My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Beverly Carter, a lovely lady and fellow real estate professional who met a tragic end in a business that begs for a change in the way it is conducted. Its a commission-only business requiring a tremendous amount of time, energy, and sacrificing of weekend hours (while the rest of the world spends them with family)--all in effort to make a living. Hours of taking clients around, researching and providing real estate information, and showing homes, oftentimes result in zero monetary reward as client loyalty can change like the weather or the minute a friend or relative pulls out their real estate license, regardless of their knowledge and experience. Like Beverly, Ive done it many times, especially in the burbs--met potential buyers for the first time at a home, conducted open houses in secluded areas, drove strangers around in my car, even spent my Sundays on construction sites where there was nothing in turn except mounds of dirt and my sales trailer. I love my work and the many people and clients Ive worked with; however I do feel that there are many flaws in our business. Yes, we can better vet our clients, have them meet us in office, make a copy of drivers license, or hope that a colleague will volunteer their time to accompany us (ha!)--the whole nature of our business doesnt set up that expectation. A potential buyer will just call another agent if even slightly inconvenienced. An attorney meets with a client, takes a retainer fee, and conducts their work from there--knowing that a loyalty is forged and their hours are compensated from the start. We have no such system--instead we just put our 120% of effort, even money upfront, and hope for the best. Yes, an attorney goes to school for many years and earns a law degree. Perhaps obtaining a real estate license should require the same--after all, we wear a legal hat in devising and reviewing contracts, we need to possess a sales ability requiring negotiation, numbers, analytical skills, and we need to have a psychological know how to help clients through an oftentimes emotional and overwhelming experience. If obtaining a real estate license were more stringent, it would eliminate a saturated pool of agents and the cut-throat competitiveness that comes with it. Moreover, it would help garner a pre-set public expectation and perception, solidify a standard in practice, and ultimately make for less precarious situations like that which Beverly faced. Im shocked and saddened by her loss and hope that real estate professional communities everywhere will rally toward making some much needed changes. RIP Beverly Carter and God Bless.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 21:03:50 +0000
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