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Tony Lewis, Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo (Summit Real Estate Group)

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Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Tony,

I think everyone in the industry needs to focus on the good agents and make it known rather than constantly ranting and raving about the bad agents...we are the only profession who is constantly airing their dirty laundry...A

Aug 09, 2015 02:55 AM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

No, surveys show them still down below used car sale people and lawyers.

Mar 07, 2018 05:21 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,983
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

I think the industry will always have it's nay-sayers, but if we run our businesses like professionals, work well with each other across the bargaining table and treat our clients relationally, not transactionally (so as not to comodotize ourselves) then yes I believe over all we can and are elevating the industry's image. I know we've done away with the notion it's a part time job to be done on the side. The depreciated markets of 2006-2011 ate those folks alive and vetted out our industry a bit (30% left the industry). ActiveRain and it's members are doing their part too, I believe we're here to network and share ideas; so I believe there's a solid effort in process with results happening. It's up to us, not the public, to elevate ourselves with how we conduct ourselves.

Aug 09, 2015 01:40 AM
Rainmaker
784,786
The Woodland Team of Texas
The Woodland Companies - Austin, TX
Land Specialists

Best to not focus on what they think.

Oct 26, 2018 05:08 AM
Rainmaker
699,277
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

We're somewhere in between pond scum and the stuff thats stuck to the bottom of theatre seats.

Aug 11, 2015 11:14 AM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

You have shocked me!  Most feel like the perception is still of a used car salesperson.  Do you all realize the we are licensed by our State and the Federal Government?  We have a Fiduciary duty which is the highest degree of trust one could be held to by another.  We need to believe in ourselves before others can believe in us.  I take price in the porfession of a Realtor and will not allow anyone to look or talk down about me or my profession.

Aug 10, 2015 06:52 AM
Rainmaker
2,486,205
Captain Wayne - Rowlett Real Estate School
Rowlett Real Estate School - Panama City, FL
Rowlett Real Estate School / Owner and Instructor

No changes that I have noticed Tony.

Aug 10, 2015 12:15 AM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Realtor? or Real estate agent?  I think public perception begins with us not using those terms interchangeably.  And I think it depends upon if it's a personal perception or a general perception.

Aug 09, 2015 03:20 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Tony Lewis - I agree with that. At least I feel I get due respect from my clients. And if I don't, they are not my clients. Simple.

Aug 09, 2015 09:57 AM
Rainmaker
179,169
Kim Johnson
Signature Realty Inc. - Coral Springs, FL
Selling South Florida

No, I don't think it has changed much. They still see us as used car sales people.

Aug 09, 2015 09:45 AM
Rainmaker
2,363,566
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Yes

Aug 09, 2015 08:39 AM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

Not really. Some consumers still see as as used car safesmen....and frankly, there are some Realtors who act like that!

Aug 09, 2015 08:36 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,442
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

No. The public perception of real estate agents has been poor for all of the over 50 years that I have been in the business. 

Dealing with some of the agents is one of the most difficult aspects of being in this business.

Aug 09, 2015 06:59 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

No, I don't think it has changed at all.

Aug 09, 2015 04:22 AM
Rainer
231,224
Mike Rock
Complete Design - Granite Bay, CA
Granite Bay Luxury New Construction...For Less

i think, in general, the public thinks less of realtors. my 2 cents. i think the on line everyone is an expert has accounted for most of that

Aug 09, 2015 04:22 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,303
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Not really upgraded.  If allowed, the public will probably speak critically that for no other reason they may think we are overpaid...It goes on

Aug 09, 2015 04:21 AM
Rainmaker
911,448
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Not really. Most of the public still has a negative view of real estate agents. The short sale phase from 2006- now, where many agents were fined and/ or lost their license or went to jail didn't help. The public doesn't care if someone is a Realtor or not, they just group them all together.

Aug 09, 2015 04:11 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I've seen a change from 1978.... big change....

Aug 09, 2015 03:58 AM
Rainmaker
175,614
Spirit Messingham
Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ
Third Generation Full-Time Realtor® 520 471-6900

No.  I believe many see Realtor or sales agent as interchangable and we are viewed in the same groups as used cars sales people. mattress sales person, the person trying to sell you a new cell phone when you walk in the mall....

Aug 09, 2015 03:40 AM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

Until the code of ethics is truly enforced with a heavy hand.  The public will perceive real estate agent for what they really are...untrained, unsupervised and unethical. (NAR's own words)

The problem is not "one bad apple"the problem is "mostly bad apples".

Read the NAR "danger report" that states that the biggest threat to the real estate industry is the agents themselves.

Has the image changed?  NO!  the public still sees Realtors as dirt bags who make too much money.

Eve

 

Aug 09, 2015 01:58 AM
Rainmaker
212,755
Stefan Winter
Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV
Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

Much like any industry you have the good and bad apples in the bunch. I think it is getting better for those that use a professional agent, all it takes is one person to have a bad experience though and they tell others.

Aug 09, 2015 01:46 AM