Honestly?

Published 26 June 08 04:43 PM | mrzabka
A post I read today written by Teresa Boardman really got to me. Not the post itself, but the subject matter of the post – the point she was making. She was talking about trust – how real estate agents are painted in a negative light and are seen as difficult to trust. Indeed, we see this in many places like polls and articles and the like, the assumption that agents cannot be trusted because of how they are perceived.
 
I am not an agent. I have never been mistrusted or trusted as an agent. My field is real estate technology, so I know a lot about blogging and the media and the way the media works, and, unfortunately, the media seems to work against real estate professionals.
 
In a recent blog post by Marc Grossman, this point was brought into full focus as he showed us how agents are now highly recognized liars, apparently – at least by certain media outlets and polls – and Marc did a great job of defending this notion. Still, for whatever reason, real estate agents are playing against a stacked deck. And it is entirely undeserved.
 
Maybe I am preaching to the choir here, but this has been bugging me. I have had the opportunity to meet many agents, both face-to-face and online, and not one has struck me as dishonest, underhanded, sneaky, shady, roundabout, deceitful, corrupt, crooked, untrustworthy, or lying. The opposite is quite true: they have all been extremely affable, forthright, honorable, aboveboard, candid and trustworthy. Have I ever pursued a business relationship with any of them, in need of a home or property? No. Not yet, at least. But I really doubt these people, who are otherwise outgoing and pleasant easy to like, would suddenly turn into calculated crooks as soon as a business opportunity comes up. I am not naïve in saying this; rather, I am simply basing this on the notion that you can tell a lot about a person's true character when meeting them in casual environments like conferences or luncheons or social networks.
 
I'm not saying dishonest agents don't exist, because I think dishonesty unfortunately exists somewhere in any field or profession you can name. But do I think dishonesty is the norm in real estate? – No. Do I think the picture the media paints is justified? – No. Do I think somewhere along the line a handful of real estate agents took advantage of a person or a situation and began providing grounds for stereotypes, cliches, and unfair generalizations? Yes. But that's what they are – unfair and painted with a broad brush, one that unfortunately seems to blot out much of the trust and honesty freely available to the public courtesy of sincere agents.
 
-Christopher Zabka
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Comments

# teresa Boardman said on June 26, 2008 05:50 PM:

Thanks. :)

# Richard C. Decker P.A. said on June 26, 2008 06:36 PM:

Chris - Thank you for defending us as a community. Real Estate is a large, long term ( both in acquiring and in retention ) item that has a long history attached to it, and emotionally entered into as a purchase. There has been greed attached to stories about it, and people seem to remember the bad longer than the good, and business practices that may have been perceived as strange or shady or just plain wrong. The code of ethics and continuing education have been put in place politically to help correct wrongs of the past, and a basis for which to move forward.

How we work together in various areas, and within the world is not the same. We are on a referral platform on this site. I think it appropriate to acknowledge that the same 'job' of selling real estate is not the same everywhere. For that reason I caution that communication and understanding be sought from the beginning of any transaction with another brokerage in any transaction. Perhaps even to a level of a checklist here on this site that could be referred to for compliance and at the very least a guide to follow.  We in Florida are Transaction Brokers, which has been commented on as less than desirable by agents in other states that have full agency. We as licensees have to follow the rules in place for us to follow.  Perhaps when dealing with another agent from another state, or country, the 'why we do what we do' may come into question. The point I am getting to is that because everyone does not have the same play book misunderstandings may come up, and unless full disclosure and continuous communication is in play, inaccurate stories may circulate due to those misunderstanding and policies that have to be adhered to, but not understood by others outside the area where a transaction takes place. Communication is good. Feedback provided by this site may be helpful in guiding us all to a more tolerant level if dealings get shaky between members both acting in good faith and best intentions, but misunderstanding the customs and rules in place for practicing the business of real estate.

# Christopher Zabka said on June 27, 2008 12:03 PM:

Teresa - thank you for your original post. I always enjoy reading your work.

Richard - You bring up many educational points, at least for me. I have been and continue to learn much about the industry from the members of this site and others I interact with in the blogosphere. Although it makes sense, I didn't realize there could be such wide discrepancies even among real estate practitioners. But I appreciate the need for communication across the industry, and I hope it becomes something that happens more as our site grows.

# Marc Grossman said on June 30, 2008 12:11 PM:

Christopher,  Thank you very much for the mention!  

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