What Makes a “Bad” Real Estate Agent?

What makes a “bad” real estate agent?

Easy question to ask, but first we need to define what “bad” means. And “good.”

My first thoughts on what makes a “bad” agent real estate agent:

• Poor communication – with fellow professionals, and/or with their clients, potential clients, and customers
• Thinking they know everything
  • Not saying “I don’t know” when appropriate. No one knows everything, and there is always room to learn. Learning is good.
• Doing fewer than X “sides” a year.
  • A “side” means either a buyer or seller side of a transaction.
  • Broad brush in the Charlottesville real estate market – at least 10 sides is a bare minimum. As an early mentor said to me, “if you’re not doing at least 10 a year, you’re not screwing up enough to learn and get better.” We all make mistakes; not all of us own and learn from said mistakes.
• Not doing this full time; my opinion – there is no room for part-timing this profession.

Thoughts from social media in response to the question, what makes a “bad real estate agent?”

• Not setting realistic expectations for a selling price with a client
• Unfamilarity with real estate contracts and how to properly explain the terms. — that this needs to be said speaks volumes about the training that many, if not most, agents seek out.
• Doesn’t return phone calls, either timely or at all.
• Doesn’t approve showing requests
• Takes 7 times to complete simple paperwork.
• Make other agents do their jobs.
• There is a huge number of licensees who have no real interest in their jobs. No motivation to learn beyond the bare minimum required to get the credentials. They’re just here for the paycheck, and it shows.

Very related – this story I wrote in 2013 about walking a mile in the shoes of a real estate agent.

Also related:

• Questions to ask your real estate agent (in Charlottesville)
• Questions to ask when interviewing your real estate agent
• But it’s Family! (or Why to Think Twice About Hiring your Family Realtor)

Next up: What makes a “good” real estate agent.

I am curious to hear your thoughts on what makes a “bad” real estate agent

Tell me on BlueSky, text – 434-242-7140 – or email – [email protected]