We have seen so many really awful photos in listings that it’s become sort of a past time for us. A few days ago we saw a photo taken by an agent where someone was caught in the photo trying to get out of the camera’s view. Did the agent not realize they had a review button on their camera so that they could within 2 seconds take another photo WITHOUT someone in it? Apparently not, because they used it in the MLS listing and marketing materials!! That was the last straw. We have now decided to start a “Stupid Realtor Photo of The Week” blog. This is going to be fun!

@ Danilo – “I don’t see many lawyers or doctors making typos or not knowing the basics of their jobs…” In that case you don’t deal with enough lawyers (no experience with doctors so I won’t comment there). Lawyers spell things incorrectly everyday and I have dealt with more then a few that don’t know the basics of the law they are practicing. We have attorneys on every transaction so I have had the pleasure to deal with hundreds of them and some just shouldn’t be allowed to practice law.

Even with that said I feel the barrier to entry into this business is WAY to easy. For a few hundred dollars and a self study course (for agent or broker), you can then go take a state test that only requires a 70% grade to pass. In IL a brand new agent that has never seen a contract can open their own office and start managing other agents (even worse then being able to sell).

All each of us can do is work on our own skills. When we manage or own an office, we can work on our own skills and the skills of thise people that work with us (but even then, we can’t be with each of them every minute of every day – Look for a future post on “Stupid Agent Tricks) and if we own a larger company, we can work on our skills, and the ckills of our managers, and our agents, but the larger and more effective an organization, the greater the difficulty in micro-managing.

As far as there being something beyond the COE from NAR, there is also Pathways to Professionalism, which actually does talk about business etiquette, and how to handle returned calls, showings, etc.

Me, I just want to be proud of my work product – whatever it is

Sits?

I had to do it, I just had to. Now I’ll never be able to spell something wrong on this site. Me and my big mouth.

Danilo – While I haven’t heard a broker say to not report someone, after reading that and thinking about it, I think I would have to walk away from a broker if I heard that. My business needs to be based on reliability and trust, but I don’t want to base it on fear of “bad blood” or “no agent in town will like me.” I’m here for the client not for the other agents. I want to like and be liked by other agents, but its not the only or highest goal I have. After seeing some of the social aspect of real estate (the various lunches, grand openings, etc.), I think some agents do put that social aspect high on their priority list. I, however, am a firm believer that those same people that are in it for the wrong reasons will be gone tomorrow (hence the high drop out rates for Realtors).

Ken – Wouldn’t you know I drove by the place this morning and the sign is gone? I guess what ever was “comming” already “camme.”

I’ve actually heard (from credible sources) of brokers telling an agent NOT to report another agent on blatant CoE and Fair Housing violations because it would create “bad blood” between the brokers. That’s sad…