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Replies (27)
- Tiffany Bond, "TiffanyBond"
- Contributions:3010
There is a huge difference between not being in agreement with someone's perspective and say, calling someone derogatory names. Unfortunately, many people cannot tell the difference.
- SoCal_Engr
- Contributions:5649
Your opinion has merit. But, then how would you handle...
REAs who...
post advertisements vice provide information?
provide information/advice that ignores the current reality?
provide blatantly incorrect information?
represent your profession poorly...on a public forum?
In the interests of those who troll Zillow for RE advice, isn't it somewhat necessary to contradict the spam/misinformation posted by some?
In the interests of your profession, wouldn't it be better to be seen as trying to control/improve the behavior/expertise/advice of those in your profession, vice presenting a united - but crappy - face to the general public?
REAs who...
post advertisements vice provide information?
provide information/advice that ignores the current reality?
provide blatantly incorrect information?
represent your profession poorly...on a public forum?
In the interests of those who troll Zillow for RE advice, isn't it somewhat necessary to contradict the spam/misinformation posted by some?
In the interests of your profession, wouldn't it be better to be seen as trying to control/improve the behavior/expertise/advice of those in your profession, vice presenting a united - but crappy - face to the general public?
- Scott Miller, "ScottSellsFL"
- Contributions:82
Personally, I have zero tolerance for agents that spam or post racist views. Pretty shocking, but they're out there all the time.
- Joan Braunschweiger, "Morris County NJ"
- Contributions:1543
Tiffany, what you say sounds reasonable. I don't think that just disagreeing with someone gives anyone the right to tear anyone apart. Different perspectives and points of view are what make a website worthwhile, in my opinion.
My issue is with agents who post in such a manner as to further tarnish a profession which is already suffering from negative public perceptions.
Then, my patience runs out because I'm sick of feeling as if I need to defend what I do all the time and coming on websites such as this one, I find myself embarrassed by some of my fellow agents and realize its agents such as these that make my job so much harder.
My issue is with agents who post in such a manner as to further tarnish a profession which is already suffering from negative public perceptions.
Then, my patience runs out because I'm sick of feeling as if I need to defend what I do all the time and coming on websites such as this one, I find myself embarrassed by some of my fellow agents and realize its agents such as these that make my job so much harder.
Respect has to be earned, not demanded.
- broker_GRI
- Contributions:3454
Respect is something that is earned (and lost),
typically over time and experiences.
In relation to agents not respecting each other in
a public forum... are we supposed to
"Co-sign the agent ""party line"" to be in compliance?
What exactly are the parameters for your version of "respect"?
If it is that we agree, then I vote that we always agree
with what I say.
- Tiffany Bond, "TiffanyBond"
- Contributions:3010
Joan - believe me, I am there with you. Frequently it is all I can do not to post telling someone they are a moron and making us all look bad. It takes a lot more energy to write a thoughtful, explanatory response...and often that response is seen as being highly offensive to the person who looks silly in the first place because they are willfully or unintentionally oblivious to the ills of their ways. It is why you will notice me disappear periodically and take a mental break so I have the stamina to politely disagree with agents who are spamalicious, downright misleading, or don't pay attention to date stamps or geography (I love the ones who post to someone who clearly states they are in California that if their property is in Florida they are happy to help).
I'm sure with more time you'll find a good balance between humorous snark and helpful information. ;)
I'm sure with more time you'll find a good balance between humorous snark and helpful information. ;)
- Joan Braunschweiger, "Morris County NJ"
- Contributions:1543
Sheesh Tiffany, at least you called my snarkiness humorous.
I have spent a lot of time posting on Trulia this past year (until they kicked off the esteemed Mr.Dunes) and my patience has worn thin from trying to explain kindly and intelligently to agents that their posts put us in a bad light.
I've been there, done that and if snark is what it takes, then snark is what I'll give.
- Tiffany Bond, "TiffanyBond"
- Contributions:3010
You're joining the dark side Joan! Perhaps our "Army of Darkess" will provide some genuine information (*gasp*) along with the plucky comic relief.
Joan, tiffany, gri, jennifer, and a bunch of others I'm forgetting right now, I hold in high respect. I'd happily recommend them to any buyers I had buying in their respective areas.
It's the "buy now, cause I said so" "I'm a glass is half full" "nobody has crystal balls" "its a bottom because NAR said so" "you are paying your landlord's rent" "you don't build equity in a rental" cliched nonsense that brings out my snarkiness.
It's the "buy now, cause I said so" "I'm a glass is half full" "nobody has crystal balls" "its a bottom because NAR said so" "you are paying your landlord's rent" "you don't build equity in a rental" cliched nonsense that brings out my snarkiness.
- Tiffany Bond, "TiffanyBond"
- Contributions:3010
Thanks Rob...and you forgot my favorite "Buy, Buy, Buy!"
- droopyd
- Contributions:403
Usually I like a knock down, drag out internet flame war - but the ones here aren't even remotely interesting or amusing.
If you're going to have at it, at least make it entertaining for the rest of us!
If you're going to have at it, at least make it entertaining for the rest of us!
- Joan Braunschweiger, "Morris County NJ"
- Contributions:1543
Jeez droopyd, now that was snarky!
- SoCal_Engr
- Contributions:5649
@ TiffanyH - Since you are worried about the image of the REA in a public forum, what do you think of a fellow REA who ignores Zillow's "anti-spam" rules, like this agent's post on this thread? Isn't that person just a slug for thumbing their nose at Zillow's rules and dragging their professions's image further into the muck?
- broker_GRI
- Contributions:3454
Well DroopyD,
That is soooo Zillow 2007-2008
"Best time to buy" ever ... ever
That is soooo Zillow 2007-2008
"Best time to buy" ever ... ever
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25115
As a potential client, I want to know that my agent has a commitment to their clients, a brain and an interest in being truthful. Sitting on your hands and grinning while other marginal agents happily spread misinformation is wrong. That is part of why bad or at at least mediocre agents seem to outnumber good ones at the street level.
Agents are people too. People have opinions. While I don't advocate personal attacks in any way, the discussion of honest differences of opinion help potential clients learn more about agents who post, promote honest exploration of issues and keep the less honest professionals from painting an NAR happy face on everything. If you expect Zillow to be one unified REA party with ® shaped pom poms, you may be in the wrong place. Here ideas are honestly discussed. Shutter...
Agents are people too. People have opinions. While I don't advocate personal attacks in any way, the discussion of honest differences of opinion help potential clients learn more about agents who post, promote honest exploration of issues and keep the less honest professionals from painting an NAR happy face on everything. If you expect Zillow to be one unified REA party with ® shaped pom poms, you may be in the wrong place. Here ideas are honestly discussed. Shutter...
- hpvanc
- Contributions:2550
When I look for people to work with, I look for people who are trying to improve their profession and raise the bar for others in the profession. I here this a lot in my own non-sales profession, however I find it exceedingly difficult to work with the people that do not acknowledge that the current state is not perfect, or believe that we can only discuss that fact amongst ourselves out of the public discussion.
I actually think the ones that can only discuss it behind doors out of the public discussion are better at doing their job, since they aren't in total denial, but harm the profession more, since they are conducting discussions independent of the services users. The unintended consequence is it usually leads to a more image damaging solution than that of the original problem.
I actually think the ones that can only discuss it behind doors out of the public discussion are better at doing their job, since they aren't in total denial, but harm the profession more, since they are conducting discussions independent of the services users. The unintended consequence is it usually leads to a more image damaging solution than that of the original problem.
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26648
Sunnyview has extraordinarily high standards. She wants a brain? My, oh my!!
- SteadyState
- Contributions:783
That's all that is missing from the current inefficient real estate marketplace - the "NAR wall of silence". Go for it. In fact, agents should propose an amendment to the NAR rulebook "Thou shalt not express any information or views that can in anyway be used in demonstrating the idiocy of any other agent".
- Debra (Debbie) Rose, "Livingston NJ"
- Contributions:2726
One of the thngs I like about Zillow (as compared to Trulia where I hung my shingle for the past 2 years) is that here they ALLOW you to call someone out for posting spam or answering a 2 year old question....on Trulia, I often had my comments deleted when I did that - they said they were "off topic" - what a breath of fresh air to be able to tell someone how silly they look "advising" a seller on what to do, when they asked their question in April, 2008.
- Tim Gullicksen, "Tim Gullicksen"
- Contributions:129
I absolutely agree. When one agent tears down another they both end up looking pretty bad.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25115
What if one of those agents is giving out the wrong information? Is calling them out for the igit that they obviously are on the subject wrong? I don't think so.
Example: Several agents posted that you could buy your house from a close family member and still claim the $8000 buyers credit. They did not stop until other agents corrected them and posted the link to the IRS rules.
Zillow is an information site not a back patting Truliafest. If competent agents sit on their hands when incorrect information is posted, they should not be saluted for "not tearing down" other agents.
Example: Several agents posted that you could buy your house from a close family member and still claim the $8000 buyers credit. They did not stop until other agents corrected them and posted the link to the IRS rules.
Zillow is an information site not a back patting Truliafest. If competent agents sit on their hands when incorrect information is posted, they should not be saluted for "not tearing down" other agents.
- Tiffany Bond, "TiffanyBond"
- Contributions:3010
And sunny just brought us full circle....the difference between a cat fight and correcting misinformation. I think the debates on economic policy or disagreements on philsophy DON'T make us look bad. In fact, opposing viewpoints on this often allow many of us to genuinely educate consumers who may be interested in policy discussions while showing that some of us have taken a great deal of energy to continue our educations. What does make us look bad is being catty for no reason, hypocracy, unsupported statements of "fact," or agents who complain that agents need to just get along who are simply pissed off that they were the ones corrected for looking like dopes.
I really love that this forum calls people to the carpet when they post things that are trite, unsubstantiated, or just plain dumb. It demonstrates that there are people in the industry working on change by participating in the process.
I really love that this forum calls people to the carpet when they post things that are trite, unsubstantiated, or just plain dumb. It demonstrates that there are people in the industry working on change by participating in the process.
- doodle1213
- Contributions:3
I agree with Tiffany. I just joined this site a few weeks ago and I see more bashing than I do helpful insights! And it seems to be the same few that do it. I am soooo turned off! I always thought of Realtors as ethical people...guess I was wrong.
- Jennifer Dodge, "Destin.Fl.Realtor"
- Contributions:242
doodle, thanks for thinking we were ethical in the first place, even if you don't think so anymore.
- hpvanc
- Contributions:2550
I am not an agent or a salesman of any form. So here is my opinion.
Some agents are ethical. Most of the agents that have contributed to these discussion forums for a long periods of time are ethical at least in these forums. Unfortunately there are many others that come here briefly, and a few that have stayed for long periods of time, that either have no idea what ethics are or have few to none.
That said, why would ethical agents be afraid of the transparency that comes from discussing issues and opinions in an open forum. No on is right all of the time, and it serves a disservice to allow the errors and lies to perpetuate. There has to be discussion of opinion to drive a profession to improvement, are the "we speak as a single voice" agents opposed to improving their profession?
Some agents are ethical. Most of the agents that have contributed to these discussion forums for a long periods of time are ethical at least in these forums. Unfortunately there are many others that come here briefly, and a few that have stayed for long periods of time, that either have no idea what ethics are or have few to none.
That said, why would ethical agents be afraid of the transparency that comes from discussing issues and opinions in an open forum. No on is right all of the time, and it serves a disservice to allow the errors and lies to perpetuate. There has to be discussion of opinion to drive a profession to improvement, are the "we speak as a single voice" agents opposed to improving their profession?
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25115
There are so many agents on Zillow that I respect. They are knowledgeable, ethical and I would hire them or refer them without hesitation. Good agents do what they can to convey their expertise and useful information to people who post. Less good ones tell you to call them, post acres of spam or give information that is plain not correct.
Lately, those voices seem to have been drowning out the other agents who are helpful and who do what they can to answer questions. I have always gotten good advice from agents and lenders on Zillow when I have a question and I truly appreciate it. I so want people to find that same useful information on Zillow. Zillow is a great site with lots of nice people. I sincerely hope that you can look past my personal frustration for the last few days and find what you are looking for on the forum. There are lots of smart people on Zillow with helpful information to share.
Lately, those voices seem to have been drowning out the other agents who are helpful and who do what they can to answer questions. I have always gotten good advice from agents and lenders on Zillow when I have a question and I truly appreciate it. I so want people to find that same useful information on Zillow. Zillow is a great site with lots of nice people. I sincerely hope that you can look past my personal frustration for the last few days and find what you are looking for on the forum. There are lots of smart people on Zillow with helpful information to share.
Respect amongst Agents on public sites
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