Five Hard Truths Every Seller Needs to Hear

Pay close attention to #1, #2 and #4. Thanks to Barry Cunningham of Real Estate Radio USA for telling it like it is.

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.

Bitter About Real Estate

My friend Lydia Player over at North Dallas Homes Blog sent me a link yesterday to a blog post on Real Estate Radio USA saying the National Association of Realtors (NAR) is virtually expecting 2008 not to bring any relief to the real estate woes of California, Florida, Vegas and all of the other hard hit cities across the country. (But not Dallas!) The blog authors are also real estate investors with a take no prisoners attitude that want to get the best deals possible. You get the idea from this excerpt.

If your client does not NEED to sell, take the house off the market. It will NEVER sell because the Seller does not and will not understand that his property value is about to s#&t the bed. If he is just seeing what he can get he is wasting the agent’s time and the prospective buyer’s time. Cancel the listing and tell him to batten down the hatches. He should be safe, we’re looking for roadkill!

This blog post caught the attention of NAR's attorneys but it doesn't look like these guys are backing down. I get it. They want to make sellers hurt when they buy their properties 30% below market value. But what is their issue with Realtors?

Using professional and real estate in the same sentence, as I just did, is an oxymoron. A true professional would be able to provide sincere credible advice on their product and most real estate agents simply can not.

They sound like scorned and bitter ex-husbands. Now I won't argue that some of it isn't warranted. There are many real estate agents that do not conduct their business professionally but I don't want to go there right now. (Another blog post maybe?) But there are quite a few Realtors in my market area that should take issue with the statement above. Feel free to leave comments on their website...and on mine.