This is great what you wrote, “I hope that the change in real estate ultimately leaves us with professionals – full or part time – but those that really see the heart behind each and every transaction. Each city is a small town community of agents. It’s about the clients we represent.

It’s about the relationships to one another.”

You nailed it with this one! We are directly responsible for impacting our local community and economy by the work we do as PROFESSIONALS!

Thank you!

As for quality surviving – cream tends to rise to the top – but so does sludge. Assuming that the “clear out” would be totally meritorious is extremely naive – if not downright foolish. Some were just cunning enough to survive – they were always about the money and never about the client. They survive because they are always thinking about “number 1.” Others simply had more resources ($$$) to ride out the downturn. Some had alternative careers with flexible hours to help them through the storm. I’ve been very disappointed in the quality of many of the survivors in my market.

It’s the way to be, and over time, reputations will be made. In the meantime, I need to go send a few more emails to those agents who aren’t returning calls.

If people have no passion, they should leave the business; unfortunately as the industry has changed, so has the behavior of those who have never represented a first time home buyer.

I recently submitted an offer for a first time home buyer and the first thing the agent said was, tell me it’s a cash offer; I need a cash offer. And that seems to be the norm.