DC & the Maryland Burbs Real Estate Blog

Just about every case I read of home buyer dissatisfaction is a sale where the buyer purchased directly through the listing agent. 

I just cannot understand it. 

This is one of the slowest industry changes I can recall. 

There is absolutely NO advantage for a buyer not having an experienced agent representing their interests.  None. 

John...

We've been guiding all our Buyers into the hands of the ladies who now work with us at Tutas Towne. It's much better than seeing a Buyer go it alone...Or worse yet, sending out a referral and praying the get good service out there. Our local referral network has had a bit of a meltdown. That being the case we decided to expand. That was a smart move for us, not so good for the few folks that are still in the biz but won't be getting our referrals anymore. Something about someone not really appreciating all those referrals just sticks in my old craw :)

TLW...ROAR!

I have one listing right now that is very popular.... with people looking on their own. 
I have 20 phone calls from buyers; 5 of whom are 'working' with an agent.
I asked them to have their agent provide them with the information, and make the appointment to show them the property.  They wanted to see it with me, because their agent was taking the weekend off.

What happened to looking after your client's best interests?
How can anyone have their clients do all the running around on their own, and even pretend not to have an agent, so the seller's agent can show them the property?

It doesn't cost anything to be represented by a professional - now you just have to find one. 
Not one who wants to take the day off and have you do all the work yourself.  One who actually wants to look after your best interests, and EARN their money.

I like your spunk!  I get calls all the time about my listings from clients claiming to already be working with a Realtor.  Where are they?  Why aren't they giving the folks information about my listing instead of me? 

Applause to you for this post!  I wish everyone who is planning to buy a home could read it!

John: Great post... To many times do we hear of the case of the MIA agent until the buyer finds a home. I once had a couple offers by one agent in our town where the agent never even stepped foot in the home and was writting the offer.

Hmmmmm

I have noticed more buyers going it alone too and I do think it's because they feel empowered by what they read online. Here in NY, each party in a real estate transaction uses an attorney - what does this say? Shouldn't each party have their own Realtor representing their best interest?

I have to agree with you on this one. I never did understand the "ministerial act" under Maryland law when I was a Realtor there. I protected myself as an agent by referring those people interested in my listings to a fellow agent in my office.

I saw a lot of unrepresented folks at my last open house too.  After they said my listing was not what they were looking for and they were on their way out, when I broached the idea that they might like an agent to help them find the right home, they got that 'deer in the headlights' look in their eyes.  But then when I told them I preview homes for my buyers and only show them the best ones, they gave me their contact info. 

Great post - Thank You!

It sounds like Maryland is a lot like Virginia law. I also have had prospects claim to be represented by an agent but ask me to show.

John- great piece, and I LOVE that you performed your own "open house sidewalk experiment"!  Good stuff, and certainly plenty relevant!

"I have a doctor but I thought I'd just ask you a few questions concerning my surgery". Please keep this post circulating. People need as much information on this topic as possible. Great Post

Well, Well, Well, this is a good post. It questions the reality of Real Estate Business at this era. The real estate business that we knew has changed and the client has also changed. This is what you call the digital world. The information that used to be accessed through real estate agent is now available on Internet for all buyers to see and determine the area, house and schools etc. What I found out from open house that I did this weekend is, the same thing what the other agents said. They have an agent but the agent is not available. Then I started to question as to why? I came up with a lot of answers: commission kick back to buyer? Lack of Commitment of the buyers to the agents? I know I can negotiate with the seller? etc etc.

I also learned from new homes marketing people that the number of people coming to visit the model house has reduced by 75% (traffic). Most people who are coming to new homes are coming to negotiate price. Because they have all the information about the property they need from the builders site. This new homes marketing people are also changing their strategies to address this issue.

I wonder if we are missing some thing as a realtor.

I also don't understand why people buy from the listing agent. They do no have your best intentions in mind - they want to sell the property. Don't people understand that???

Here in PA dual agency is legal. We do it, with caution.

We are seeing an increase in numbers of calls from buyers who don't want to "bother" their agent. They want us, the listing broker, to show them the home, and then if they want it the other agent can write it up.

If this is the case, I will refuse to pay the other broker. It is the buyer's agent's JOB to go with them. Not to send the buyer out as a bird dog and come back with the home so they can write up the paperwork!

 

I love the straight-forward attitude of The Naked Realtor!  I really do not understand why more buyers think they can do it themselves, or why anyone would want to!  But isn't it our responsibility to educate buyers as to how we can help them, and that our services are paid by the seller?  So basically free to them!?!

I have noticed that a lot of my more well-educated and professional acquaintances believe that there is no value in having a buyer's agent represent them during a purchase.  I'm struggling with how to help them understand what I can do for them and how it is a benefit to them.  Does anyone have any suggestions to help me? 

Melissa Tolson, GRI - Buyer's Specialist, The Landry Team

I had a couple contact me this past week wanting to take a look at a couple of listings.  When I asked about pre-qual and representation they said oh they had an agent.  Guess what, their agent works with a rebate company who told them to go out on their own and then they would right the offer......my response was of course NEXT.

I think once the public realizes that we would work in their best interest, it would be a no brainer.  I mean no one gets paid until they find the perfect home and everything is complete. You would think they wouldn't wander anywhere without us.

I've found that the higher priced the listing, the more the buyers cut out their agent (or the agent claims to be too busy, I dunno). Anyway, when I have an expensive listing, I swear I show it and show it and show it and show it... almost all to represented buyers. I do it, what the heck, I owe it to my seller, but I gotta wonder... Last time I checked a $25,000 commission was worth showing up for...

Congrats on the star - enjoyed the post my friend!

John - We get calls from buyers who announce they have a Realtor, but wonder if we can show them the house!  OR their agent is "on vacation".  Train these buyers.  You have a great writing style, by the way.

As a Loan Officer I'm usually the first to hear about a contract being writen up with just the listing agent...always because they were doing some Sunday house shopping and didn't want to  "bother" their agent. I ask the buyer if they talked to their Realtor first and they usually gloss over the fact they left their Realtor out of the negotiations all together....it's sad really. Clearly they just didn't understand the benefits of representation.

I have asked this same question several times before.  If you have the opportunity to work with an expert in a field and it doesn't cost you anything, you are silly to not take advantage of the opportunity.

Hi John, I like your style! This post is right on the money, why buyers don't understand the risks of going it alone? I don't know. Thank you, I wish they would all read your post!

A fool and his money are soon parted!  There will always be those do-it-yourselfers who think they can get a great deal with out help.  My favorite was the attorney (you would think he'd at least know better) who bought a four bedroom home, only to find out 8 years later it had a two bedroom septic (our buyer agent found it as part of our routine check).  Claims the seller told him it was a four.  Sheesh!

 

 

My favorite is the buyers that call up and want you to show them the house because 'their' agent is too busy for the next few months. ;> (I'm exaggerating)

I have been getting a lot of this too.   "I have an agent - but she suggested we go to open houses on Sunday."  Frankly, its VERY tempting to ask if they signed a contract.  Agents like that don't deserve to keep their buyers.  I DO understand that some agents have to conduct open houses themselves, and that buyers are taking advantage to walk through several homes and cull the listings - but STILL - there are way too many stray buyers running around.  I actually had a buyer tell me on Sunday that her agent doesn't "work weekends." I LOVE this post!

I'm sorry....

I don't know what I find more comical:

1. You not identifying yourself as a real estate agent when approaching potential buyers coming out of an open house

or...

2.  The great Web 2.0 minds on here (Active Rain) that fail to understand the concept of "Book End Selling" and how today's buyer wants to be treated.

I consider my wife and I to be a buyer’s agent dream – first time homebuyers with an established, recession-proof combined income of nearly 100k, stellar credit and zero children to boot. I’ve been doing research on our local area for several months, have identified desirable neighborhoods and been to multiple open houses – all without the need for representation. Truthfully, I like doing the legwork, even though it can be tedious at times. But in the back of my head I am hoping that the effort will save me at least $7500 in commission that I can use towards closing costs…or a boat…or an African safari. Now, I know the trick will be to get the seller to agree to it, but with all the homes in our Gulf town, I think it’ll materialize.

You all say that it’s crazy to make such a large purchase without someone working ‘in my interests.’ Well, let me tell you what our interests are – 1) buying a home at the lowest possible price 2) making certain the home is in good order 3) having a set of professional eyes overlooking the paperwork. All 3 of these interests can be done without a buyer agent – 1) I offer the price, receive counter offers and proceed accordingly. 2) Purchase offers are contingent on satisfactory inspection reports and can be negotiated should the need arise and 3) a RE attorney’s flat fee to overlook the agreement will dwarf what my potential agent would get paid for doing maybe 10 more hours of actual work.

I’m really really really not trying to be a jerk here. I simply feel that the 6% model is antiquated to my generation (especially in this market) and that Real Estate leaders (NAR, etc) are stubborn to how transactions in this industry are assimilating to the digital age. Remarks appreciated.

Hi John~ SOMETIMES the buyers just do these things on their own and USE other agents knowing darn right well what they are doing. They may or may not want representation! Some buyers are NOT always that innocent and do these things you speak of on purpose just to get in a house and look, and sometimes their agents have no clue they are doing this.....so in reality the other agent does not always KNOW what is going on!  Buyers are not always as innocent as they appear! (Buyers do not always have an agent either and may choose not to have one!)  So, sometimes their agent isn't with them because they really didn't tell their agent what they were doing! And sometimes, the buyers think they will save money by not using a agent and going directly to the listing agent and then insist the agent cut the commission.  These buyers fail to understand, the buyer has NO SAY in what the commission is because the commission is negotiated at the time of the listing! 

John,

I work as a transaction broker in Oklahoma.   I do not find this to be a problem since treating everyone fairly and honestly with integrity is the way that we work.  Oklahoma has been a transaction broker state all the time that I have been licensed so I fail to understand why some people believe a buyer needs a different licensee than the seller has.  We work equally for both sides to bring them together if that is possible.  The biting at each other on the different sides is avoided.  I usually get praises and recommendations from both sides of the transaction. 

I think many times buyers do think they can go it alone.  Theinternet has given them a false sense of being able to handle all the issues 

John, I have no problem with buyers going to view Open Houses.

I do have a problem with:

1. Listing agents in the houses saying "to go ahead and write the offer"
2. Buyer calling us to show them a house because their Realtor is an uncle who lives and hour away, their Realtor is busy and they can't wait, they only want to work with the listing agent.

Sometimes I get a call from one of my web sites on a listing and it is not mine because of IDX. So I tell them just a minute,  I need to look it up. 'Oh you're not the listing agent?'

No we share our listings.

Oh well tell me who the listing agent is, I want to call them.

 

 

Very transparent if I may pay you a compliment. We get a huge volume of calls from buyers that only work with listing agents. After my edumacation they usually come around and hook up with an agent and forgo their original beliefs. It is what we do. If their agent is not available then they should wait it get a more available agent. Great post great style.

Twennysomethin,

In the vast majority of cases when you're using a Buyer's Agent, the seller pays the commission, not you.  So why do all the work yourself?  It's not costing you a penny.  Let someone else do the tedious legwork for you!

~Just my 2 cents~

Good Luck!

Bravo, So true..........Many buyers think they get a better deal without an agent.  Soooooooo not true. Great post.

Oh, yeah. Save a buck...by buying through the listing agent.  I have had buyers call me just to show one of my listings.  Then they call back and say this other listing agent told me....XXXX....they won't learn.  They watch some god-awful slick sales person on TV telling them to deal directly with the listing agent to save money.  Do they go to court on their own?  Do they take out their gallbladder on their own?  Probably on both counts.  Stupid is as stupid does. 

Darn where was this post when I needed a third party!  I just had a listing agent lure a potential client away saying that it they worked directly with the seller, they "would take good care of him", not have to pay a co-broke fee and would give him some tile and stainless steel appliances.  The prospect feel for it!

Great post.  I showed several homes this week and it was interesting the sellerswere trying to cover major defects in the property.  I wonder how many untrained eyes fall for the bait and buy a home without an experienced buyers agent representing them?

I guess I'm not doing my job right.  I've never really helped a buyer check out a front door for energy efficiency.  On the first go around, my buyers really aren't taking time to look into all of the fine details of a home.  They are getting a feel for the home.  Will it fit them or  not?  That's kind of a personal thing that can be done without an agent by their side. If it seems like a possible fit, then on the second visit we can kick the tires a little. 

The biggest reason I wouldn't want my clients to be looking by themselves is that they might start talking to the listing agent and reveal something that might hurt them in the negotiations. If they can keep quiet and want to check out some open houses by themselves, then they can have at it. I used to do the same thing myself before I became an agent.

twennysomethin:

The change that you speak of is coming, regardless of how slow the powers-that-be are to resist it.

Now....

"In the vast majority of cases when you're using a Buyer's Agent, the seller pays the commission, not you.  So why do all the work yourself?  It's not costing you a penny."

When in the heck are we going to stop telling that lie? The buyer is going to pay 2 to 3x's with each and every mortgage payment they make.  The seller only "pays" the commissions from the funds that lender gives them with a promise to repay by the buyer. So, it's crazy to say that the buyer doesn't pay the commission (in most cases).

DIVORCE the real estate commission (sorry can't link to it in a comment)! Problem solved.

Hi John -- Right on, and I wish there was an easy way for all consumers (and a few agents) to truly get who should be doing what.

The Internet is a Pandora's Box of info.  Twennysomething thinks he/she can buy a home and negotiate $7500 off the commission . . . HA HA HA . . . in my state commissions CAN NOT be negotiated.  Period.  If the listing agreement, between the seller and listing broker. has a stated percentage for commission, it's not allowed to be negotiated on the SALE of that property.  Period.

I just saved my buyers $16,500 with my representation of them this weekend!  Talking to the listing agent revealed some things that I used to my clients' best interest!

Twennysomething wrote:  "I'm really really really not trying to be a jerk here."

Yeah, you're about to bust apart the entire real estate industry.  HA HA HA.  Smart buyer you! 

Ever hear the old saying:  A lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client.

Antiquated generational gap updates that saying:  A buyer who represents himself has a jerk for a client.

Jessica -

You are wise beyond your years and will evolve as the new, successful species of RE Professional in the age of Dinosaurs

Let me expose a new angle on this discussion, taking Tanisha's 'seller pays commission' and Vickie's 'buyer has no say cause seller negociates commission when listing' comments into account.

I hear it all the time on activerain - the listing agent acts as fiduciary and is working in the best interests of their client.  Agents draft a listing agreement to split the commission with a buyer agent OR take ALL of the commission when sold to an unrepped buyer...so, in effect, their client sees no gain from selling to an unrepped buyer, even though they would be SAVING the extra ~3% commission deduction from the sale price.  That lower price may help them sell before the guy down the street or help them on their next purchase. Isn't it in the seller's interest to get as much for their home as possible..?

So what do homeowners care if the buyer has an agent or not?  All they should care about is cashing that check and moving on.  Therefore, the listing agent is, in effect, acting contrary to their client's interests when drafting these obeslete compensation clauses.

That happens all the time.  I lost a huge commission because the agent told his clients to find a local Realtor to show them properties and then he'd write the offer.  I am going to fight it though, because I did my due dilligence.

I have to take the side of the opposition here.  No matter what you do, your buyers are still going to look for properties on their own, in addition to looking at the ones you bring to their attention.  Rather then try and sway them from something they are going to do anyways, I encourage it.  I represent multiple clients, and can't be with all of them every weekend.  However, I do advise my clients that if they do find a home they have an interest in, that they should inform me so that we can then take a second look at it together.  If the property is located in a hot area, we may even write an offer based on comps in the area just to secure our spot if there is fear the home will not be available long enough for a second viewing.  Here in the state of NV, we have a 5 day right of rescission.  This allows us some time to view the property together in detail while still having the right to withdraw without giving cause.

Great Thought Provoking Posts and lots of great comments.

I am like Joshua - I do encourage my clients to go to Open Houses with my card in hand.  Usually I am doing an Open House!  This is a way for them to preview houses that they might be mildly interested in or houses that are totally different from what they think they want etc. So yes my clients are allowed to attend Opens w/o me.  And when I do Opens and another Agents Buyer comes to the Open I either call that agent or email and let them know their client came and they should follow up to see if they are interested - this is working for my Seller!

Now about Twentysomething - this is the picture of the now generation and I think we all have something to learn from this young man and he has something to learn from us.  We need to embrace this type of customer and then work to make them our client.  I would love to work with a client that knows part of the story they at least know the termanology, the basics, about inspections and sometimes some of the problems they can encounter.  And I say part of the story because yes he did the research and he knows just enough to get him in trouble - so if he hires a Buyers Rep he will finish his story with a happy and financially rewarding ending.  But if he thinks he knows all of the pitfalls of buying a house from his research on the internet and talking with friends he is woefully mistaken.   Yes and his RE Attorney is going to earn that $ he is going to pay him by doing about 2 hours of work from 9:00 to 5:00.  What happens when on Saturday morning the Seller calls and tells Twentysomething that the basement is leaking due to a broken water pipe and he'll fix the pipe but nothing else because the contract Twentysomething used never said that the house would be closed on in the condition it was when the contract was signed, or on Sunday during the inspection the termite damage is discovered to be a $2000.00 liability and possibly the contract was limited to $500.00 with remediation - what happens and who is going to help Twentysomething figure this out.  Or how about the situation like I worked on yesterday - we close on Thursday - on Friday at 4:55pm the closing attorney's office calls me to tell me that my seller has loan that is still active and the closing attorney can not locate the credit union where the loan is supposed to be so it can't be cleared in time to close the property on Thurs - (if you are a REALTOR you know the drill - if you are not that's why you hire a REALTOR)-oh I got it straight and we will close!  Anyway - TwentySomething - The Buyer's REALTOR makes up for everyone else that does not do their job, or just does it to the extent that they just do their job, or they finally got to your piece of paper on the bottom of the stack that reminded them there is a problem with your file!  Your REALTOR works 24/7 - and will take care of issues for you, many times without you even knowing there was an issue!  Oh and what happens on the walkthrough - what's a walkthrough - get yourself a REALTOR!

Thanks for the thoughts and reminding me of why I love being a REALTOR!!  And 85% of my business is First Time Home Buyers - want more hints go to my Blog!

Kathy

Hi Grace!

1.  I never said that a buyer wasn't "tied" to the broker (me).  Agency relationships are clearly defined in the initial buyer counseling session (Book End #1)...and usually entered into.  Not always, but usually. However, entering into an Exclusive Buyers Brokerage Agreement is not a condition of getting the information they want. I believe in giving freely and without strings. Otherwise, you aren't really giving...

I operate with the "Give them wings" and don't be afraid if they fly mentality.

2.  I believe that I was making reference to today's buyer in my post - the information super highway kind of buyer.  As a rule that's how they want to be treated.  There are exceptions...there always are.

3.  No, I have not made reference to buyers "going at a lone" in terms of the entire transaction. It is my understanding that today's buyer does want help.  They want information freely given and help negotiating the purchase and taking care of the details that go along with the purchase (Book End #2). It is my belief that today's buyer would like to have a lot of us in the beginning and at the end.  They don't want to be chaperoned while they drive around looking.  They want some space.

4.  I think you aren't taking into consideration that today's buyer is becoming increasingly more sophisticated because the information is more and more readily available for them to learn. See, putting all the information out there is a double-edged sword. It was put out to increase sales, but it also increased consumer education and understanding of the process. And, I'm fine with that.  The sleeping giant that we call a consumer is waking up...

5.  I am suggesting that the current X% commission with ½ of it being paid to the buyers agent is antiquated and will be replaced. Esp. when many buyers know more about the current market than most agents.  Believe me...many, many do. Sorry, I think most real estate agents are pathetic, but I am known for having impossibly high standards and expectations.

6. Furthermore, I am suggesting that the most commonly used & current compensation model prevents true Buyer Representation.  

The seller contracts with the listing agent for X% with the buyers agent receiving ½ (or so) of X%.

The seller contracts with the listing agent to get them the best price and terms.

The buyers agent is going to be "paid" by the Seller (and often offered bonuses)

The buyer is being "paid" by the party whose  goals are often 180 degrees different.

I'm sorry...that's crazy. It's all just Subagency with a different name and designed to protect the broker.  Not buying it.  Nor, am I going to enter into a long debate about it. Already took place on here.

The real estate commission will have to be divorced to have true buyer representation. When buyers begin to sit at the Grownup Table and pay their agents for services rendered - that's when we will have true buyer representation.

7.  I've been a consistent top producer for many reasons, but one of them is my ability to spot the trend and positioning myself to stay ahead of it. I see the trend now and I'm planning to stay ahead of it.  Times are a changing....

That makes my opinion very much disliked by many of the old-school (regardless of them coming online to "blog" or not) ‘gate keepers'.  I'm fine with that too.  I'm not in a popularity contest.

"So as to this question, I say, for the those buyers prepared to reap the rewards AND suffer the consequences of purchasing a home by themselves"

The same can be said about picking the RIGHT agent...

I love it! Great approach on why you should hire a BA. I have never understood the reluctance of the many buyers to do just that. Re-Blog!

Amen!  Great post and very true!  I am proud to say that after polling many buyers when I worked as a buyer's agent, I have never sold my own listing.  I insist on getting them a buyer rep and taking a referral, I get paid (not as much, but I can sleep at night) and they get what they are entitled to...someone to watch over them.  I heard 100% of the people I asked...and yes there were many...say that the last home they bought was through the listing agent and they felt like they got screwed.  I thought...I never want anyone to say that about me!  Hence, the business practice of never selling my own listings!  Thanks for the post!

Wonderfully put.  Many don't realize that without a buyers rep agent, then the listing agent makes the whole commission.  So there is no savings, unless its a newhome, then the salesperson gets the bonus.  Either way, that commission money is still spent by the seller.  So why not get representation?  Oh, if only we could educate the public easily. 

Lots of interesting comments!  Thanks for the post!

Excellent post. Many home buyers do not understand the benefit of having a negotiating expert on their side.

Good post. TWENNY is right on certain levels, which is why he struck a nerve. This industry is changing. The "x% or die" method does not work anymore.

I founded my company based on the assumption sellers would pay for what level they asked me to do, and all our buyers pay to be represented by us.

Why should the seller be footing the bill?

A funny thing happened on the way to the usual banter that occurs following a post such as this. Readers actually took the time to offer a few different ways to view this.

I appreciate the kind words shared by many of you. It is exceedingly difficult to tackle some issues and present a complete picture of one's feelings. I am guilty of condensing an original thought process here to a more readable length.

My feelings remain as stated. 

Now, there are a few that I wish to address directly.

Lenn - you were light years ahead of your time and industry when you began practicing buyer representation. It still has not evolved. As you know, change is hindered by the fact that our industry is ruled by States Rights. All the young folks that are passionately angst ridden have yet to understand the vast differences that exist from one state to another. The NAR may take the pot shots but they are the National Association of Realtors. 

TLW - just seeing your post made my heart happy. it is great to see that you are recovering and that BB will come under your control again.

Jessica Horton - arrogance is so unbecoming. are you implying that chatting with buyers come out of house requires disclosure of my profession? none were solicited. no names were taken. i was just a guy outside taking an exit poll. regarding your remarks about the failure of agents to understand your hallowed "book end" selling and how customers want to be treated.........i just have to say, they only serve to tell everyone something you might be better served to keep to yourself. the practice of real estate existed and evolved long before you graced us with your presence and i dare say it has continued to thrive by practitioners that use many varied styles and approaches. the truth of the matter is that the biggest factor of success for any agent is the innate ability to be in the right place at the right time.

much later you share disdain for most agents with the statement you find most agents "pathetic" and go on to validate that with the follow-up that you are know for having impossibly high standards and expectations. what standards can you possibly be referring to with that statement. what do you measure? have you still failed to understand that every time you claim to be superior, you are exhibiting behavior that is ego centric and not compassion based. 

today's clients are more informed. information is available at the flick of a finger. the reliability of that information is always suspect.

You are well spoken and have a following. You mention you are not in a personality contest. None of us are. We are all attempting to present our points of view and share our style. Not one thought or idea is of greater importance than another. It is unfortunate that many of the things you share are flavored with statements that are pejorative regarding other agents.

But thanks for sharing............I will address what I perceive to be the fallacy in "divorcing" commissions in a post of my own. You will be free to share your wit, wisdom and barbs.

Twennysomethin - your thoughts are appreciated. you can voice your opinion freely. what you have to understand is that although, you may feel you are representative of your generation, you only represent you. Realtors have to deal with buyers that come from all levels of education, income and lifestyles. as much as the newcomers to home buying are convinced that they are brand new and their needs are much different than any other group.............they are wrong. they have the same needs. they are seeking a new home. they are seeking a comfort level in purchasing that new home. how we communicate and move through the process has changed. i realize it pains the younger generation to hear that they do not have a franchise on new technology. 

change has occured. information is available regarding listings. there is a great deal of information that you can ingest. i would only urge you to realize that any generation that puts it's faith in wikopedia has lost the ability to separate the chafe from the grain.

Jon,

First, thank you for writing a post that actually stimulated my interest and made me want to comment.

Second, thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts and opinions.

Third, I am a superior agent.  I work hard to make sure that I am.  Now, that doesn't make me better or more valuable as a person, but I am a superior agent.  We're only equal in opportunity...not in outcome. It isn't my job to be compassionate to other agents. It's my job to sell houses and get my clients the best terms possible.

Blind arrogance is just as unbecoming....

Note to all........... I do believe it is inherently my job to be compassionate. What is compassion? I checked a couple of sources. One, the old reliable Mirriam-Webster dictionary which offers : Compassion as a sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. Just to be fair to the gen x,y and z folks, I also went to wikipedia which stated (as of today..wikipedia can change as often as the wind blows) Compassion is a profound human emotion prompted by the pain of others. More vigorous than empathy, the feeling commonly gives rise to an active desire to alleviate another's suffering. It is often, though not inevitably, the key component in what manifests in the social context as altruism. In ethical terms, the various expressions down the ages of the so-called Golden Rule embody by implication the principle of compassion: Do to others what you would have them do to you.

So, when I sit with potential clients, after revealing the necessary information required by State law, I listen. It would seem to me that many intellectuals have determined that all decisions are based on pleasure vs. pain. Pain is usually accompanied by distress. It may be that their current living situation is not suitable. Their reason for feeling this way is of no consequence to me. They are in distress. The pleasure they seek involves relocating to a new living situation. It is my compassion for their situation that motivates me to do my best to alleviate their distress. I do my best to follow the theoretical golden rule regarding my interaction with everyone involved in the transaction.

I do not view other agents as pathetic. Although, I do find it interesting that Mirriam-Webster describes pathetic as : having a capacity to move one to either compassionate or contemptuous pity. It would seem that one that professes to find others pathetic is stating that one has some degree of either compassion or contempt. Maybe there is a kernel of hope inside those that profess to possess no compassion, but I digress.

For the record, I think that the majority of real estate agents are doing the best that they can do. Some are more proficient than others. Different levels of proficiency are found in all professions. Working with others that may not have the same skill set is an opportunity to share professional skill sets. Protecting the interests of one's client never requires anyone to turn a blind or scornful eye to stumbles by those on the other side of the transaction.

On the arrogance matter.....an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions. If have blindly stated something that any of you might perceive overbearing, presumptuous or assumptive, you have my apology. 

Regardless of one's membership status in the NAR, I happen to believe in their shared code of ethics. I don't believe membership is required, but I do believe that the ethics should be shared across the board. A small portion states...."Realizing that cooperation with other real estate professionals promotes the best interests of those who utilize their services, REALTORS® urge exclusive representation of clients; do not attempt to gain any unfair advantage over their competitors; and they refrain from making unsolicited comments about other practitioners.

In instances where their opinion is sought, or where REALTORS® believe that comment is necessary, their opinion is offered in an objective, professional manner, uninfluenced by any personal motivation or potential advantage or gain.

The term REALTOR® has come to connote competency, fairness, and high integrity resulting from adherence to a lofty ideal of moral conduct in business relations. No inducement of profit and no instruction from clients ever can justify departure from this ideal. In the interpretation of this obligation, REALTORS® can take no safer guide than that which has been handed down through the centuries, embodied in the Golden Rule, “Whatsoever ye would that others should do to you, do ye even so to them.”

 

 

John:

I apologize for coming back. I thought it was obvious from my last comment that we agreed to disagree, but since I've been addressed: Here I am...

Grace:

FYI...the only opinions that I'm really interested in are from consumers (one on here who seemed to really like the way that I operate) and the RE/MAX agent by the name of Ann who read this post and is sending me a referral for the Atlanta area.  Now, maybe I'm wrong, but I don't seem to recall you changing my diapers when I was first born and I'm pretty confident that the position of 'mother' has been quite happily filled over the 27 years. Thank you. I'll let you know when I have vacancy, but I hope it isn't for a long, long time.

Now, I realize this may seem very crass, but I don't really care if you or any other agent here understands my point or not. Many, many consumers understand my point....and that matters to me a great deal. Every time I have a gang group of Realtors(r) on my back...I double my efforts because I know that I'm on the right path.

No, I am not a Realtor(r). I proudly canceled my membership to the NAR because I refuse to financially support the CARTEL.  What about the COE?  Funny thing...I'm not the one being drug into my office to apologize for being unethical.  Yet, 3 or 4 times a year, I have other brokers bringing other agents to me to apologize for their behavior and <gasp> unethical conduct.  Having one of those issues right now....

So please....spare me the hypocrisy. I could dissect that COE line by line and show it to be completely anti-competitive and anti-consumer, but I will save that post for my Blog.  Like a politician...lip-service and talking out of both sides of the mouth. However, it is very PRO-broker - I will give them that.

Integrity and Ethics can't be purchased every 4-years for $199.99 and annual memberships to the NAR.

Grace,

As a general rule...the more shocked and outraged a person gets, the more self-righteous they are.  Nothing quite shocks me...not even the complete hypocrisy of your comments. I have to wonder to whom are you really speaking?

See, I think if you really had any true ‘wisdom'  to share with me...you would have shared it by just keeping your mouth shut and saying to yourself, "Self, she's just like me at that age and she'll one day learn."  Instead, you seem hell-bent on trying to "debase" me by superimposing your norms and standards, by coming back and commenting on something that doesn't even concern you. You seem to want to stand outside the open house also and interfere with the sovereignty of others.

However, your masquerade that ‘concern' of yours very well, but it's really just self-righteousness. You sound like the ‘reformed' drinker that got saved.  Now, you're on a mission to get others to stop drinking too. I don't think good works is gonna get you into heaven and it certainly isn't going to score any brownie points with me.

Again, I don't care if you agree with me or not. I do care very much that a growing number of the population of consumers agree with me.  My life doesn't depend upon your agreement or disagreement.  My life depends on taking care of my clients and always putting their best interest first.  So, I don't know what you expect me to do: Drop dead or come groveling at your feet?

I'm not debasing anyone. I am stating an opinion on how I view the professionalism of most real estate agents that have "graced me" with their presence. I find them lacking in thought, action and results. I also find them for the most part to be lazy, uncaring, and completely self-absorbed. Unwilling to properly do their job, invest in the tools and training needed for success and incapable of original ideas. However, every once in a blue moon ---I come across another agent that really knocks my socks off.  However, that is rare. Very rare.  And, that is sad.

No, that someday will not come.  I don't have to run to others to solve my problems.  I know where to go and whom to speak to about any problems that I encounter.  Also, I do not base my significance on the number of transactions that I close, how much I make, where I live, what type of car I drive, etc..etc...

My self-worth is based on something that I don't think you could even begin to comprehend.  

Though you believe that I am in disharmony...it isn't disharmony at all. I'm actually very fun loving and quite happy. I'm not the least bit upset about your comments. I knew they would be coming.  Although, I am quite impressed with how quickly they came.

" So, as I've said previously, I can appreciate your view.  I speak to you as a peer--one who is your equal, and that, Jessica, is pulling you UP from where you are now."

That's just dang well funny that you actually believe that and don't see the (blind) arrogance (the very thing that I am accused of having..I guess that's why they call it Blind Arrogance, huh?) in that statement.  You'll be happy to know that I go into a transaction giving the proper respect to the agent based on professional courtesy - even when I'm dealing with people like you.  However, that respect usually quickly evaporates and my good opinion once lost...is pretty much lost forever.

I don't care if I have your respect or the other agents respect or not. I do care if I have the respect of my client/customer that I am representing. I am not about to become part of the herd-bound herd of Realtors® just to walk around feeling important and playing little games and stroking little egos.  Again, another funny thing:  I'm not the one running into me years later and apologizing for my behavior and stating that I was wrong on how I handled a past transaction. Yet, it happens again and again and again to me. I wonder why that is?

I will tell you why:

See, most agents tend to get very self-righteous, nasty and have a chip on their shoulder when standing in the presence of agents that are by far their superiors.   So, instead they lash out to make themselves feel better.  I quietly take it and endure to ensure that my clients home closes and I move on.

Just like I'm moving on now....

P.S.  Please allow me to pull you up to my level.  My business for being on here (Active Rain) is my business and NONE of your business.  That's called: Freedom, privacy and self-determination. Something that you obviously fail to understand, or you wouldn't be asking me questions that are none of your dang business. I know it's hard, but please try to stop standing out in front of the open house...

Now, that we're on the same level: It's kind of lonely up here, isn't it?  But, the view sure is pretty and makes it all worth while.

Jessica:

You're obviously always right, have nothing to learn from your peers, and have misconstrued each of my posts, so--in deference to you--I have removed every comment that I have made on this question.  As I've said previously, I do wish you good luck in your business.  And from here on out I will smile and know that someday you will learn from your mistakes.

Good luck to you!

 

That's way more clever than I was expcteing. Thanks!

I hate my life but at least this makes it baaerlbe.

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