Comments on: Real Estate Agents Need To Be Trusted Advisors in 2009, Not Cheerleaders

By: Charleston SC Real Estate

Charleston SC Real Estate — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:57:41 +0000

I think consumers are tired of all the “fluff” and are ready to hear the facts. Cheer leading has caused a lot of consumers to go into default.

By: Atlanta Homes

Atlanta Homes — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:18:04 +0000

This is a very important point going into 2009. Many people I have talked to have blamed the NAR for thier “Now is a great time to buy commercials” in late 2007 to 2008. The truth was that it was a horrible time to buy and many claim the NAR new it. This is a refreshing article and the truth needs to be told now whether it is good, bad, or ugly.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:51:32 +0000

SoCal real estate is where its at!

By: Christian

Christian — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:32:07 +0000

Ah yes. So refreshing to see this in print. So many Realtors are talking about how awesome the market is. Truth be told, it IS awesome, but the way we interact with clients needs be done delicately. NAR has reported that ethics is rapidly becoming one of the most important concerns to the consumer. We need to not only be ethical, we need to be *perceived* as ethical.

By: Randall Sandin

Randall Sandin — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:10:15 +0000

You are on the money with the “cheerleaders” comment. In 2009, more than ever, Realtors need to be honest and blunt as we will be delivering tough news sometimes. But remember, sometimes just getting out from underneath a property and helping the seller retire that debt is more important that putting cash in their pocket.

By: Christopher Hain

Christopher Hain — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 06:12:32 +0000

I totally agree with not being cheerleaders. I got a lot of flack last year and earlier this year from my co-workers and colleagues for saying that 2008 was going to be a terrible year for real estate. Obviously, I was right.

When I was quoted mid-year in the L.A. Times saying the rest of the year would stink, I got more flack. And on my blog I call it how I see it, good or bad.

I think clients and potential clients appreciate it.

Everyone hates a realtor who is always spinning bad news into good news. People see right through it. It’s like listening to a used car salesman.

News travels so fast these days that everyone is aware of what’s going on. And because more people started thinking of real estate as an investment, they’ve paid a lot closer attention to real estate news. You can’t “spin” what’s going on with the real estate market. Many of the real estate blogs call out “realtor alert” when they have comments from head in the sand realtors. And N.A.R. is no help either with their unrealistic predictions.

What you can do is be a resource about real estate, about local markets, about good properties you know about, about creative ways to sell things, about different ideas to consider for purchasing.

Listen to your clients. Do what serves them best. You can’t trick them. You can’t spin them. People pay too much attention to real estate these days. They’ll see right through it.

By: Real Estate Roundup - Week 52

Real Estate Roundup - Week 52 — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 02:33:36 +0000

[...] Real Estate Agents Need To Be Trusted Advisors in 2009, Not Cheerleaders at The Real Estate Bloggers [...]

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 17:10:50 +0000

What I'm noticing is that no one seems to be willing to say real estate is a bad investment! Too many are itching to buy. Thus... We seem to be getting further from capitulation.

By: Dan Simon - Charleston SC Real Estate

Dan Simon - Charleston SC Real Estate — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:45:05 +0000

Thanks for the great article, you make excellent points! As Realtors, we need to maintain a positive outlook but we also need to portray an accurate and realistic picture to our clients and contacts. It is easy to just tell buyers and sellers what you think they want to hear. It won’t take long before that over priced listing or that search for the “deal of the century” has frustrated everyone involved and damaged many good relationships.