Business Marketing
Top 10 Reasons Consumers Hate Real Estate Agents
Drumroll, please…
10. Facebook listings from agents who don’t know how to type, spell or understand Facebook
9. Teams are dumb and people know it
8. Almost everyone has a license, so you are not anyone special in their eyes
7. You still advertise in a newspaper that no one reads
6. You try to make them sign a buyer broker agreement when they walk into your open house
5. Dual agency.
4. You write agreements when the possibility of the client getting a mortgage is zero
3. Overpriced listings
2. See number 8 again.
1. And the top reason consumers hate real estate agents…….Bad hairdos from the 70’s on business cards
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Carrie Isaac
January 24, 2010 at 10:06 pm
LOL – number one is so true! Too bad more agents don’t get it.
Our slogan is “Real estate has changed. Most agents haven’t even changed their haircut.” It’s funny to give a business card to an agent that *hasn’t* changed their haircut since 1970 and watch them try to figure out what on earth you’re talking about.
Marissa Myers
January 25, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Objections are like quarters on the sidewalk. Every objection is good because it’s information that can help you. For instance, Carrie Isaac’s comment demonstrates how she used an objection to write her slogan: “Real estate has changed. Most agents haven’t even changed their haircut.” When I write strategic website copy (or a proposal), I really tune in to objections/problems. They help me develop a persuasive business message that describes a problem and explains the solution. I just wish hearing objections actually felt like finding quarters!
Ken Montville
January 24, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Right on, as usual. Nothing more to say about it.
Patrick Flynn
January 24, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Absolutely spot on…sadly!
Deb Tabor
January 25, 2010 at 4:01 am
Spelling and grammatical errors in listings or blogs make me insane. It’s the online equivalent of going to a listing appointment with spinach in your teeth, people. You’d check the mirror, right? So spell/grammar check your post! It’s not rocket surgery.
Mike
January 25, 2010 at 6:50 am
“Police Officers are all corrupt, violent, racial profiling egomaniacs!”
The same people that put all Real Estate Professionals in one, negative basket, are the same people that would be extremely offended if some one did it too their chosen profession. The difference is, that it IS too easy to become, and remain in RE. Anyone can be “In Real Estate”, it takes effort, knowledge and honor, to be a good one. Choose your Agent carefully, there are many very good one.
Terry McDonald
January 25, 2010 at 7:04 am
too funny… the spell check miracle. Early in my career I tried to explain dual agency to an attorney and he cracked up. He said,I can defend a defendant and prosecute them fairly too haha just like in the Soviet Union.
Sue Davis
January 25, 2010 at 7:55 am
Personally, I like the agents who do drive by shootings of their listings. You know them — the blurry photo taken out their car window with the side mirror in the frame. Very professional. And this is why people think we’re overpaid for what we do!
John Kalinowski
January 25, 2010 at 10:16 am
Most is true, but not the comment on teams. If built properly, it’s the only way to build a real estate business that can professionally handle more than a handful of clients. If you want to make serious money, and do the best possible job for your clients, a properly managed team is the best way to go. Just ask Russell Shaw 🙂
Fred Glick
January 25, 2010 at 10:26 am
@John. What I was saying about teams is that the public does not really care what team you are on.
You are selling your self, your competence and relying sometimes on a brand name to get you in the door, but if the people don’t feel comfortable with YOU, then they are off to someone else.
Matt Thomson
January 25, 2010 at 11:39 am
I get the humor here, so I’m not trying to be a total killjoy, but I think you’ve maybe missed the #1 reason. Every real estate agent seems to think it’s all of the other real estate agents who fit into your top 10.
I know how to use social media, those other agents don’t. I never make mistakes in my marketing remarks like other agents. My photo is current, his is from his high school days.
Overall, I don’t think consumers DO hate agents, and if they do it’s because of US. Like John said, teams can be useful (like Fred said, people care abou YOU). Dual agency can be very hard, but it can also benefit both parties (if you’re a parent of more than one child, can you settle a dispute fairly or do you take one and your spouse takes the other?).
Like I said, I do get the humor and I’m not trying to squash it totally, but I really do think it’s time for agents–me included–to focus on what our industry does well and not point fingers at others who do things we’d never do.
Andy H
November 4, 2013 at 4:48 pm
The grammar in your post was atrocious, and your defense of dual agency is laughable. It is impossible to be an effective and fair advocate for both sides simultaneously. You only help to confirm the stereotypes about agents.
Fred Glick
January 25, 2010 at 11:51 am
@Matt. Thanks for seeing the positive signs but until NAR and the state governments see the idiocracy of the current licensing system and the promulgation of many brokerage companies to continue doing what they have been doing for years, the industry will never be respected.
As individuals, we can do our best and make sure the public realizes who the good guys are and only use them. That will eliminate the goofballs!
Dennis C Smith
February 27, 2010 at 1:33 pm
If they go after dual agency then I hope they go after broker owned mortgage companies and settlement agents. Here in SoCal almost every major real estate company owns an escrow company as well and either owns a mortgage broker or has hand in glove relationship.
Atlanta Real Estate
January 25, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Sweet do on that kid!
Bob Stahl
January 25, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Funny. I don’t think all consumers hate all real estate agents, though. . . But your point is well taken. I think service professionals, in every industry, need to be in tune with what they’re consumers want and need — and then meet those consumers where they are, not try to get them to meet us back in the 70s, or wherever. It’s always all about the client.
Russell Shaw
January 25, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Real estate teams are not important to the public- they never have been. Any more than a doctor’s big staff would be important to the doctor’s patients. I don’t know that all teams are dumb but what most real estate people have put together aren’t “teams” at all – but simply people working in the same building. And the way those “teams” get promoted to the public most certainly is dumb.
ines
January 25, 2010 at 1:21 pm
same reasons I hate real estate agents 🙂 – and we can add a couple more:
EGOS
LACK OF RESPECT FOR OTHERS’ TIME
LACK OF LISTENING SKILLS
POWER COMPLEXES
LACK OF EDUCATION
oh wait….I’m a real estate agent
Chuck Rifae
January 25, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Hey you forgot that they all drive a Mercedes Benz and claim to be poor oh.. ah.. forget that last one I drive a Benz but I am really poor;)!
Ruthmarie Hicks
January 25, 2010 at 1:31 pm
That’s hilarious! Love the hair style issue. I see that a lot. There is one woman who has been on every shopping cart with a picture of her from the 70s or early 80s with a super girl costume no less. I don’t use photos of myself on my cards. I know its controversial, but the photos out there are so strange that I’m afraid if someone saw my 45 year old mug on a card they would figure that in reality I’ve got to be in my 80s.
Constantine Isslamow
January 25, 2010 at 1:59 pm
I love the hair from the 70’s. Sad thing is that it’s so true.
take care
Constantine
Jeff Gingerich
January 25, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Great post. Spelling is my pet peeve…proofread people!
Brandie Young
January 25, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Interesting list. Is it really that agents are hated? Or is it undervalued? What would cause someone to think “they’re not worth the $?” IMHO it’s actions and if they portray themselves in a manner which is consistent with the money they will earn from me.
By comparison, I wouldn’t judge an attorney poorly if they were part of a team, had (what I consider to be) ugly hair or advertised in a paper. I don’t care about their use of Facebook. I’d look to see how he/she presented themselves as a professional service provider (with a hefty price tag).
But, that’s just me. I’m not an agent.
Dianne
January 25, 2010 at 6:17 pm
for someone just getting into the profession, I can understand some of these. My personal experience with RE agents has been pretty good though. when was this survey and where did this list come from?
todd
January 25, 2010 at 11:10 pm
yup… we are just above the garbage man
ross therrien
January 31, 2010 at 10:55 am
You forgot the glamour shots some got years ago then when you meet them in person -aHHHHHHHHH!.. At least we can poke humor at ourselves. It’s the $700 Jimmy Choos worn to show properties in a snow storm.
Brad Officer - Jacksonville Real Estate
January 31, 2010 at 10:53 pm
Thinking of getting a retro photo for my biz card.
karenweger
February 1, 2010 at 10:25 pm
They all love me………on these occasions………..
I have a supra key to get in the homes. I have access to MLS to get all information. I know all about the area and information. I have a free map. But most of all I have the power to give them heads up when a new listing hits the market. I can do all. They have their day to day jobs that are full time, serving me in another area, dentist hygenist, nurse, delivery, auto repair, etc… I work all day to find them a home, keep informed of local real estate market, financing options, laws and contracts, inspections, disclosures and more.
They do love me as a realtor.
Morgan Hill Homes, Will Klopp
February 7, 2010 at 12:40 am
Light-hearted and funny. I believe consumers that “hate” real estate agents are probably dealing with agents that are inexperienced, uninformed and lack professionalism. That is also most likely why 10% of the agents do 90% of the business. The drumroll at the end should highlight that fact and that hopefully now that things are tough a large number of the “hated” are departing the industry for the aforementioned reasons.
Rogue Agent
February 21, 2010 at 12:01 pm
This was better list that esplained why folks no like ajents! great post! i’m an ajent two!
Dennis C Smith
February 27, 2010 at 1:37 pm
What is worse the ’70s styling hairdo or the pet? I see the business card with the little pooch or cat, or the big boxer, and I think, “will that animal be coming on her/his appointment?” What does a chihauhua (did I spell that right?) have to do with listing my home or helping me put my life savings and family future into a home you recommend? Go to the stylist and dump the pet before hitting the photo studio!
Michael Sosnowski
March 8, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Even though we have a team ourselves, I had using the word team. It would be interesting to see what kind of alternatives your readers could come up with – something a little different. Not just “associates” or “group”. I have been struggling with this and don’t really have any good ideas!
Kate
March 20, 2010 at 6:14 pm
One of the biggest pet peeves I have about agents is poor listening skills. So many are just unbelievably chaotic and scattered in their go, go, go mentlaity that they can’t connect. They seem intent on just shoving clients into a house and collecting their commission.
I have also noticed that many are poorly educated and incompetent. It’s like, they failed at everything else in life and then decided to become an agent as a last resort.
KMN
March 30, 2010 at 3:05 pm
What I want to see is the top ten list of why Realtors hate buyers and sellers.
Nicole
June 27, 2010 at 2:17 pm
I hate real estate agents because I have come across some that are the most unprofessional people I have ever meet. What other profession is it okay to make appointments and pull no call, no show without even blinking an eye. I don’t really get how hard it is to spend 10 seconds to cancel a showing. My cat could do that. There time is no more valuable then mine. Its crazy for an agent who isn’t mine to pull that but even crazier for my agent who works for us and has commented how unprofessional the no call, no show is to then do it to me. His excuse when confronted was ” I had an appointment to be at.” Really during the time you were scheduled to show my house to your client? So when did you know that you weren’t going to make it. And why is your time and work more important then mine. UGH!
Also-
-Don’t leave my door wide open when you leave and no one is home. People actually like to steal Apple computers and flat screens.
-Can you turn off a light or two. I thought you supposed to try to turn off as many as you can. But you can’t even get the one by the front door. Really?
-If you let my cat out of the garage outside can you leave a note or something. So that I don’t have to find my indoor cat walk around outside.
-Show a an obviously modern house to someone who obviously wants a traditional house. -Don’t know if you read the description were they mention modern or looked at the 18 pictures online or the 2 page color handout in the box outside but this is modern.
-Come to the showing 40 minutes after it was supposed to end and just walk up in the house with the lock box key. How about calling to say you will be late and if its okay to show it. Too hard? How about knocking on the door before you walk in.
– Calling 40 minutes before you want to show the house is so crazy.
-Give us feedback. If you show my house I would like for you to take 30 seconds to let my agent in an email or phone call what they like didn’t like. It might not mean much to you but it helps me not feel so bad for being up till 3 am cleaning walls if I get feedback. Good or bad.
The list goes on. And I am sure there are some good ones out there but I have yet to meet one.
Greg Lyles
November 19, 2010 at 9:47 am
Oh, how the truth hurts!
I recently posted a blog on one of the real estate networks about the limited viability of open houses insofar as the benefit sellers derive from them. Instead of sticking to the premise of the article, agents from all corners of the nation started sharing their personal stories about every open house they’d ever done. In doing so, they diluted the value of the article for potential sellers.
David
July 5, 2011 at 4:01 pm
I'm not sure about all 50 states, since the vast amount of regulation is left up to the states. But duel agency is definitely not legal in many states in most cases dealing with the majority of properties.