Are Realtors Serving Their Clients
Over the last few months I have noticed a disturbing trend in South Florida Real Estate. One that seems to be getting worse. I work seven days a week for my clients. I am always available to them or to other Realtors to provide showing instructions or answer questions about properties. As the market has slowed here with short sales being in the majority and with the closing of firms it seems like the quality of Realtors are deteriorating.
Let me give a case in point. Last weekend I called for showing instructions on seven homes. I received showing instructions for four of them and of the other three two I never received calls back on after leaving numerous messages and the last was disconnected.
This weekend I tried to contact the three we could not see last weekend. Two never called back. I contacted the agencies and still could not reach them or get showing instructions. The third I spent 45 minutes tracking down. I went to the DBPR and found out the agent had changed firms. I finally tracked her down. When I did get in touch with her she told me that the house was not really for sale. She said the sellers had changed their mind and had no answer when I asked why it was still listed.
These agents are doing their clients a great disservice. It is their duty to be available to provide showing instructions or at least provide them to their offices. When looking for an agent I would advise a homeowner or landlord to find out how the agent provides this information and also check on their availability. Houses cannot sell or rent themselves. We are paid for a service and it is an agents responsibility to provide that service. If they cannot they are of no benefit to a seller or landlord and another agent should be found who is accessible.
There are also other problems that I have experienced. When I go out for listing appointments I try to give my clients an accurate comparative market analysis of what their property is worth. I have other Realtor give a seller a higher analysis just to get the listing. Later on I have watched as they have lowered the price. It has eventually been sold or rented at the price which I had originally presented.
Should this be considered a violation of ethics? Do we owe a responsibility to our clients to present with an accurate representation of what their property is worth? To me the answer is yes. I owe a duty to my clients to present them with the true facts and accomplish their goals in the fastest times with the best results. By pricing their property too high I am not assisting them.
As the market has declined I believe that Realtors must hold themselves to a higher standard. We must go above and beyond to achieve the results that our clients deserve. It is a tough economy and we must gain the trust of our clients and do everything possible to assist them in every way.
About the writer: Lang Real Estate is a company dedicated to helping consumers find the home or rental of their choice with no worries. Visit www.lakeworthpropertiesties.net or www.southfloridarentalshomesales.com to find all the necessary tools you need to assist you.
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