Have you ever noticed that if you mention you're a real estate agent to anyone, they'll say, "Oh, my mother is a Realtor(r)," or "I have a cousin that is licensed . . ."
Yeah, scary I know!
But even scarier . . . are licensed agents that don't do anything in real estate.
You think I'm making it up . . . how many real estate agents do you know who have gotten into the business within the last few years who have not done any substantial transactions to date? Riding on others' coat-tails and posing . . . and the only deal they can talk about is the one they were in -- when they bought their home, if you know what I mean.
Active Rain is a good vehicle to gauge experience and authentic real estate knowledge. A seasoned and/or knowledgable agent is not too hard to find, or discern. Sadly, there are some on Active Rain and other social media networks that probably wouldn't be able to sell, or buy, their way out of a paper bag.
Read their blogs.
- Is there any substantive discourse of real estate in their blogs?
- Are their posts only social in nature and/or waste-o-time blogs?
- Do they even blog about real estate?
- Have they put a deal or transaction together in the past month (on their own without the help of the broker in charge or sucker mentor)
- Do they only post pictures of flowers, trees, their kids . . . but don't post their listings?
- And if they don't post listings (because as an Exclusive Buyer Agent I wouldn't) do they talk about deals they've done, anecdotal information . . . ANYTHING to do with them actually working in real estate??
The I.R.S. defines real estate as a "hobby" (or any business activity for that matter) where there is no income derived from that activity.
There are a lot of Realtor(s), and real estate agents who talk loud, while saying absolutely nothing. They use the social media platform and expand like a balloon full of hot air,
Sure, newbies . . . using social media to assist and gain a presence is all viable and legitmate. But, any blogs that do not contain substanitive discourse of real estate might be pissing on your leg and telling you it's raining, in my humble opinion.
This is a test.
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~ Representing Buyers Since 1999 ~
Carla Muss-Jacobs, ABR, CEBA, e-PRO, Realtor®
Principal Broker/Owner
EBAPortland, LLC
YOUR Exclusive Buyer's Agent
CHECK OUT www.EBAPortland.com for Home Buyer TIPS!
Read My Blogs:
- http://ebaportland.tumblr.com/
- http://localism.com/neighbor/realtycj
- http://activerain.com/blogs/realtycj
- http://portlandeba.activerain.com/
- http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/112655
- http://www.trulia.com/profile/EBAPortland
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Inactive realtors...or Blogless realtors...realtors who can't spell blog...there are far tooo many....our MLS is down 4 figures....and I would guess by the end of the year maybe another 4....if you don't get it....welll.....
My own company has many agents that haven't sold anything in a few years. Why do we even have them on our roster I ask?
Hi Sally & David . . . time has a way to work things out, and as you say, maybe then end of the year will prove more non-practicing agents will toss in the towel.
Hey Laura -- good question. But if they pay their desk fees . . .
Carla - I'm sure there are some real estate brokerages out there that operate the same way as many mortgage brokerages but in my industry, your are paid to perform. If you don't perform, you are cut loose - PERIOD!
Here at Cobablt, we must complete a certain number of transactions a year or we are released from our employment contract. Furthermore, our commission split is also based on our production and we must perform in order to maintain our splits.
Hi Donne -- thanks for your comments. This is a good Office Policy. I appreciate this comment since it's good sense, and something I might incorporate when I expand my practice. ;-)
Hi Carla! You have very good points, but I would only caution not to throw out the babies with the bathwater...
As a relatively "new" agent, and a "part-timer" at that, I know that there are too many of us who might fall into that category, but not for lack of trying...
and not for nothing, I think I've done more talking about real estate than anything else on my blog ;-)
Hi William -- the blog is more for consumers who get enticed by a smooth talker/operator! You are honest and upfront. You don't sell the steak but for the sizzle, in other words. Which is why I commented on your blog. I had written mine, read yours and realized when I read yours, you ARE NOT a poser!! Honesty is the best policy, and I don't think anyone would fault you for your honesty. Matter of fact, I hired a young agent once who hadn't even been in real estate a year. He was honest about his experience, and didn't pretend at all. I engaged his services BECAUSE of this honesty, and him telling me that he was even more then part-time. And he didn't try to razzle dazzle me with all "look at me" hype. He was part-part-timer. I think I was his first listing. You are also absolutely correct -- and this has nothing to do with anything other then your words o' wisdom -- the experience must be yours (applicable with anything in life). Yup we can learn from others, but we learn more by doing! You establish yourself as credible . . . by being exactly that: credible, Thanks for your comments.
P.S. William . . . I wrote: A seasoned and/or knowledgable agent is not too hard to find, or discern.
A knowledgable agent doesn't need to be a seasoned one. And a seasoned agent, conversely, can be as dull as a 5 watt light bulb. A good broker can spot a newbie agent in a different light . . . but there are a ton of agents that really, really shouldn't be licensed, IMHO.
;-)
Carla - okay time to have some fun! The beginning line of your blog ( they'll say, "Oh, my mother is a Realtor(r)," or "I have a cousin that is licensed . . .") reminds me of the quote from Ferris Buellers day off:
My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with a girl who (has an aunt who is dating the brother of a realtor) Okay I made up the last part...obviously.
Hey Nevin . . . LOL . . . and you forgot to mention -- they ALL have blogs and they ARE the blog queen/king. All hail the queens'/kings' best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend who is dating the brother of a realtor.
Carla- your comment drew me over to read your blog and this one made me giggle. I know some of those posers. In fact, I really need to "cut one of them loose". *oh, did I write that out loud. I knew I would like you immediately when I read your comment and you too were a bit freaked out by another comment on my post. #21. Now I have to find out how far my nephew is from that Mexican place you posted about. He's in Oregon for less than a month now and missing home a lot, he's from San Diego and something that tastes like home would be nice for him.
Hey Tammy, I did a nice Active Rain clean out this weekend. I found your former client very sleezy, and I'm so glad you weren't involved. Your nephew is experiencing a nice fall this year. But, wait -- the rains will start soon. He'll REALLY be missing the sun of San Diego. Thanks for you comments!
Carla, we have them in my profession too----those that exaggerate what they have done in order to seem more experienced than they really are.
Carla, I have to agree - I have wondered the same thing!
Well, you may be talking about ME in this, for i come here in the Rain to PLAY!!! I do not take the time to post all of my achievements and list my listings & stuff that the experts say i should do... guess i'd flunk the Rain classes every time! Oh well.... listen, just direct me to the corner hunnie!
Oh, Carla...thank you...did you know that you could make a grown man blush ;-)
Hi Charles -- It's amazing how easy it is to get licensed as a Realtor(r) and Home Inspector. There are online courses for both! OMIGOSH. But I think the poser home inspector is even worse.
Hey Sharon . . . great minds?!?
Hi Diane -- The blog wasn't written about anyone specifically at all. The post was written because many consumers are caught up with a lot of things, and knowledgable agents can be overlooked. I've read your blogs, and one recent one about the scary mold, etc. seems to me to be apparent that you are knowledgable.
Hey William . . . LOL
I may have misinterpreted your post a bit Carla, but meant no harm.... (was attempting to bring a little humour)..... but i DID see myself in your description!
Hey Diane . . . we all do a little selling of the sizzle, not the steak.
Writing original content . . . I thought that was the objective of bloggers who use this site. Isn't direct personal advertising an Active Rain no-no?
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Hi Carla, I agree and real estate posers are posers in general, who pose in every aspect of their life, whether it be socially or professionally.
I've had people repeat to me, MY true life stories as one of their own before. Once when this happened I wasn't very nice and said in a detailed response, "Gosh, I think remember you telling me about that. Didn't so-and-so, do-such-and-such, right after and this-and-that happened?" When I knew more about the story than they did, the light bulb (the one you can barely change *wink*) went off and they realized they were cold busted. lol
Andi -- your photo didn't show up :-(
I tell people my life is an open book, but don't write it for me, thank you VERY much!! And read the whole thing if you want to know . . .don't read a sentence, or a chapter.
You must have a very interesting life if someone tried to use your story. And this is when being ripped off imitation ISN't a form of flattery.
I would be interested to know about your story. I'm sure you're a fascinating woman!! You write very well. :-)
Grrr about the photo. I don't understand how it can show up in my profile but not in my posts/comments. But thanks Carla! You definitely know how to boost a girl's morale!!
As for the imposter I spoke of in the previous post, I did kind of feel bad afterwards. I didn't have to ding them with my verbal oozie in front of others. It wasn't very nice. Most posers are very insecure, stressed and constantly striving for acceptance. I kind of feel sorry for them now..as long as they aren't on the opposite end of my deal screwing everything up. lol
As for my stories...oh they mostly consist of I Love Lucy and Gidget moments.
You better START BLOGGING -- "I Love Lucy and Gidget moments" OMIGOSH! That's funny! Just go to the "Contact Active Rain" link at the bottom of all screens -- hmmm see old dogs learn too. I just thought it was on the home page, but it's on every page, and put in your request for assistance.
Carla I did it! I posted my first blog!!
--Andi
Hi Andi -- I see have read!! WONDERFUL BLOG!!
Andi, I am pretty sure that your picture either doesn't show up until you upgrade to rainmaker:)