- Find a Real Estate Professional
- Realtors®
- Mortgage Lenders
- Home Improvement Pros
- Other Real Estate Services
- Review an Agent, Lender or Pro
- Marketing on Zillow
- Real Estate Agent Advertising
- Join the Professional Directory
- Popular
- Real Estate Market Reports
- More
Answers (17)
- Nancy Lee, "An OrderLee Home"
- Contributions:1195
It's just human nature, isn't it? In this forum some people prove themselves by going out an finding the knowledge needed to answer questions appropriately, some people answer any question that appeals to them using their own opinion (and possibly forgetting to go find the knowledge first, some people answer questions by explaining "I am better than anyone else, trust me on this, call me and if you hire me I will help you." Just human nature.
I think the really important point this thread verifies is that agents are, in fact, human.
I think the really important point this thread verifies is that agents are, in fact, human.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25139
LOL I'd pay to see that. How about a Springer show titled "Your agent's a bust and my agent's the bomb!" where clients fight about who's agent is best. You could put the supposed "REA's" in the front row so they could jump on stage at the opportune moment with a shoe. Now that's good television.
- Tiffany Bond, "TiffanyBond"
- Contributions:3010
Ok, I would pay to see an agent stand up and say "You just jealous" like they are on Maury Povich :) - an extra nickel if they throw a shoe like they are on Jerry Springer.
- SoCal_Engr
- Contributions:5666
Clarification...
I draw a distinction between correcting/challenging an incorrect statement or challenging marginal behavior, and hacking on other pros.
In my opinion, REAs who don't let the erroneous information slide, or who work to inform consumers about their rights and challenge REA behavior that is not in the consumer's interest, are the one's who are working to improve their profession's image.
However, I am talking about the "I can find information that others can't, because..." or "I can sell your house when others can't..." or "I can close deals where others fail..." type of self-promotion. Shouldn't, in theory, all REAs have access to the same, more-or-less, resources as others? Isn't that the reason everyone joins the local instantiation of NAR, to gain equal access to listings/resources? That's not to discount the leverage of a successful brokerage, but...
This is not to completely discount any truth in these types of statements. The reality is, given an even playing field, the difference in performance is going to be driven by individual effort, experience, and expertise. However, does it really help the overall profession to hammer this point home in a us-v-them comparison vice letting your record stand on it's own?
- Dan, "the_country_hick"
- Contributions:4699
Sharon, is saying that an agent is wrong disrespectful?
Is saying an agent has no clue what they are talking about disrespectful?
Is explaining that an agent who said something (that if followed could be very hurtful to a buyer) wrong is wrong disrespectful?
Here is my issue with this. If the rules of ethics say you can not say anything bad about another agent that is disrespectful to every agent and buyer. When someone is doing bad things they should be called out for it. If someone is an idiot saying so should be allowed and encouraged. In that way the idiocy can be upgraded to knowledgeable if the person involved is capable of that.
Is saying an agent has no clue what they are talking about disrespectful?
Is explaining that an agent who said something (that if followed could be very hurtful to a buyer) wrong is wrong disrespectful?
Here is my issue with this. If the rules of ethics say you can not say anything bad about another agent that is disrespectful to every agent and buyer. When someone is doing bad things they should be called out for it. If someone is an idiot saying so should be allowed and encouraged. In that way the idiocy can be upgraded to knowledgeable if the person involved is capable of that.
- Robin Lynch, "robin398"
- Contributions:1935
Forgive me for my horrible spelling.
- Robin Lynch, "robin398"
- Contributions:1935
It would be nice though if agents would research their links before pasting them into their answers. Their is 1 agent on Trulia who is a VIP with 3 stars who constantly gives erroneous information. She is from LI and constantly answers questions in other areas but gives the wrong information.
I agree that you don't have to cut them down but it is a dis-service to the customer who is looking for the right information.
I agree that you don't have to cut them down but it is a dis-service to the customer who is looking for the right information.
- Joan Braunschweiger, "Morris County NJ"
- Contributions:1543
I find a huge difference in "dissing" an agent or talking badly about them due to personal issues and bringing up serious ethical or negligent issues that an agent might have.
There is no comparison and I wish that more agents would speak up about the truly "bad" agents out there instead of turning our heads the other way or just whispering amongst ourselves.
The responsibility we have with the minimum standards that are set is mind-boggling to me and I feel that sometimes the only buffer there is between an incompetent, negligent or unethical agent and a poor unwitting client/customer is other agents.
There is no comparison and I wish that more agents would speak up about the truly "bad" agents out there instead of turning our heads the other way or just whispering amongst ourselves.
The responsibility we have with the minimum standards that are set is mind-boggling to me and I feel that sometimes the only buffer there is between an incompetent, negligent or unethical agent and a poor unwitting client/customer is other agents.
- hpvanc
- Contributions:2579
"If an agent is a member of the Realtor association, ethically they are expected to not 'dis' another agent."
Doesn't this ensure that the ethics of the organization and occupation cannot rise above the lowest ethical common denominator? If that is really part of the code, it is among the many items I have been told about in the NAR Code of Ethics that I, as a consumer, take issue with. I should probably take the time to read it some day.
Doesn't this ensure that the ethics of the organization and occupation cannot rise above the lowest ethical common denominator? If that is really part of the code, it is among the many items I have been told about in the NAR Code of Ethics that I, as a consumer, take issue with. I should probably take the time to read it some day.
- Tim Moore, "Kitty_Hawk_NC"
- Contributions:151
Having an engineering degree from college I know a few engineers that are in need of a new career too. Each time they would apply for a job they start out by saying how the other guy was stupid or did it wrong. Such is life on the corporate ladder. In each law suit there are two lawyers each confident they are right and the other guy is an idiot. Each time the two are 50% right, what does this say about the other one?
- Sharon Lewis, "Sharon Lewis"
- Contributions:3923
If an agent is a member of the Realtor association, ethically they are expected to not 'dis' another agent.
But its a jealously thing in any business isn't it? I recently dealt with an attorney who took a shot at my clients attorney and my clients attorney shot the other attorney an email letting them know that the other attorneys 'boss' was his old college buddy....haha- justice....
I am proud of the Realtors I work with at my firm. Their knowledge and dedication to their clients is admirable. What a lot of people don't realize is that most Realtors are a highly skilled,highly trained dedicated group of professionals.
But its a jealously thing in any business isn't it? I recently dealt with an attorney who took a shot at my clients attorney and my clients attorney shot the other attorney an email letting them know that the other attorneys 'boss' was his old college buddy....haha- justice....
I am proud of the Realtors I work with at my firm. Their knowledge and dedication to their clients is admirable. What a lot of people don't realize is that most Realtors are a highly skilled,highly trained dedicated group of professionals.
- Debra (Debbie) Rose, "Livingston NJ"
- Contributions:2733
I can provide a testimonial for Joan - we had lunch, and she didn't stink.
- Joan Braunschweiger, "Morris County NJ"
- Contributions:1543
Sunny, I don't stink as an agent.
LOL!
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
LOL!
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25139
Some agents stink or are not professional or honest or tuned in to the market. I think that saying that you don't stink as an agent is a bad thing. I find no reason to trod on others backs to explain your experience, but pointing out your strengths is what you have to do to get business.
- Joan Braunschweiger, "Morris County NJ"
- Contributions:1543
That's funny. I haven't been in the business long enough to have a bunch of letters after my name and I certainly can't claim to have more experience than the vast majority of agents out there.
Yet oddly, I still have no issue telling agents when I think they are representing our profession poorly. Its hard not to let my frustration show, although I try to be respectful, perhaps not always perceived that way.
Hmmm, maybe that's why so many agents on Trulia don't appreciate my presence on that site.
I have to say I'm pretty sure my own self-image has not been enhanced when I take another agent or agents to task.
I simply feel better.
Yet oddly, I still have no issue telling agents when I think they are representing our profession poorly. Its hard not to let my frustration show, although I try to be respectful, perhaps not always perceived that way.
Hmmm, maybe that's why so many agents on Trulia don't appreciate my presence on that site.
I have to say I'm pretty sure my own self-image has not been enhanced when I take another agent or agents to task.
I simply feel better.
- Dan, "the_country_hick"
- Contributions:4699
Socal, you need to hire me.
Behind my name I have a
CRS (Can't Remember Shtuff)
BS (Bull Shtuff)
PBS (Pure Bull Shtuff)
PHD (Piled Higher & Deeper)
MS (More of the Same) and a few other things that other agents do not.
Never mind that it only took taking a short class to get those designations and they mean nothing. I am now a letter-man. Didn't we all learn in school that being a letter-man meant something?
It is all about marketing. How many say my competency is unmatched with my 25 years of experience and leave it at that? The advertising courses say to embellish and create a need then fulfill that need. Thus many add a lot of useless crap to look good.
If I make others look less desirable it makes me more desirable... right?
Behind my name I have a
CRS (Can't Remember Shtuff)
BS (Bull Shtuff)
PBS (Pure Bull Shtuff)
PHD (Piled Higher & Deeper)
MS (More of the Same) and a few other things that other agents do not.
Never mind that it only took taking a short class to get those designations and they mean nothing. I am now a letter-man. Didn't we all learn in school that being a letter-man meant something?
It is all about marketing. How many say my competency is unmatched with my 25 years of experience and leave it at that? The advertising courses say to embellish and create a need then fulfill that need. Thus many add a lot of useless crap to look good.
If I make others look less desirable it makes me more desirable... right?
- Tiffany Bond, "TiffanyBond"
- Contributions:3010
I'm sure it's in the approach. I don't go out of my way to make others look bad, but do try to correct misinformation and make sure that a balanced view is presented...but that is usually when someone is spouting nonsense that by virtue of being written on Zillow makes agents look bad. (A la "no one has a crystal ball," "they aren't making anymore land," "here are 5 [not] good reasons to buy now," etc...)
Of course, I'm not hunting for clients right now either ;)
Of course, I'm not hunting for clients right now either ;)
Isn't self-promoting by pointing out other REA's shortcomings a self-defeating approach
Not that I'm disagreeing that there are many REAs who have no business in the business, but it is funny that one of the best reinforcements of the notion that many REAs are less-than-competent comes from...other REAs seeking to enhance their own self-image.
Stating a discriminatory preference in an advertisement for housing is illegal. If you think this content is discriminatory or otherwise inappropriate and feel it should be removed from Zillow, please let us know by completing the information above.
We will review this content. Thanks for helping make the site more useful to everyone. To learn more, read Zillow's Good Neighbor Policy.