Are Realtors or Sellers To Blame For Bad Service?

A few days ago I posted this article about the couple out of Carlsbad, CA that is suing their real estate agent for allegedly misleading them into paying more for their home than they believe they should have. Today, the Barry's over at Real Estate Radio USA ponder whether or not the real estate industry is already doomed and critically wounded due to consistent poor public image (Ranking last in "Prestigious Occupations Poll") and the 24/7 availability of real estate listing information.

But doesn't some of the responsibility lie with the consumer in choosing their respected Realtor? Aren't they interviewing them and asking them the pertinent questions like how much business they do yearly? What is their marketing strategy? Do they have a team or a full time staff? People don't ask these questions and most clients don't get the service they would get if they worked with a true professional. So instead of admitting they made a poor decision they sue or complain about how all Realtors are terrible. I posted this comment to them and I'm hoping I get a response.

I would also like to hear what you think about where the responsibility lies with the consumer and how they go about choosing their real estate professional. It’s unfortunate Realtors have such a bad wrap and I will not argue that there are MANY Realtors that deserve it. But isn’t the consumer the one who chooses the Realtor they want to work with? Just as the Barry’s choose their Realtors, consumers have the same choice and MOST get it wrong. They don’t work with the most business savvy or the one with the best sales record. They choose to work with their “cousin who sells real estate part time” or they use their “friend" who sells 2 homes a year. Shouldn’t the consumer take some of the blame for not doing their due diligence? I mean this lady allowed her agent to process her loan? I can give you hundreds of examples of people who list with agents that don’t even have email addresses much less know how to advertise a home on the internet using multiple pictures or a virtual tour. I would love to see someone confront those sellers and ask them why they chose the agent they did while bypassing the successful tech savvy one.

I have been passed up by potential clients for a myriad of reasons and in the same breath admit I am the more professional choice but yet, "I thought I would give my neighbor a try since she lives so close", or "This Realtor's office is closer to where I live than your office". Shouldn't they be saying, "The other Realtor has sold $10 million worth of real estate more than you in the last 12 months" or "The other Realtor has a better marketing strategy and a full time staff"? And how do I tell someone they're making the wrong decision without sounding like sour grapes? Help! Someone please enlighten me.

Generation "U"

You might have seen this article yesterday but there is a couple out of San Diego, CA suing their real estate agent because they feel they were misled and paid too much for their house. They got a couple flyers for 2 homes that sold just down the street from them for more than $100K less than what they paid for their home. So now they're suing.

Please note their Realtor was also their mortgage broker. Hello? Anyone NOT see a problem with that arrangement? I'm not saying he did anything wrong but if anyone's in a position to make sure an appraisal comes in higher than it needs to, it's your mortgage broker. Also, California is taking a huge hit and it's not uncommon for many people that bought a year ago to have negative equity.

I want to know whatever happened to "buyer beware" and doing your own due diligence in looking closely at the sales statistics? Surely they asked their Realtor to show them a CMA of the neighborhood. They should also still have a copy of it. If they can prove he left out lower sales then that should be pretty telling. If they blindly signed a contract without doing any of this then that's their own fault and now they are just bitter.

It started with someone suing McDonald's for having hot coffee and for being fat and now this? Generations X & Y are classified using age but I think the whole world is in Generation U. The unaccountable generation. We no longer take responsibility for our own actions or mistakes. No longer does the home owner have to claim a short sale loss on his or her income. Free get out of jail cards are given to stupid people across the nation so I guess we shouldn't be surprised.

And then there's this which is yet another example of how Generation U will go down in history and the stupidest and laziest generation, ever.