Having been in the building trades and around real estate agents and brokers since 1978, I’ve seen the real estate industry/profession diluted to that of the telemarketing industry over the course of that time. Technology has also made it the popular mindset that all real estate agents are alike. This could not be farther from the truth. One day last week, I was looking out of the office, which is situated in the square in the main part of our downtown area. I watched a young woman with a clipboard approaching people and taking surveys in the square (permits are required and approved on a case by case basis). After a few hours, I went outside to stretch my legs. She approached me with a big smile and showed me her survey. I was given a copy. When I saw it, I immediately knew which company she was with. (A teaching company that sells real estate, which shall remain nameless) So proud of who she worked for that there was no name on the form. She was in turn was creating a “farming list”. With her keen observation skills, she was blissfully unaware she was “marketing” in the area of our company, which pays rent to be where we are. She politely pleaded ignorance and said she would move to another area.  The next day, she and a cohort arrive again. I do have to give them points for creativity and tenacity. I see it as one of the big problems in how Real Estate Professionals are viewed. In my opinion, with great disdain. The relentless cold calling, along with every other telemarketing company trying to pitch their product, service, you name it, leaves people callous. It does me. I can’t stomach telemarketers. I will not do to other people what I do not like done to me. I think it is highly unprofessional.

With the real estate boom/frenzy we are experiencing here in Northern Colorado, a great number of people jump on the band wagon to make the big bucks. Individuals and companies jockeying to get the most of the market share with what ever methods it takes. Trust me, I have nothing against competition, just how it’s being done. Gallup Polls taken since the late 70’s have repeatedly shown that of all of those surveyed, the public opinion is that only twenty percent of Real Estate Agents/Brokers could be trusted. Not any better than attorneys. At a, Realtor, TM conference last year, their own organization surveyed former clients. The results they received was that seventy eight percent of those surveyed would not use the same person twice. Staggering numbers!

I hope by the way I approach prospective clients, by being genuine and honest, I’m changing how people view people real estate, one client at a time. So far, so good.