Over the last 20 years in Estate Agency, slowly as each year goes by, why have we as an industry allowed the estate agency profession to become a shadow of its former self?
Where the combined and accumulative effects of the portals homogenising us, blackhole CRM systems where clicking a button has replaced the personal hotbox and telephone, cheap fee agents prostituting themselves on the altar of low priced estate agency, faceless corporates who sack loyal staff by text, a world where the listing is more important than the sale and a profession where some see their only weapon to get the listing is overvaluing ...
Why have we as an industry allowed ourselves to disconnect ourselves emotionally from estate agency business?
It’s like it’s only about listings, market share and craving to be seen as getting one over the competition?
Only a few days ago, a question was asked of agents on social media... would you prefer to be the only agent out or win the listing whenever a competitor agent was up against you? Most went for the second. Neither was the right answer in my humble opinion
Now I am not criticising you - and winning is important. Beating your estate agency competitors is a great feeling- yet posting that on social with market share graphs and smashing one’s target is something that should be personal to you iMHO, not posted to wind up the competition.
Of course show your RM graph at the free val to show many people trust you .. but on social media – come on – its just you waving your w*lly to pi$$ off your competitors.
In fact, I would go as far to say It sometimes feels like the some (not all) but some Estate Agents see the Estate Agency business as something to serve us Estate Agents... when surely, it’s there to serve the homeowners and buyers we help move from one chapter of their life to another?
People say I am a stuck record - yet this is my truth and I will not apologise - I am really tired of hearing about how us Estate Agents are seen in the same category in life as politicians.. self-serving and egotistical.
It’s no wonder we are seen as we are, when we do what we do.
Of course I am not talking about everyone here.
Yet if what I suggest is even partially true, why is it that those estate agents have discontented themselves from the true purpose of being an agent (to serve others)?
Some might say “well, that’s just Estate Agency”
Sorry - that is BS and a cope out.. and the excuse to take the easy path to disconnect from our reason for being agents (to serve).
If you wish to disconnect so you can get your desires & dopamine hits of winning listings at any cost or posting that market share graph on social media so that can elevate your status and standing amongst your competitors - you go ahead.
Yet, before you scoff or make derogatory comments (which is your right to do) .. can I ask you if are you happy?
Do you feel fulfilled in your job as an Estate Agent? Do feel you make a difference? Or are you a slave to your listings target? Surely you want your work to impact people?
The homes we live in make memories for a lifetime and you are the person that can or can’t make that happen.
I am going to get really heavy now, yet your short-term greed for the listing by over valuing it , might mean your vendor ends up missing out on the home of their dreams because their house didn’t sell in time to buy their dream home.
Your short terms needs mean their kids miss out on the wonderful memories of growing up in that property, going to that local village school and them meeting their childhood sweetheart in 5 years time, ultimately get married in 25 years – who then send their kids to that same school in 30 years time. But no, the parents didn’t sell their home to get the dream house because you need a tickle under the chin from your Area manager to hit listings target, so overvalued the property and homeowner ended up in another home which wasn’t as nice, in a village that was a compromise and thus their life wasn’t as happy.
You might say I am talking ‘fluffy ballcocks’ .. you think what you like. I am sticking by this.
How honoured are we that we can (or can’t) make a difference to someone’s life?
Yes, its the hard path to follow
Yet what has happened to us an industry, where over valuing and indifferent service are the order of the day for many?
Now, I say its time for the silent majority of Estate Agents who do care, who do make a difference to people lives, who do offer exceptional service and recognise the importance they have in peoples live’s to stand up and be counted.
Sure you are a one man/woman band Estate Agency on your own… indubitable you’re outgunned by the big boy agents, indisputably you are bullied by the portals to paying their protection racket fees, yet you are a warrior – and your weapon is you.
Stand up for what is right .. make a difference, charge a decent fee for a decent service, be here to serve, not to take and ultimately, you will win.
Who will stand by you? Follow the learnings and teachings of … they will all guide and support you make the difference. Ultimately, its your choice to make