An Industry Under Attack?

Real Estate agents around the country are feeling the pressure. Some politicians and their constituents believe real estate agents are the enemy, charging outrageous fees for doing little or no work. In turn, they are changing laws. See The NYTimes article on banning rental fees in New York. See Fobes Article on the class action lawsuit with NAR. We know the reality. We all know exactly what it takes to get this job done, and it’s neither quick nor easy.

Unfortunately, we are the victims of almost a decade of television that has portrayed all our lives as super-glam, private-jet, Maserati-driving excess, filled in with a few minutes of work to collect outrageous fees. While the consumer has LOVED this glam image, now this (false)image is being used against us. It is, of course, being fueled by some beneficiaries who seek to undermine our role and assume it, or take as much of our income for themselves….while convincing the consumer they are doing so for the consumer’s benefit. Of that, I am almost 100% certain. The average real estate agent is far, far from a millionaire. All are self-employed independent contractors…..or small businesses. We are a celebration of the American Dream: the dream of starting and owning a small business, whether as an individual or a team. All experience significant costs to do business. Most work tireless hours, often seven days a week.

Now more than ever, we have a responsibility to message to our spheres of influence exactly what we do every day, exactly how much work it takes to get the job done, and even more importantly, how many years it has taken you to be in a position to even be able to do this work and connect with your clients 365/24/7 on a whole host of other matters far removed from transacting.

Of course, the consumer deserves the best value. Their needs should always be our priority. But every intelligent, informed consumer needs to know exactly what REAL value we bring to the equation. If they do, they will be happy to pay for it. if they don’t, they won’t.