Realtors don't have

- submitted by Anonymous on 05/15/2007

Realtors don't have feelings. Let them suffer!

Love the friend, she's got

- submitted by lolly on 05/15/2007

Love the friend, she's got her priorities straight. What's for lunch?

I'm in northern NJ and I can

- submitted by buyer on 05/15/2007

I'm in northern NJ and I can tell you prices are still sky high. We can barely afford anything. I don't know what that realtor is selling, but she oughta come here. It sucks.

I used to be a realtor. It

- submitted by Anonymous on 05/15/2007

I used to be a realtor. It turns you to pond scum. I was ready to kill almost for a listing. I had to quit before I became one of them, like my best friend who stole, cheated and lied all the time. She's no longer a friend, sad to say.

1 of the realtors is lunch

- submitted by luncher on 05/16/2007

1 of the realtors is lunch obsessed which i respect. i used to be a broker. it stinks. if i focused more on lunch i probably wouldn't have had my nervous breakdown.

Realtors

- submitted by Anonymous on 05/16/2007

Realtors are like stock brokers in a sence. If it were not for them there would not be a housing market. Sellers and Buyers don't realize the hard effort Realtors make to market a property. The Seller wants more than the property is worth, the Buyer wants to buy the property on the cheap. Juggling every transaction between what buyers and sellers want is not an easy task. After listening to lies from a seller and buyer a good Realtor can make the deal work which is in itself an art.

On Anonymous's point about

- submitted by notsofast on 05/16/2007

On Anonymous's point about realtors being like stockbrokers, yes and no, I'd say. Realtors have a monopoly and their trade group has done everything possible to make buying and selling houses without their help impossible.

With stocks you can now trade and invest online without the "help" of the middleman and without paying his fee.

The realty industry has tried to prevent the direct transactions from happening. They can provide a service but it's not nearly as valuable as they try to persuade. They're trying to maintain an un-free market. Let the market be free and then see how much their services are really worth.

I wouldn't be pinning my

- submitted by brokersstink on 05/16/2007

I wouldn't be pinning my argument for realtors on the integrity and service of stock brokers. The past 10 years has shown us how corrupt and self-dealing they are.

A realtor's only interest is in making the sale. It's the only way they get paid. And for what? For saying to a person, gee, this house is available down the street? If you can't rely on their advice and impartiality, then they offer nothing. Hard to see how anyone should be sympathetic to them.

My wife became a realtor and

- submitted by guystoo on 05/16/2007

My wife became a realtor and I barely recognized her. Her office was about who could out sleaze the other the fastest.

She quit, thank God, and she now sees what she had to be like to survive that culture. It's not pretty!

Ignorance rains as usual

- submitted by TWG on 05/16/2007

It's the typical attitude - "It's everybody else's fault, because I'm perfect."

1. Most of the rules that make selling house difficult were established by consumer groups or legistators trying to respond to problems - not Realtors. Realtors hate the rules because it makes it more difficult and challenging for them. They have to make sure they dot all the eyes and cross all the t's or they can be held liable.

2. Realtors don't set the price of housing. The consumer does. Most want too much for their house and most buyers feel like they are being ripped off. Buyers have unrealistc demands, they always want more than their neighbor even though their house is not as nice or as big. Buyer's have no idea what construction costs. Of course, in some markets - typically in new construction the cost is way over priced. However, it is driven by greedy buyers, who think they can pay any price and then flip and make a profit doing nothing. The worst part is this greedy frenze tends to artificially raise the price of other housing. However, the seller gets the money not the Realtor.

3. Oh, yeah Realtors make too much. They typical response. Everyone else is overpaid. I'm the only person who isn't paid what he is worth. However, Realtor Fees are splits. While the exact percentages vary - the typical deal is the listing broker that lists the house - gets 25% - from that he pays all advertising, office expense including rent, phones, and all the costs of running a business. 25% goes to the listing agent who works for the listing broker. 25% goes to the selling broker (broker who represents the buyer) - he has the same expenses other than advertising the property as the listing broker. 25% goes to the selling agent - this the person drives you all over town looking at properties. This person invests all the time and money to show properties. Oh that brings up something else to complain about - the price of gas for the salesperson to run all over town.

3. For those people that complained they were turning in sleazes or their friends were sleazes are sleazes - don't group good Realtors into your group. Most are hard workers, of course, there are some terrible business people in the industry just like every other industry, but then the good brokers are glad to see you leave. Hussling to get listings or sales is just like any business - do you think any good sales person sits around waiting for sales to occur. People that think that are lazy and probably can't make it in sales, which is an honorable but tough business. My experience is that anyone who can't make it in any industry says the industry is terrible - it's cut throat, no ethics etc instead of admitting they simply don't have the professionalism to succeed.

On the other side:

1) Good realtors save buyers and sellers from making a lot of mistakes that would cost them thousands. More times than not, when there is a problem with a contract - it's when buyers and sellers try to do themselves. They end using unreliable lenders (mortgage brokers) or they don't do things they should to protect themselves.

2) Sellers are lot more difficult than realtors. People are blind to problems about their house - they conceal facts or unreasonable about demands and then they wonder why they can't sell their house.

3) Buyers often want to steal a house - if they can find someone in financial trouble they try to buy it for less than market conditions - why not drive the last nail in the seller's coffin so I can make a buck. All is fair, but why are you blaming the realtor.

4) Highly knowledgeable realtors are more useful on legal issues related to real estate than most lawyers. Most lawyers have one course on real estate, realtors spend tons of time learning the legal issues related to real estate - it's required to get the license and they must take continuing education. I'm not saying they are better than a lawyer who specializes in real estate, but most lawyers no very little about real estate. So if one has had its one course - who is misrepresenting the facts by saying I will protect you.

5) The ethics for Realtors is very high. If they violate the ethics they can lose their license to practice and depending on the violation the broker who sponsors the agent can lose his license too. This is taken very serious. Some of the worst offenders in this area have been realtor lawyers.

6) No industry is perfect. There are inexperienced agents. This is no different in any profession. You need to do your homework. Get references, take responsibility for who you hire. However, when you hire the right person - they are worth every penny you pay them, just like any other professional.

7) As to fee. Think about this - they don't get paid unless there is a transaction. How many buyers run a broker all around town for weeks. Then suddenly they find a sale by owner, so they go to that person and try to cut a deal leaving out the agent. You want to talk about being ethical? When sellers over price their property, the broker is the one who suffers. They spend their money advertising the property, showing, all the other expenses that go with the process - yet since it's over priced it doesn't sell, thus they lose money. A seller over pricing their property doesn't get hurt. If they have to sell they tend to get reasonable, but what about those that just kind of want to see what they can get?

8) Then their are sellers who over price their property. Can't sell it, but get an offer close but not the full offer, yet they refuse to accept it when it's totally fair. They then fire the broker after the broker spent months trying to sell the property. Then finally, the market slows down and prices start dropping, so it's the broker's fault and the seller ends up taking less than the offer the broker tried to get them accept. Again its the broker's fault! Why?

9) If the average price is $200,000 that means the realtors earn about $12,000 or about $3000 each when divided up. However, if the price is dropped to $190,000 the seller would lose $10,000, but each of realtors involved would each lose $75. So it would be in the realtors best interest to sell a house at a very price so it would sell instantly with little effort. It's clearly not in their interest to over price it. But if they lowered all properties - the market value would drop and the $190,000 would be considered the fair price. The reality the only way the system works is when the house is set at a fair price for both buyer and seller. The realtor is best able to determine that since they are in the market place on a daily basis. And they are not emotional attached to the house.

In conclusion - get a life. Stop complaining about everybody else. Realtors like anyone other profession has good ones and bad ones, but the majority earn their fee. Yet, instead of selecting a broker based on qualifications and experience - seller give the listing to someone who list at the price they want -not what's worth. These agents do this because they are inexperienced and desperately want a listing at any cost, but the cost is very high. They will waste their time and not sell the property. Whose at fault here - the realtor or the seller. I would think the seller they look for the incompetent, then they complain he's incompetent. But if you hire an incompetent then you are the incompetent.

I could go on for hours, but it's probably a waste of time, because too many have their mind made up and can't accept any other views but their own distorted view of the truth. Those that understand don't need me to ramble on. So if you hate realtors - don't use one. Sell the damn house yourself and see how well you do. But here is a shock. True if you sell it yourself, you don't pay a realtor fee. However the statistics are it takes longer and you will get less. Keep in mind if it takes 6 months longer to sell the house, you paid the realtor fee to bank instead, on top of the fact that you got less. Why? Because the buyer thinks, if they don't have a realtor, I can get the house cheaper. Oh, the free market is terrible - the other person always seems to win.

TWG is right, in part. I was

- submitted by formerrealtor on 05/16/2007

TWG is right, in part. I was a realtor for years and many of us did good work and tried to be fair. I think our clients generally appreciated our efforts.

But I will say that my office, which had nearly a 100 agents, was filled with people who cut corners, didn't hesitate to steal lists or names and who really were focused only on their bottom line, getting a deal done.

Of course there are bad apples in all businesses. But in this area, the pressure to make sales, to get listings and whatnot is particularly strong.

I've worked with too many brokers who mislead potential buyers sometimes over small stuff, sometimes over larger things. They would rationalize, saying if they didn't do it, somebody else would. They'd also convince themselves that they weren't big deals.

But they sometimes were big deals, like problems concerning asbestos, underground oil tanks, lead paint, even structural damage.

Again, there are some terrific honest brokers. But the pressure and competitiveness of this area -- also the fact that in some ways there aren't any great barriers to entry in the profession, realty companies employ part-timers, former stay-at-home moms and dads -- contributes to a climate of cut throat and not the best behavior.

Especially when the selling market is depressed, like now, I believe the worst in brokers most comes out. That's not a surprise.

But, TWG can say all he wants about how upright and valuable the realtor services are. And in some ways it's true. But in all my years in the business, I saw too many bad and shaking things from too many people. I got into arguments with too many colleagues who weren't doing things "right." So there is too some truth to the complaints.

I don't miss the business at all. I still have some friends there. But I've also happily left many who just weren't fair.

TWG sounds like he makes a

- submitted by cheated on 05/16/2007

TWG sounds like he makes a good case, but all I know is I was completely lied to by my broker, about her commission, about my obligations.

And the idea we should rely on realtors for legal advice is absurd. My realtor told my I could get out of my contract within a certain period of time. I believed her. When I tried to I was advised by lawyers and others I couldn't. I was stuck.

I had to end up settling with the seller, paying her a lot of money, so I didn't have to buy a house that turned out to have termites and radon and God knows what other problems.

So, spare me the violins for realtors. Some are fine, I'm sure. But I have friends too who have tried it, and they have all complained about the environment at the office and the others.

You guys need to lighten up.

- submitted by Smiler on 05/16/2007

You guys need to lighten up. It's beautiful out (at least in Somerville). Sales people by nature have to be aggressive. Whatever. Smile, be happy, and rent, it's the only way.

realtors are lower than a

- submitted by Anonymous on 05/16/2007

realtors are lower than a used car salesman

I do feel bad how lowly

- submitted by formerrealtor on 05/16/2007

I do feel bad how lowly realtors are regarded. Used car salesmen? Yuk. Some are bad, I know, but aren't almost all used car salesmen bad?

1. convicted felons 2. real

- submitted by Anonymous on 05/16/2007

1. convicted felons 2. real estate agents 3. meter maids 4. dental assts 5. used car salesmen

a good realtor makes you

- submitted by Anonymous on 05/16/2007

a good realtor makes you alot of money

whoever said rent will never

- submitted by Anonymous on 05/16/2007

whoever said rent will never be successful

realtors

- submitted by Anonymous on 05/16/2007

i work in this industry and all i can say is this

its always the buyer nad seller trying to get rich fast and trying to use realtors to do the job.

very very few realtors are rich and they dont try to use licence for personal favors but they are working hard to serve this greedy bustards who are behaving like wolfs between sheeps

realtors are usually people with integrity and moral and ethics while sellers and buyers are creating this high priced junkyard

i'm buying a house now. i

- submitted by gettingit on 05/17/2007

i'm buying a house now. i told our realtor we wanted a victorian or something like that. 2 out of 1st 4 houses we saw. new hideous spec houses. great! she's fired!

Housing in the dumps

- submitted by San Diego Lasik doctor on 05/20/2007

Yes, Realtors are hurting but so are many home sellers!

Here in San Diego our real estate sounds the same as yours. Actually, the real home value drops are much great than reported.

For a good article on some insights into the real word home value depercation, visit: http://www.brokerforyou.com/brokerforyou/?p=13

This is a great article. This real estate broker's main blog is at: http://www.brokerforyou.com/brokerforyou/

Thanks Tim

Realtors are scum?

- submitted by Anonymous on 07/29/2007

Realtors are not scum! The only scumbags in the business were scumbags before they got into the real estate business.

Seller's won't listen. They are greedy and want their homes overpriced.

We spend a lot of our time (not paid) with buyers who hop from realtor to realtor (dumping us), backing out of contracts, and delaying pre-approval. It is a consatnt fight and a very tough job. People shit on us, not the other way around.

Scum

- submitted by A Friend on 08/31/2007

There are no bigger crooks in the universe than realtors. EOM

Realtors

- submitted by Anonymous on 10/13/2007

Like so many I am sick of realtors pretending they have a secret inside into how to sell a home. Look around your area, makes some calls, find out what homes are selling for, and price your property accordingly. You have a powerful advantage of having no commision to pay and can negotiate your price accordingly.

99% of realtors give the rest a bad name.

"Seller's won't listen. They

- submitted by Anonymous on 11/02/2007

"Seller's won't listen. They are greedy and want their homes overpriced."

Get real ! Whos house is it Mr. Realtor ? Yours or theirs, for you to say they are greeding for asking for what they think is fair.

This is what really erks me about scum realtors, they insult people like this and then have the nerve to say how hard they work.

You are the stuff that pond scum hate, realtor

Let me also address these

- submitted by Anonymous on 11/02/2007

Let me also address these pointless whining comments

Realtor said -- We spend a lot of our time (not paid) Me-- then get a real job jack ass.

Realtor said --with buyers who hop from realtor to realtor (dumping us), Me-- you are right they should avoid all you in the first place

Realtor said --backing out of contracts, and delaying pre-approval. Me -- Oh boo hooo, the deal was a bad deal the person wised up so what ! You just feel upset that you did not get your commission, the only one for the year likely

Realtor said --It is a consatnt fight and a very tough job. People shit on us, not the other way around. Me-- Oh get real, the house belong to someone else, you jerk ! You are making money on someone elses property. Not much different the a leach sucking the blood out of someone else.

The only tough part of the job is becoming the filth you need to be in order to do the job.

Get a real job and do something that really matter, like cleaning the toliets at the ball park.

What's really going on?

- submitted by SoldByKervin.com on 11/10/2007

In my experience, the public does not usually turn out as smart as they think they are when it comes to Real Estate transactions. I know because I have had to rescue several 'know it alls' who got themselves in too deep.

The public is right about one thing though: why should they pay 5-6 figures in commission for what seems like obvious and simple tasks (even some agents fall for this thinking and cut their commissions until they wake up one day out of business).

Realtors (who pay attention) develop a sixth sense in managing transactions that is actually priceless. I repeat, priceless. Commission is just another competitive tool in the process that helps get the job done, and more importantly attracts the talent to get it done. The talent of course to navigate emotional minefields that exist whenever there is lots of money involved.

So, Mr FSBO, how many buyers have you lost not handling the calls/inquiries properly? How much money have you given away every time you open your mouth? How do you help the buyer decide to buy your home?

Not to pick on sellers only: Mrs. Buyer, how should we narrow down the 99 homes that are available to you in the area you like? It seems most buyers stress out trying to avoid buyer's regret. Why else would they seek (and in cases, pay) good agents to guide them in the process?

Contrary to what some would have you believe, people trust their agents and count the value they continually add to their lives. And the agents sleep well at night knowing they've earned the loyalty of those clients and enjoy the lifestyle they have built from these rewarding relationships.

The only sixth sence a

- submitted by Anonymous on 11/17/2007

The only sixth sence a realtor learns is when he is about to be caught in a lie and how to back peddle out of it quickly.

Realtors serve no purpose at all.

Realtors are Whale Dung

- submitted by DEE on 03/26/2008

Whale Dung, can you think of anything lower. They are the lowest of the low. The go to a couple of weeks of training and they are a Realtor. They go for another week or so and they become Associate Broker, they go for a couple of hours and they get CRI, DLS, and other whale dung crap after their names that don't mean diddly squat.They are protected by the largest lobby group in the nation and they are licensed to steal. The Real Estate Commission in each state protects the Realtor, not John Q. Citizen, a person whom they want to steal from.

It should be mandatory that they possess a four year Business Degree, or masters if they want to be a broker. They call themselves professionals, but I call them thieves. I have known many really rich realtors who live LARGE. You know how they got there - lying, cheating and stealing and they think they are better and smarter than GOD!!!

Also Century 21, Remax, and other horrible real estate companies let whale dung thieves do anything they want...just so they bring in the MONEY$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I am glad many realtors are hurting. Let them go work at McDonalds awhile, they deserve it.

Why do realtors always put

- submitted by Anonymous on 05/13/2008

Why do realtors always put themselves in the same professional catogory as doctors and lawyers? Realtors/Brokers/Sales Associates what ever you want to call them have the IQ of whale dung. I am also glad to see 99.99% of them starving and in the food line. Talk about being humblized.

Realtor

- submitted by Kevin O'Shea on 08/10/2008

I have been a broker for over 20 years. You meet all kinds in this business. The ones that last, listen to people and try to do right by them. (That way they get referrals & repeat business).

It isn't always a good idea to list with a neighbor or a relative who doesn't know the business because they just got their license.

Talk to a few brokers, find one you are comfortable with that will represent YOU and go from there.

After talking to someone for a few minutes you should be able to figure out if they are out for themselves or for you.

The plumber jokes and the Realtor Jokes are all funny. But there are a lot of hardworking people in the business that try to do the right thing.

All the best!