Are we, or are we not Real Estate Professionals?

From time to time things happen in every profession that makes you think “Are we professionals?” or is the public perception of us correct? As a fair amount of people view Realtors as snake oil salesman! They think we do little or nothing and earn a big fat commission check. And every so often some licensed professionals prove this common misconception correct!

I give you the “No Show” agent. Here is the scenario: you pull up to a listing with your client and as you’re sitting in front of the home your client says “No, that house is not for me, no need to even go inside”. So, you as the professional does what?

1)    Try and convince the client that we’re here and so let’s just take a quick look inside. Explaining to your client that the homeowner made the home ready for their visit and it is the right thing to do.

2)    Tell your client that it is their prerogative not to go into the house, but as a professional you need to see if anyone is home and let them know of the buyers decision or at the very least leave your card so the homeowner knows you were there.

3)      Simply agree with your client and drive away…

As a professional I would hope you would answer 1 or 2. However option 3 happens all too often! Agents simply say ok and they drive away, never knowing if the homeowner is home waiting for them, never considering when the owner comes home all can do is wonder if anyone was even there? Not to mention the listing agent is hoping to get some feedback from the showing (I would say meaningful feedback but that’s another posting). In all honesty how long would it take you to walk up, knock on the door, and if no one is home enter the house and leave a card? Three minutes maybe four? And wouldn’t this make you look like a caring professional in your buyers eyes? If another agent simply drove away from one of your listings how would your seller feel? How would you feel?