Jon,
Given that most transactions in resi real estate are done by Mr and Mrs. Joe Average, and only done maybe once or twice in their lives, it would be fair to say that most of these people would have little or no knowledge about how to conduct a real estate transaction.
Based on this, I find it hard to see how Jon thinks that so many buyers/sellers are the root cause of all the dodgy agents' behavior and games.
Most of these people would be totally unaware of what goes on in the industry, and are simply trying to buy a house for as little as possible, or maybe what they can afford, while the Vendors are generally trying to get the best price possible for their property.
These inexperienced buyers, who make up much of the resi activity, are relying on the r/e agent to act in their capacity - as professional representatives in the industry of real estate transactions. They expect r/e agents to act professionally and to offer a professional service - to both buyers and Vendors. After all; even though you act for the Vendor, you deal with both parties and ultimately you are relying on buyers to pay your commission.
They are not expecting to be lied to and have tricks played on them, and when it occurs, they are shocked, distressed and angry.
Naturally, they will spread the bad news very quickly, hence the reputation of r/e agents is quickly downgraded to just above scum.
I agree that this may be a minority of agents, but unfortunately for your industry Jon, your association has been very consistent in doing little to nothing for a very long time about getting rid of these rotten apples and cleaning up the industry.
The industry and its players have made their own bed and must now lie in it.
You don't like us talking bad about your industry and colleagues, but it's your chosen profession and all that it encompasses.
I think you'll find most here are simply discussing past experiences. This is to be expected; we are more experienced and are more likely to have been the victim of some dodgy practices. Naturally, we are going to try and make the inexperienced aware of the possible scenarios - good or bad.
You might argue; "well, why not discuss the good experiences and not the bad?".
These aren't discussed as often because the good experience is what is expected.
Given that most transactions in resi real estate are done by Mr and Mrs. Joe Average, and only done maybe once or twice in their lives, it would be fair to say that most of these people would have little or no knowledge about how to conduct a real estate transaction.
Based on this, I find it hard to see how Jon thinks that so many buyers/sellers are the root cause of all the dodgy agents' behavior and games.
Most of these people would be totally unaware of what goes on in the industry, and are simply trying to buy a house for as little as possible, or maybe what they can afford, while the Vendors are generally trying to get the best price possible for their property.
These inexperienced buyers, who make up much of the resi activity, are relying on the r/e agent to act in their capacity - as professional representatives in the industry of real estate transactions. They expect r/e agents to act professionally and to offer a professional service - to both buyers and Vendors. After all; even though you act for the Vendor, you deal with both parties and ultimately you are relying on buyers to pay your commission.
They are not expecting to be lied to and have tricks played on them, and when it occurs, they are shocked, distressed and angry.
Naturally, they will spread the bad news very quickly, hence the reputation of r/e agents is quickly downgraded to just above scum.
I agree that this may be a minority of agents, but unfortunately for your industry Jon, your association has been very consistent in doing little to nothing for a very long time about getting rid of these rotten apples and cleaning up the industry.
The industry and its players have made their own bed and must now lie in it.
You don't like us talking bad about your industry and colleagues, but it's your chosen profession and all that it encompasses.
I think you'll find most here are simply discussing past experiences. This is to be expected; we are more experienced and are more likely to have been the victim of some dodgy practices. Naturally, we are going to try and make the inexperienced aware of the possible scenarios - good or bad.
You might argue; "well, why not discuss the good experiences and not the bad?".
These aren't discussed as often because the good experience is what is expected.