RealTown's BlogTalk

"...professionalism in Our Profession--Realtors...posts by Judy, Maggie, Bob and others "  

 May a recent Realtor join the thread--my experience is from the Educational background and believe me there are many educators who fit the various descriptions some of you posted as the non-professionalism within the Realtor ranks.  It is ironic that so often one can substitute another 'subject' and keep all the verbage, adverbs, dangling participals,etc and still carry on a viable and informative conversation.  It is great to hear that many people feel this strongly about the need of personal character training within a Profession.  I used to believe that anyone who went into a "people" oriented  profession chose accordingly  rather than simply finding a 'job'. I was wrong all those years ago, and find this to still be true in this Professional choice.  My husband & I, too, are a team-- the "d" team--2dragottas4u.com. He worked for 30+ years at G.M. ending in Automobile Shows Stateside and Interational; he began in Real Estate about 18 yrs ago. We were part-timers I guess based on some of the posts, but always the clients came first with us.  Now, we have moved back to Resale from New Construction; we have our own web site, e-mail, domain ( thanks to the e-Pro course) and are affiliated with a very professional Broker in --Keller Williams Lakeside Market Center in Shelby Twp, MI. under team leader-Mary Lou Laporte. I am pleased to know that we are in the Profession with all of you.

Barb Dragotta

  Barb-epro & Sal-Realtor Dragotta 

   dragotta@2dragottas4u.com  586 . 382 . 0237

  Keller Williams Lakeside Market Center-45609 Village Blvd. Shelby Twp, MI 48315

I must say that this has been my goal from the start.  I can remember my first clients I ever had.  I of course had fear (being my first) but I know that my fear was not the about mistakes or what mountains I would have to climb to close the deal it was truly the satisfaction of the client.  It was pleasing them on all levels and of course my highest level which was and still is honesty.  No matter how many deals I have lost because I have been completely honest I can always say myself or the clients have never regretted the outcome of the situation.

I feel there should be more conversation on this topic.  It is truly a thing of the past when it comes to customer service and peer relationships.  I am that agent who will send update to everyone in the transaction just to make life and business easier.  I am always happy to help and would like that in return.  Know that there are many agents out there that feel the same way.

Yours truly,

Michelle Minik

West USA Realty

Michelle,

I have always believed that cream rises to the top. We get a short amount of time here to walk around on this earth, and I'd like to aspire to making some lasting impressions.

Here, here to others in my profession, and in any profession, that want to be the best they can be.

Monica McNamara
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Ocean City Maryland

http://www.Ocean-CitySales.com
http://www.RealTown.com/MonicaMcNamara/blog

Professionalism is not just lacking in real estate agents. The qualities you describe as being awol among realtors are frequently absent throughout society.

There are two kinds of people in the world: givers and takers. Givers put other first and convey a genuine concern for the welfare of others that is displayed through honesty and integrity.

People who are takers think of themselves first and view others as a means to getting what they want (often thinking they deserve it). In other words they use people.

Realtors who deserve to be called professionals are first of all characterized as givers -- people who genuinely care about others and seek to help their clients achieve their goals.

Another way of putting this is, If we are more concerned with credit than results, there won't be any results to take credit for; but if we are more concerned about results than credit, there will be plenty of credit to go around.

Make no mistake about it, clients are not easily fooled. They return again and again to agents who are givers, and they refer their friends to you as well. On the other hand, they would not think of coming back to an agent who took advantage of them the first time. And they won't refer their friends either.

 Monica,

Your comments are important and is especially evident in what is going on in Wallstreet today.  

I don't believe that any education or affiliation with a professional organization will change ones character or integrity.   I have seen people lie, cheat and steal without blinking an eye.  Some of these people stay the same throughout their lives; others change.  I have also seen a few people consistently do the right thing, no matter what.  These people go out of their way for others and are not concerned with material things.  

Professionalism in todays society is political correctness and protocol.  Unfortunately, ethical questions regarding a real estate agents financial gain in a transaction remains with the agents personal preferences not societal standards.  

As with so many businesses; clients or customers,  the end result starts with an individual's choice.

Keep the Faith and Do What's Right (it doesn't hurt to practice a little Yoga!)

Sandra Zuidema

Naples, Florida

Monica,

Great post and congratulations in maintaining your profesionalism and decorum, an dyour human good will.  putting others before yourself is a lost aret, but I believe it comes back to you tenfold. The referrals will come from those who realize your ethics and responsibility .  I am anxious to hear what comes from NAR as mentioned by Judy Moses and as recognized by past president Mendenhall.  I will be at the NAR annual meeting and hope I willh ave a chance to hear this addressed at some point!

Debbie Kirkland

850-212-0440

www.HomeSalesofTallahassee.com

Your Capitol Connection

Armor Realty of Tallahassee, Inc.

I could not agree with you more . I have been in this business less than a year, and I am struck by the lack of  professionalism shown by many agents. It isn't rocket science, however a little research+ honesty goes a long way. Treat your customers the way you would like to be treated and your business cannot help but grow.