I’ve hesitated to write this post because I’m a little worried it may come off as whiny or even with a hint of bitterness mixed in to the words. If it does…please forgive me.

I wanted to address an issue that is one of the number one reasons why many Realtors quit the business. I’ve heard of many of some of the best who just couldn’t really take it anymore.

Realtors are one of the few people who work for someone without any pay – simply on the hope that there will be a closing with a paid commission. Most of the people who “hire” a Realtor for no pay, often treat them no different than a store clerk. Whichever one happens to be there when you’re ready to check out, that’s the one to use. Even if another clerk has been helping you all along. The difference here is that the clerk gets paid, regardless. The Realtor may spend hours and money, and doesn’t seem to receive the loyalty of the clients.

Allow me to use a real life example – hoping to give you a little of the bleeding heart.
A customer called me on one of my kids birthdays. She was ready to buy a house, had her financing in order, and wanted to see five properties that day. Since I’m a single mom trying to support my kids, I had to make the decision to show the houses. It meant a possible $4500.00 commission for me. As it turned out none of those houses worked. We met again a few days later…and a few days later…etc. Nothing was ever “good enough” for this client. We became friends while driving to the various properties. I probably spent a couple of hundred of dollars, just in gas for my car. That doesn’t count all the hours I spent researching “the perfect” property. I would call, e-mail, etc. Finally, she found the house that was “perfect.” It was a short sale, so I cautioned her about all the ins-and-outs with that. Well…somehow another contract came in higher than her very good offer and she lost the house. The next time I called she let me know that she was taking a break from looking. Too much heartache. A few months later I called to see how everything was going. She couldn’t wait to tell me how excited she was to be in her new house! I wanted to be happy for her. But part of me felt crushed. Not just at the lost commission, but because somehow I felt like a failure for not having sealed her loyalty.

I can see why Realtors want to walk away from the business when things like that happen. The good agents work really hard for our clients. And when they call an agent on a sign and use them instead, we feel defeated. … and used.

I heard of another Realtor who had a client from out of town. The Realtor had driven the couple around for three days showing them property after property, including all the countless computer work before the couple arrived in town. After the third day the Realtor dropped off the couple at their car with plans of meeting the next morning. The next morning the client called all excited. They drove around the night before and found “the perfect house!” They didn’t want “to bother” the agent again that night, so just called the agent on the sign and put in an offer, which was already accepted by the seller.

Is your heart breaking yet?

On one hand, the Realtor could have required them to sign the document for buyer representation. But sometimes, you just want them to have the common decency to use the person who has given their all to them.

If your Realtor is giving you great service (that doesn’t mean they are at your beckon call) – please be loyal to them.

One reason I decided to write this is because before I was a Realtor, I didn’t really know they didn’t get paid an hourly rate when they “worked” for a company. I could have easily used one Realtor one day, then called someone another. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, I sometimes wish I could go back and tell that Realtor I’m sorry…although “I’m sorry” doesn’t quite make up for a lost commission.

I know there are agents out there who really don’t do anything about looking for the house for you, and you probably should find someone who will be pro-active in helping you to look. If you aren’t satisfied with the level of service your Realtor is giving you, send them an e-mail stating that. If they don’t pull up a notch, then you have ever right to go out and look for another.

My pledge to my clients is that I will do everything within my power to help them find the home that they are looking for, and then follow through to get their contract through to closing. I give all of my clients my cell phone number and encourage them to call me night or day with questions. All I ask from my clients in return is that they be loyal to me while we’re looking for homes.