Realtors who do not Act Ethically cast a bad light on the rest of us.
Okay, my title might be a bit misleading. Most Realtors do act ethically, at least 99%, and this post does not apply to them. However, I've had two bad experiences with other Realtors, trying to persuade my clients to "ditch" their buyers agent (ME) and save money by purchasing the house directly from the Listing Agent (this is actually not advantageous to most buyers, would you go to court if your lawyer was also defending the other party?).This has happened to a couple of the other Realtors in my office also.
Both times, my clients were extremely turned off by this behavior. So get a clue, okay? Most people can see right through your sleazy salesman or saleswoman talk ( I won't mention any names here, but you know who you are). One person even suggested that my buyer give him (the agent) my information so that he could call and let me know that my services were no longer needed. FAT CHANCE!
If I had an unhappy client that pursued another agent, that would be an entirely different situation (has never happened). HOwever, in both of these instances the agents kept trying to steal the clients that I have worked tirelessly for. I've been working with one for the past couple months and the other for the past 4 weeks. We've been through a lot and we've built trust and have developed a relationship that I am sure will outlast our transaction. Each person has a story and I feel honored to be part of their life story and that's what I find so satisfying in this profession.
I find that the Golden Rule is relevant in all situations: Treat Others as you would like to be treated.
Vanna - I agree with your position. It is unprofessional and unethical for a listing agent to interfere with the business relationship between buyer and buyer's agent by trying to coerce the buyer to terminate the agent's services.
If your buyer will put the situation in writing send a copy to your local board(s) and the state RE commission. That type of person does not deserve a license and relects on all of us. At the very least notify your BIC and the agents BIC also. I'd not want to work with anyone like that or have anyone like that working for me.
Ryan, I'm glad you agree with me. Thank you for stopping by.
John,
I agree. Something should be done about it. This type of behaviour, in some people's minds, validates all the bad stereotypes that are made of Real Estate Agents.
Vanna, if you have a buyers agency agreement signed and these listing realtors are hot after your clients they would be breaking the law in Maryland. That is one of those "no no" offenses in the code of ethics and is actionable.
June,
In Alaska, we do have the buyers agency agreement. This may seem silly but I just don't use it. I feel as if I work hard, my clients will not be swayed by another agent. I believe that building trust is the most important part of the real estate transaction. If I have done a good job of building that trust then I don't have anything to worry about as in the situations above. I am not saying that I will never use the Buyers Agency Agreement. However, as of right now, I don't.
Thank you for stopping by.
Vanna I feel your pain... I really do... and whie I believe for the most part we have really good folks selling real estate up here... there are always the bad apples..
Hello Debra,
I agree. Most of the folks that are selling real estate up here are fabulous. I've made many wonderful friends and most of the Realtors I know are willing to go the extra mile to help a colleague. =)
My question is, how are these listing agents communicating with buyers with whom you've been working?
You wrote: "I've had two bad experiences with other Realtors, trying to persuade my clients to "ditch" their buyers agent (ME) and save money by purchasing the house directly from the Listing Agent"
Are the buyers with whom you're working out looking at properties without you??? If they are contacting the listing agents directly to see properties, that's bound to happen.
The listing agents are not intefering with your agency relationship of you have none (written representation agreement).
A agree that you don't have to have a written agreement with buyers, although I do use one, but, if the buyers are sent out to find their home, they are bound to be seen by listing agents as potential double dips.
HI Lenn,
Good points. They were at open houses.
Lenn,
I forgot to mention that neither buyers have used any other Realtor to "open the door" for them. The know to call me if they see something that interests them.
The key is in preparing your buyers that, if they are going to be out looking at homes for sale without you, they need to keep up their guard.
Lenn,
Your're absolutely right. The two clients in these situations were both turned off by the behavior of the agents. They both told the other agents mulitple times that they were working with someone already.
Vanna - I'm feeling your pain. I get the same treatment every time one of my clients is forced to pre-approve with another lender in order to submit an offer on an REO. As soon as my clients get the pre-approval - the games begin.
These other loan reps begin hounding my clients by telling them to ditch me and go with them. My clients will tell these reps that they are not the least bit interested in switching lenders, which just makes the other loan rep more determined. I have had my clients tell me that these reps won't leave them alone and I have had to step up and call these morons to tell them to leave my clients alone.
A couple of months ago, there was one BofA rep that hounded my client right up to the day we ordered docs. SERIOUSLY!!!
Can we all say DESPERATE!!!
Donne, I know, REO's are the worst. Many banks promote free appraisals and credit checks if the client goes with them.