condo! Keep it in mind if someone comes your way! Hope we can put a family in a new home soon!

Oct 01, 2008 03:38 AM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Fran.. I'll keep that in mind, and even check out the listing of the condo in Rocky Hill. Things are just slow right now.. which I am sure you are aware of too.

Hope you are having a good morning.

valerie osterhoudt

Oct 01, 2008 03:40 AM

Steve Hoffacker

Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL

Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor

Valerie,

That's kind of an age-old question. Why can't we all just follow the rules? I'm not a big one on rules, but if I know what they are, I'll play by them.

Steve

Oct 01, 2008 12:29 PM