In the past week I have run into so many sleazy realtor situations that I just have to vent about it.  I feel that the techniques and ways of doing business that I am about to describe are ruining the reputation of realtors and it needs to be called out.

I'm tired of talking to clients after they have spoken to a realtor and feel that they are a dishonest realtor trying to get the next sale, doing anything to get the next pay cheque.  It's out there in the real estate business and it is disgusting.  I feel that the increased market struggles we are seeing, due to the falling oil prices are bringing out the desperate and the crazies.

There are realtors out there that will do anything to get you through the door, or to get you to open your door to let them in.  It drives me nuts because it leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth and makes the whole industry look bad.  Not every realtor is a salesman!  There are honest, truthful, hardworking agents out there that would like nothing better to do then represent you and look out for your best interests.  The car salesmen style agents are making it bad for everyone.  Not only do they make it bad for the consumer but they degrade the industry and paint all agents with a negative brush.

Look at this post on the most untrusted professions,  there are many more showing that realtors are at the bottom of the list and at the bottom; car salesman.

The tactics that I have seen over the last week  are nothing that I want to be associated with.  Who wants to be a sleazy salesman?  Who wants to be remembered that way?  It won't bring you repeat business and likely brings you lots of rejection.    Stop using the techniques of bait and switch.  Realtors who say something to get in the door, to get you to listen to their sales pitch and then retract their supposed 'good deal' are weak.  If you say something your better do it.  Here is a list of just a few things I saw happen this week that are questionable

1.  Telling someone their home is worth more then it is to get a listing.  Then wasting the sellers time and opportuntity to sell because of your high listing price.  Then the time and eneergy spent telling the owner that their home is worth less, pestering them for a price drop when you know that you took the listing too high to begin with.

2.  Saying you will negotiate your commission, then once you are standing with the person face-to-face, spinning the topic and saying that you will market their home strongly and get them the best value for their home.  Just say you won't negotiate on commission from the start.  Why say you will then negotiate it and then change your tune when you show up?  I rarely negotiate commission, but I will never say that I will, just to get through your door so that I can then say "surprise I actually don't"

3.  Giving incorrect information, whether you know it or not.  What are you thinking?  If you need to know something about a property then find out.  Don't bullshit an answer that you are not sure about. When it comes out that you are wrong you just look like a poor agent.  Know your product, represent your client.

4.  Trying to sell me as another member in the industry.  Don't give me the "oh you can do it"  "I know you can bring it together bullshit" .  I am quite aware and confident in my abilities and know that I will do my best to make it happen.  Trying to 'sell' me on your offer while we are on the phone is crap.  Don't feed bs to people.

People already feel that realtors are slimy.  When I served as a pilot in the military and people asked me what I did I didn't have to feel bad about saying my profession.  It was easy, "I'm a pilot in the military"; people respect that, they don't question your integrity, your values your way of doing business.  Tell someone you are a realtor and watch the reaction.   It has changed for sure, no one is ever like "that's awesome way to go!".  There is often a story about how they got screwed when buying there home or how their realtor was shifty.  There needs to be a better code of ethics in real estate but until they stop making it easier to become a realtor and increase the course to longer then 3 weeks what can we expect?

Till next time, call out people's bs and don't let someone feed you their bogus sales pitch.  Work with a realtor because they are honest and take the time to find out about you and your needs; don't just base it on the number of transactions they have completed.  It might take a few interviews but you'll find someone that is not only looking for the next sale but looking to honestly build a relationship with you and truly represent your interests.

Do you agree?  Do you have a real estate horror story?

Tim