So I had a cool thing happen yesterday. Because of our Internet programs, we receive a ton of calls on most days. Every once in a while a customer will call my phone number to chat. I don't really sell homes anymore since I am the broker and won't compete with my Agents plus The eHomes Realty Network sure takes a lot of time from me these days!
So I got this call from a guy from Atlanta. He told me that he found my website and was going to be down this weekend to look for a home. He has to buy something shortly. We talked for a bit about his needs and then he mentioned he had been down here this past weekend looking at homes. I immediately asked him if he had a Realtor show him homes and he said yes. I said, "did you like the Realtor who showed you the 15 homes this past weekend?" He said yes. I then told him that as much as I would like to help him, he needs to call the other Realtor and work with her if he is happy with her.
He paused for a moment...long enough for me to ask if he was still there. He then proceeded to say that he has bought a bunch of homes in his lifetime and this was his first experience with an honest Realtor. I was amazed. Of course it is against our Code of Ethics to steal a customer from another Realtor. This is on Ethic that almost every Realtor could care less about. After he said that to me, I told him that I don't and won't do anything to jeopradize my integrity and telling him to go to the Realtor who helped him this past weekend was the right thing to do. He thanked me for being so honest and said he will call the other Agent and make sure she knows that I told him he had to use her.
So think about that. I only did the right thing. I only did what we are supposed to do. This guy was amazed at my honesty which is just how I do things. All my Agents know that if they did anything remotely against my morals and ethics they are gone immediately. But to me, this is a sad state of our business. I'm sure most of you would have done the same thing....wouldn't you have?
In the end, I ended that phone call with a great sense of pride for both myself for being the person I know I am and more importantly for this guy to realize that there are some great people out there that have honesty, ethics and integrity before the mighty dollar. I just wish all my fellow Realtors would follow the same ethics that I use and I instill in my Agents.
I just thought I would share this experience because it was pretty awesome!
You're a stand up guy Mitch! I've said the same thing to folks myself and have been met with the same stunned silence. I can see how not all agents would be as ethical, especially in these times, but I like to sleep at night. And have the satisfaction of knowing that I do the right thing every time.
Thanks for sharing this!
Mitch~ I always ask if they are currently working with a Realtor. I can't understand why anyone wouldn't ask that particular question? Vickie
I can't help but wonder why he would call a different Realtor if he liked the Realtor he used before. Why do people bounce around like that?
Hey Mitch, seems like common sense, however, it's obvious from this guy's experience that it may not ,be the rule. The community is too small and life too short to not be conducting ourselves this way always, and our reputations and longevity as Realtors depend on it. This is why clients our hire us and seek our guidance. Good for you!
Like you, Mitch, I work with lots of agents. And though some of them are really top-producers, I would venture a guess that not many of them would have done what you did. Kudos to you! Please send some agents like that my way!
I wonder why the agent he was out with and showed him 15 houses did not explain to him how real estate works these days. She may be losing alot of customers.
Mitch, when I ask that same question and get similar results, I always wonder if it will be ME the next weekend who won't be called if I agreed to work with another 'run-away customer'. I hesitate to work with someone who I know jumps around, wasting numerous agent's time, and I suspect will buy on a whim off the next yard sign. Like you, I always ask, and if possible route them back if they liked the prior agent.
Mitch, Very commendable of you and the way we should all work. BUT it is not and ethical issue according to our CoE.
Standard of Practice 16-9
REALTORS®, prior to entering into a representation agreement, have an affirmative obligation to make reasonable efforts to determine whether the prospect is subject to a current, valid exclusive agreement to provide the same type of real estate service. (Amended 1/04)
Basically, a buyer, just like a seller, is open territory UNLESS they have signed an agreement with a REALTOR(R). The act of showing them properties, whether it's 1 or100, does not make them your customer/client. This is why it is so important to work under a BBA when working with buyers.
Sending a buyer back to the other REALTOR(R) is nothing more than a professional courtesy that some may abide by and some may not. It's in no way a requirenent or an ethical offense.
OK I reread my comment and wanted to stress that I too would have handled it the same way and I in no way want to diminish the good feeling it gave you. It's just whenever I hear "ethical" or 'unethical" I want to make sure it matches up with our CoE.
Hey Bryant - My story wasn't really about me feeling good about my decidsion. I guess my point of what I was saying in the first place was the perception of the public about Realtors. Yes, maybe it's not in our code of ethics, but it's the code of ethics I live by to be honest. I don't value money more than I value my integrity and I'm sure the Realtor who was about to lose her customer (not client) probably needs the money more than me! :) Unfortunately most Realtors don't educate their customers enough on how we work and therefore lose customers all the time. Personally we educate every one of our customers on exactly how we work and we very seldom lose customers. I'm a firm believer that if you do the right thing, then good things will happen for you. It has always worked out for me. However, you bring up a great point. Since it's not in the code of ethics, most Realtor I'm sure would feel fine about taking the customer. Be sure to educate your customers if want to keep them.
I have done the same thing on multiple occassions. I know I'dhave more money if I didn't, but I have my self respect and know it is the right thing.
I've come across a few people who have had horrible experiences with shifty agents. Others feel that they didn't get the value they deserved for the amount of commission they paid another agent. Some days I feel "dirty by association" - like any time now consumers will trade out Lawyer jokes for Realtor jokes. Thank you for taking ethics seriously and for choosing to do the right thing. Each one of us that makes the same decision will share in creating a positive consumer opinion of Realtors.
Congrats, Mitch! In this market, I would guess that at least 50% of the agents would have tried to lure him away. Even though you won't be working with this oarticular gentleman, when you are honest and ETHICAL, other business is going to flow to you.
Mitch, I agree with every thing you have said. And you SHOULD feel good about it. Integrity is a wonderful thing. And it's one thing that no one can take from us. I need to quit commenting on posts so early in the morning:)
Bravo Mitch!!!! It's amazing to think there are agents out there who would cut your throat in a heart beat. Great job...Rich Charlotte NC
Thank you for sharing your story. It's a shame that it's so unusual for a Realtor to do the right thing. If there were more examples of this, maybe the public perception of Realtors would not be so low!
Hi, Mitch--what a great story! I'm amazed (and disappointed) at the number of agents out there who don't respond with the integrity you did. This year alone I've encountered quite a few instances in which agents from other offices within my company and even an agent or two from my office have "taken over" a buyer/seller I was clearly working with. It always makes me wonder if that's how they behave in their professional life, how do they behave in their personal life? I always try to remind myself of the Golden Rule -- do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Hats off to you!!
Way to go Mitch. Thanks for setting such a good example. What you did ultimately reflects back on all of us in the real estate profession. Wouldn't life be grand if everyone did the same?
Nice Job Mitch,
It seems to me the agent with the prospective client must do a better job communicating with the client. A buyer's agent has got to develop the relationship so that the "ethical decision" never has to be made... Shouldn't an agent have the conversation with the buyer about contacting them first if they have any questions during their property search? Sorry in advance if I'm simply stating the obvious...
Mitch, My hat goes off to you! If all agents were as honest and moral as you, maybe Realtors as a whole would have a much better reputation! I too always go by the Golden Rule. Do unto others...Way to go!
Several years ago I started asking call-ins if they were working with a realtor. I discovered that many people were and just didn't want to "bother" their realtor so they called the listing office first. I take the time explain to them how it works and that their realtor would be want to be "bothered"
As to stealing other people's clients - yup - goes on all the time. Some of our ranks just aren't that honest - and ultimately we all pay the price by being viewed as unethical or sleazy.
Mitch - As a mentor of my was fond of saying: "Your character is who you are when no one is looking". Karma will reward you.
This reminds me of the golfer who called a two stroke penalty on himself this week, and as a result will probably lose his tour card...you can't teach that; you can't buy it; you either have it..or you don't.
I appreciate you.
I appreciate your honesty, especially in the tough market that we're all trying to survive in today. If there were more realtors with your morals it would be a much friendlier environment to work in. It's exhausting always watching your back and guarding your clients.
One can appreciate your blog, I must live on a different planet. I just don't see all this client stealing and unethicial behavior. I always ask if they are working with another agent and it seems that others here do the same.
We need to hear more examples of how people like you are doing the right thing every day. Good agents are out there but everyone focuses on the bad ones and that makes us all look bad. Why is it when we are doing the right thing it's just expected but doing the wrong thing gets all of the attention?
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Mitch,
I think what you did is otherwise known as the golden rule...Do unto others. Well done!
Way to go. It always feels good to do the right thing. Have a great day.
Mitch - Thanks for the post - You did the right thing and we are all the better for it!!
Have a Great Evening!!!
Mitch, it was so great to meet you at the Blood Hound Conference. I feel the same way, I can rarely et away from my computer. Even in a really BAD Michigan market we are cranking.
I wouldn't be surprised if you stick in his head and you get referrals from him now...he may stick with that agent but your honesty has stuck with him....
Great point ! Honesty is great, and it feels great. Also, I believe that good karma comes back many times over, in business as well : )
A very refreshing story Mitch - congratulations on your commendable exceptional values - '...I don't value money more than I value my integrity....'
Suze Orman says, people first, then money, then things.
Mitch - Honesty will always be rewarded in this business. It is unfortunate this gentleman had negative experiences with other agents and was surprised by your performance. I can truly say that in my experience the bad Realtors that I have come across are few and far between. All the best to you and your business!
Mitch - you did the right thing and that's why it feels so good. What goes around comes around.
Mitch, It sure is nice to be able to put your head down on your pillow at night and rest peacefully when you have done to others as you would like them to do to you...even if they don't! Great post!!!
Mitch,
Thanks for the post and setting the example. Doing the right thing is always the best thing.
Thats why my broker is always telling us to get the buyer's agency agreements signed. I hate those things and wish they were not necessary.
Good job Mitch. I do that too but I don't think there are a lot of agents around here who do.
Wow! It's great to see so many Agents who feel the same as I do about ethics. I'm happy to call all of you great Realtors who actually care that people look at us in a bad light because of the bad apples in our business. I remind my Agents all the time that the only way we will ever get the perception of our business changed by the public is to start policing ourselves and getting the evil Realtors out of business. In my area the worst Agents are making the most money. How scary is that!
Thanks for all the compliments. I appreciate it. In the end, I just did what was right and I'm so glad to see so many of you agree.
Mitch, good to hear that there's some decent real estate agents out there still. We like you already.
Mitch - that's a great feeling, isn't it??? Knowing you did the right thing AND getting a big 'ol pat on the back for it? Good for you! Your agents are lucky to have their licenses hung with a person of such character.
Mitch-Since I only work with buyers, I laways get these calls and always ask THE question. Most of the time they are not working with another agent but when they are, I explain to them and try to steer them back. Only if they insist the other realtor wasn't doing anything or never returned their phone call, then I will work with them. Hey, another agent stole a client of mine that I worked with for months, telling them she had a pre-foreclosure house but my client was not allowed to have representation if she wanted the home. She fell for it and used that agent to buy that home. I firmly believe that what goes around, comes around, so its all good!
Mitch - I wish everyone were like you!!! Once upon a time, I had spent hours setting up some homes for someone to see. It was a little bit of a different situation and I had to make sure each prospective home could meet their needs. I actually had another realtor call me and to say he would be taking this person through because he had been given his name by a friend. He had never even spoken to the client himself- I had. When I talked to the client again, he said that yes he had just talked to him and he was going to use him after I had sat up all the appointments.
I have never forgotten that and consider him a snake in my area! And he is here on AR! There is a snake among us!!
Ultimately isn't it the customers decision who they work with. What would you say if he said he wasn't particularly impressed with the other agent and wanted to work with you? I commend you on drawing that line as to who you will work with.
Honesty works for me! I had a lady from New York who called me a few weeks ago----by the end of the conversation, she told me I was the first Realtor who had been totally honest with her. She's coming to buy a home in January.
Mitch,
Thanks for setting a great example. Honesty is the best policy not always the easiest course to take.
I agree with an earlier comment by Gregory - if the buyer liked the other agent, why wasn't he calling her? Maybe he didn't feel she understood what he wanted to look at/buy. Someone can be "nice" but not connect with what their clients' needs are. After you saying to call her again, it then made it terribly awkward for him to say he didn't want to. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if he hung up and then called yet a different broker in town.
Just trying to point out that everything isn't always black and white, and that often people don't say what is really going on.
While it is nice that you were honest and not trying to steal a buyer, sometimes buyers want to change agents for intangible or private reasons. My opinion is that after having asked about an existing relationship with another agent, if someone hasn't signed a contract and wishes to use your services instead then realize that they're an adult and hve the right to work with whom they want. And if that happens to be you, then say Hallelulah and take it!
At the end of the day knowing that you did the right thing in all capacities makes for a more restful night! So.....you got a good nights rest, were a good example to your peers and to top it off were awarded a GOLD STAR for sharing it in your post!
Life is Good!
Debbie
Great story. We are changing the public perception of Realtors one phone at a time. Thanks for your part in it.
Very good, Mitch. Let that be a lesson to the agents out there that give our industry a bad rap. As mother always told us, honesty IS the best policy.
Honesty is alway best I hope the other realtor appreciated you!
Mitch,
You certainly did the right thing and that is what I practice and preach to all my agents. Congrats on the activerain feature!
My first question after hello, on a new call is; Are you working with a Realtor? If the answer is yes or I think so, there really is nothing else to discuss but pleasantries for me.
It is sad that based on your call, that seems to be the exception for this man. Due to your answer we may have one more fan of our profession; way to go, but you just did what all realtors should have done!
Mitch,
In just calling a real estate office and asking for a real estate agent who is not in and being encouraged to work with who is in the office, or being told bad things about that other agent, I can say that this gentleman's response doesn't surprise me.
It doesn't mean it can't change. Businesses that cater to real estate professionals also need a check-up when it comes to ethics.
Hey Mitch,
Knowing you as long as I have, I'm not at all surprised by your story. Good job!
:o)
What an inspiring story, Thanks for showing the public that there are honest agrents out there.
Have A Great Day