Perhaps working on the perception that licensed real estate agents are interchangeable and your newly licensed cousin will represent you as well as any other agent with a license would help. Note to any non Realtors who find this – they aren’t. You should interview more than two agents and grill them on why they are your best choice.

Of course it may be easier to change the laws than the public’s opinion of Realtors.

Perhaps working on the perception that licensed real estate agents are interchangeable and your newly licensed cousin will represent you as well as any other agent with a license would help. Note to any non Realtors who find this – they aren’t. You should interview more than two agents and grill them on why they are your best choice.

Of course it may be easier to change the laws than the public opinion of Realtors.

NAR would see less dues, and I think that is at the heart of this problem. What a shame if the only reason we don’t have higher standards is because NAR would pocket less cash.

Changing license requirements is key, IMHO. I don’t want a surgeon operating on me that hasn’t been through years of med school, I don’t want a barber that hasn’t had 1000+ hours of training, and I don’t think it’s right that the person helping someone make the biggest financial decision of their life has had the equivalent of one weeks training.

You are right though:

“If someone is going to be remarkable, they’re going to do it regardless of how hard or easy it is to get a license or join a trade group.”

I don’t see that as rationale for leaving standards as low as they currently are though.

Everyone talks about beauticians and such … want to know the requirements to get your Series 7 and become a stockbroker? Work at a brokerage for 90 days. Pass the test. That’s it. And I’ll tell you, studying for and passing the Series 7 was 1,000 times more difficult than getting past a real estate exam – national and state versions – that amount to an intelligence test.

NAR could lobby for more stringent requirements but why do that when lower requirements lead to more dues paying members?

And at the end of the day, I don’t really care what the general public’s perception is … it’s only the perception of my clients, prospective and otherwise, that matters. If they choose to think all other agents are idiots, so be it.

Changing license requirements will be as effective as attempts to legislate morality have been.

The most effective way to “raise the bar” for the industry is simply to be remarkable and let competition drive up the standards for everyone.