I met with a client yesterday. Everyone I have been dealing with on the seller side has been on the phone up until now. It didn't go great. She was crying half of the time, as she doesn't want to sell her property but has to.. it broke my heart. I am very caring, and vicarious. I almost started to cry myself. Okay, I had to excuse myself to blow my nose. Beyond the major financial risk I am taking to be a realtor, I didn't realize the emotional side as much until now. It amazes me at my age, the things I am still learning about people. The cycle of life is made up of deceiving moments of contentment.
I tip my hat to those who have been in this business for a long time.
Replies
46SoWal Insider
Do you mean "back in the day" as in the recent bubble-era....or do you mean "back in the day" a long time ago.
Personally, I had an excellent Realtor a long, long time ago--before computers and faxes and overnight shipping. THOSE were the days of the "Real" Realtors. Sending us tons of information in the snail mail (newspapers, info on schools, tourist brochures, and information on available homes); driving us from home-to-home so we could take Polaroid photos; always cheerful, always smiling, high-heeling around in the heat and humidity; buying us lunch and ice tea during breaks while looking at house after house. That lady was a saint--listening to our needs, not trying to cram her listings down our throats or shoehorn us into a home that would break our bank account. She deserved every, single penny of her commission--and more!
She could run rings around the bubble-era realtors who, without even getting out of their pajamas, point-and-clicked their way to their 6% commissions.
Realtors are going to have a hard time shaking their tarnished image. During the frenzy many, many Realtors sold their clients on some pretty tall tales about "never-ending double-digit appreciation," "investment," "running out of land," "baby boomers," and "getting in before it is too late," now it is hitting home about how wrong they were (the bad ones told out-and-out lies--while others were just totally clueless about the economy and the RE market).
The current crop of buyers are not going to be as gullible as the previous bunch--telling them that silly, worn-out catch phrase, "Now is the best time to buy," isn't gonna cut it.
.
Yes, many of the Realtors are just as you described above but I have to say that I dont think that I am one of the ones. I hope not...
No, I did not have to use snail mail but I did work my @ss off 7 days a week all hours of the day during the "boom". The best piece of advice that I was given was by my sweet sister
, "Listen to the client, let them do the talking, they will tell you what they want, don't tell them what you think they should have"
I try to follow that advice but I have heard many many other agents never let a potential buyer talk to them about what they want. I mean, who is doing the buying anyway???Today a client called and when I answered his question he said, "Well not what I want to hear but you are honest about it." Unfortunately there are/were many Realtors that would try to sell anyone anything. That is what gives those of us who care, a bad name.
Sea Sothebys, chin up, things will eventually get better....

And Shelly as always I appreciate your comments.
BobbyJ a counselor is right on the money. I wonder, do they teach new agents on how to deal with counseling in their classes???

Beach Lover
One must be accountable for the choices we make. We have 2 houses we cannot sell and cannot afford. But we signed on the dotted line not the realtor. My experience with the realtors in Sowal has been excellent. It is difficult to select an agent, because there are so many good, decent, honest, and caring agents.
Since I started e-mailing Bobby J I do not need to pay a therapist anymore. Sorry, Bobby but thanks for listening! He has been very kind. I bet they do get tired of people crying. Vickie Dollar has been wonderful to us too. They are all working very hard right now. Hope the market improves for everyone!!!
Since I started e-mailing Bobby J I do not need to pay a therapist anymore. Sorry, Bobby but thanks for listening! He has been very kind. I bet they do get tired of people crying. Vickie Dollar has been wonderful to us too. They are all working very hard right now. Hope the market improves for everyone!!!
SoWal Insider
One must be accountable for the choices we make. We have 2 houses we cannot sell and cannot afford. But we signed on the dotted line not the realtor. My experience with the realtors in Sowal has been excellent. It is difficult to select an agent, because there are so many good, decent, honest, and caring agents.
Since I started e-mailing Bobby J I do not need to pay a therapist anymore. Sorry, Bobby but thanks for listening! He has been very kind. I bet they do get tired of people crying. Vickie Dollar has been wonderful to us too. They are all working very hard right now. Hope the market improves for everyone!!!
best of luck to you.

Beach Lover
Thank you! Your sister was one of those great realtors who always took time to chat with me. Will always remember that beautiful smile.
SoWal Insider
Thank you! Your sister was one of those great realtors who always took time to chat with me. Will always remember that beautiful smile.
no, thank you....SoWal Expert
IBD, they still don't teach counseling in in Real Estate School for Prelicensing for Sales Associates or Brokers. No matter what job I've had, maybe with the exceptions of harvesting grapes for a winery and capturing and tagging geese, I've always been a counselor and when I had employees, I could add "baby-sitter" to that list of duties. Paraphrasing numerous books, Management is about crunching numbers. Leadership is about understanding people, and that includes taking the time to listen.
SoWal Expert
I think one of the good things to come out of the current market (along with a much needed dose of reality) is that it is going to winnow out the bad realtors.
Beach Fanatic
I think one of the good things to come out of the current market (along with a much needed dose of reality) is that it is going to winnow out the bad realtors.
Unfortunately, not always true. The thing that generally narrows the field is lack of sales. Bad realtors can often survive in tough times.
Kind of like cock roaches.
PS: Good realtors are great people that serve their customers and the general public very well, and are the largest percentage of the people in the business. Unfortunately, a relatively few give the rest of an honest, hard working crew a bad name.
SoWal Expert
The good realtors I know have been in the area a long time, provide service, and work for their commissions. I'm hoping that the increased competition will reward their efforts now that folks have more of a choice and it's less of a frenzy. Hopefully the same will also happen with builders, architects, etc.
I've been looking for property in the area for years and it is amazing to see the difference between the 2 groups and their respective levels of service. I know I certainly remember that sort of thing and vote with my business, big mouth, and pocketbook whenever possible!
I've been looking for property in the area for years and it is amazing to see the difference between the 2 groups and their respective levels of service. I know I certainly remember that sort of thing and vote with my business, big mouth, and pocketbook whenever possible!
Beach Fanatic
Do you mean "back in the day" as in the recent bubble-era....or do you mean "back in the day" a long time ago.
.
I really meant a long time ago, but I guess that "back in the day" could mean the recent bubble-era as well...
SoWal Expert
I think one of the good things to come out of the current market (along with a much needed dose of reality) is that it is going to winnow out the bad realtors.
Unfortunately for many good Realtors, the lack of sales will push many good Realtors out of the market, too. "Bad" real estate agents could remain in the market if they made enough cash to hold on.
Beach Fanatic
Do you mean "back in the day" as in the recent bubble-era....or do you mean "back in the day" a long time ago.
Personally, I had an excellent Realtor a long, long time ago--before computers and faxes and overnight shipping. THOSE were the days of the "Real" Realtors. Sending us tons of information in the snail mail (newspapers, info on schools, tourist brochures, and information on available homes); driving us from home-to-home so we could take Polaroid photos; always cheerful, always smiling, high-heeling around in the heat and humidity; buying us lunch and ice tea during breaks while looking at house after house. That lady was a saint--listening to our needs, not trying to cram her listings down our throats or shoehorn us into a home that would break our bank account. She deserved every, single penny of her commission--and more!
She could run rings around the bubble-era realtors who, without even getting out of their pajamas, point-and-clicked their way to their 6% commissions.
Realtors are going to have a hard time shaking their tarnished image. During the frenzy many, many Realtors sold their clients on some pretty tall tales about "never-ending double-digit appreciation," "investment," "running out of land," "baby boomers," and "getting in before it is too late," now it is hitting home about how wrong they were (the bad ones told out-and-out lies--while others were just totally clueless about the economy and the RE market).
The current crop of buyers are not as gullible as the previous bunch--parroting that silly, worn-out catch phrase, "Now is the best time to buy," isn't gonna cut it.
.
Shelly, I think you are coming down too hard on realtors. Also the " good ole days" realtor argument is offsides. Everything was better back then right
Realtors are salesman. That is what they do. I think most people should be aware of this fact and temper what they say. People need to be responsible for their decisions and not always blame someone. Nobody forces someone to buy a house or land. If the ONLY reason people are stuck in bad investments now is from bad or misleading realtor advice, then frankly they deserve it.
SoWal Expert
Someone can give good customer service and be an effective saleperson w/o being deliberately dishonest or screwing someone over.
You can't blame a realtor for your decision to buy, your lack of desired profit, or you spending more than you can afford, but you can blame some for deliberately misleading you, untruths, omissions, and fudging the details to make a sale. :roll:
Luckily my cautious and inquisitive nature, BS meter, and a good realtor looking out for me taught me some valuable (and luckily free) lessons. There are some snake oil sellers out there. :angry:
You can't blame a realtor for your decision to buy, your lack of desired profit, or you spending more than you can afford, but you can blame some for deliberately misleading you, untruths, omissions, and fudging the details to make a sale. :roll:
Luckily my cautious and inquisitive nature, BS meter, and a good realtor looking out for me taught me some valuable (and luckily free) lessons. There are some snake oil sellers out there. :angry:
Beach LoverAuthor
Concerning Shelly's comment, I do think having so much information at our fingertips makes it much easier to facilitate information; howeve- it takes a lot more work to stand out from the crowd. So many people are overwhelmed, and in order to an impression- you have to make a personal connection. Making a personal connection with someone who only emails you and never calls... well, I think we all know how difficult that is. Look at how many posts are taken out of context because we lack a personal connection.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
Shelly,
When I read your post I want to give you a big hug.
I surely hope I am not one of those agents you are so pissed with. I am trying to feed my family, surf a little, and create a life. If I misguided anyone in the market at least I can say I drank the Kool-aid too!
You seem to have some Real Estate knowledge and I was wondering how you would sell property for a client if you were an agent?
The majority of all good agents are advising folks to not buy if they plan on trying to flip. We are all shocked with the market right now. But, if you want to hold it and enjoy for years to come we feel this area will offer a solid return.
Shake are "tarnished image"? Agents have always have tarnished images. Did you not use to watch Mork and Mindy?
When I read your post I want to give you a big hug.

I surely hope I am not one of those agents you are so pissed with. I am trying to feed my family, surf a little, and create a life. If I misguided anyone in the market at least I can say I drank the Kool-aid too!
You seem to have some Real Estate knowledge and I was wondering how you would sell property for a client if you were an agent?
The majority of all good agents are advising folks to not buy if they plan on trying to flip. We are all shocked with the market right now. But, if you want to hold it and enjoy for years to come we feel this area will offer a solid return.
Shake are "tarnished image"? Agents have always have tarnished images. Did you not use to watch Mork and Mindy?
SoWal Insider
Shelly,
You seem to have some Real Estate knowledge and I was wondering how you would sell property for a client if you were an agent?
Admittedly, I would make a lousy RE Agent. I am passionate about ensuring folks get their money's worth; have a tendency to fault on the side of lower-risk; am passionate about ensuring folks have a well-capitalized retirement plan in place; and want my clients to be able to feel they can totally rely on my knowledge and trustworthiness when signing on the dotted line.
With that in mind, I would have failed miserably during the RE frenzy as I believe that 50-75% of people who "invested" in RE during that time should have been strongly advised against entering the market.
There are some very trustworthy RE Agents out there--if they continue doing right by their clients, they will do just fine.
.
Beach Fanatic
Shelly - Are you client number eight or ten?
Thanks,
Eliot
E. Spitzer
1 State Street
Albany, NY 13290
Thanks,
Eliot
E. Spitzer
1 State Street
Albany, NY 13290
SoWal Insider
Shelly - Are you client number eight or ten?
Thanks,
Eliot
E. Spitzer
1 State Street
Albany, NY 13290
Eliot, you moron.
Don't you know we're still monitoring your phone and computer?
You just don't know when to stop--it's no wonder we were able to expose your clueless cheating arse.
See ya in court, sucker!
THE? FBI

.
Beach Fanatic
Shell, like your friend Kenneth Langone said today, I got people too. ok, I thought you were in "_eep _la_k" - I wouldn't wish that job/life on anyone.
Skunky

SoWal Insider
ok, I thought you were in "_eep _la_k"
.
Pat,....I'd like to buy another vowel--"I?"
.
Edited
Checking your forum account
Please wait while we verify your forum account.