I often read from other posters of their disdain for realtors. I was surprised to see that feeling initially as the local realtors I deal with have always been professional and good to deal with.
A week or so ago, I had a call from a realtor several counties over about a survey I had conducted (in 2004) one county over.
I have to say, if some of you guys complaining about realtors are dealing with people like this lady, I understand your complaints. If it weren't for the fact that I have a mother and three sisters, I might would refer to this realtor using a very rude word.
I now know to NOT even think about taking a survey request from her again. Money isn't a huge motivator for me, so there is no need in putting up with her rude attitude again.
Realtors are only one step ahead of lawyers on the scum of the earth food chain...
I've had dealing with the good and bad. My latest was mixed. She asked how much to set the corners of her clients property, I could hear her jaw drop when I gave her the estimate. She said she would let me know within the week. Got that call back ans she said to go ahead. She ended up being happy with the results. Maybe some future jobs? Not going to hold my breath.
1 or 2 per hundred are okay, the rest are just there to make a buck. I love the ones that are making tens of thousands of $ on a closing and tell me the survey should be $400. One of my old business partners worked for a Savings and Loan Co. (remember those?) in the 1970's. He had to write a $70,000 check for a commission to a realtor for selling a commercial parcel. The guy had never even seen the property and was playing golf when the deal occurred. His name was next on the list so he got the commission... Never forgot that story!
Remind me again, why have we been in surveying when realtors were making that kind of money (while playing games at that!!)? :'(
It has been my observation that Realtors often come in contact with obscure and disillusioned ideas after meeting together at one of their seminars and someone inserts some false statement into the mix.
Then they will all start to believe the lie and bring it home with them. I live near an entire town of folks that tell you what they are going to give you do do things.
Some Realtors are salesmen first and last and not much between the lines. They do not care if your business is there tomorrow or not.
The trend I have seen lately is that they make their contracts to where they get the extra money after all fees and commissions and the client's asking price.
If they avoid spending on surveys, housekeeping, landscaping or whatever then it goes into their pocket.
If a client is only happy with the price, then they do not understand what service I provide.
A true businessman will want to come back and do business with you again when they are happy with the service.
0.02
Once again I feel compelled to remind you all that Realtors@ are a membership group, not the same as every real estate salesperson and broker. The following is from the National Association of Realtors website:
"A real estate agent is a REALTOR® when he or she becomes a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, The Voice for Real Estate®, the world's largest professional association. The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and abides by its strict Code of Ethics.
Founded in 1908, NAR has grown from its original nucleus of 120 members to more than 1 million today. NAR is composed of REALTORS® who are involved in residential and commercial real estate as brokers, salespeople, property managers, appraisers, counselors, and others who are engaged in all aspects of the real estate industry."
Brokers and salespeople are the terms that most accurately describe the people to whom you are normally referring when you say "realtor". The brokers own and manage the real estate companies with the salespeople working under them for the company. I am also licensed as a real estate salesperson, but, I am not a member of NAR, so, I am not a Realtor@.
Please call those scurvy dogs you encounter either real estate brokers or real estate salespeople.
