Things not to say to propective or current re clients

NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
Here is a real life REbroker from Lanser's blog:<p>

<i>"Get real! I wonder what the affordability percentage would be if they used REAL WORLD numbers? There are loans available that would qualify a buyer to 45% of gross income with a 10% down payment. 28% is not an accurate qualification rate.

Ten percent down, with today?s interest rate, this is cheaper then rent, and there is a great selection of properties.

If you?re worried about the value going down in the near future, negotiate that into your deal today. If you buy it right it?s a win win deal!"</i><p>

Is there anyone out there who does not think that realtors do not bear some responsibility for familys losing their homes presently? Where is the NAR to boot this moron out of the biz?
 
As Real-Estate Agent, Area Man's Appearance Crucial

<p>GRANGER, IN–Looking good is an essential component of Gregg Rafalski's success as a real-estate agent, the 35-year-old RE/MAX employee asserted Monday. </p>

<p>"As a real-estate agent, my appearance is crucial," Rafalski said. "On any given day, I'm interacting with a large number of people: clients, property owners, business associates. It's of the utmost importance that I convey professionalism to my customers and colleagues at all times." </p>

<p>To this end, Rafalski said he always wears a freshly pressed shirt, a "smart-looking" tie, well-polished shoes, and a minimal amount of carefully chosen jewelry, usually a watch and one ring. He also makes sure that his fingernails are clean and neatly trimmed. </p>

<p>"Buying a home is one of the most important decisions a person can make–many are sinking their entire life savings into it," Rafalski said. "That's why I need to project an air of confidence to my clients. Rumpled khaki pants and an untucked polo shirt are simply not going to cut it when you're looking to say, 'I am fully in control of this situation.'" </p>

<p><img title="As Real-Estate Agent" height="212" alt="As Real-Estate Agent" width="250" src="http://www.theonion.com/content/files/images/onion_news1015.article.jpg" /> </p>

<p>Gregg Rafalski, who understands the importance of a good first impression. </p>

<p><a href="http://www.theonion.com/content/node/28647">it keeps going...</a></p>
 
Along the same lines as Captain Metro above, I was just killing a few brain cells by watching an episode of Real Housewives (yeah, I admit it) -- when lo and behold Tamara B. says "being a realtor in OC, I've always got to look good" but the best part was that she said it WHILE getting her face filled with Botox. It really can't get any better than that. I feel so dirty for even watching. I need to go take a shower.
 
<em>"being a realtor in OC, I've always got to look good"</em>





How much of their own bullshit do these people believe? Everyone in OC has a justification for their vanity.
 
<p>Ok, Trooper just reminded me of my open house experience at the Tustin Field neighborhood. The house had no furnitures and the realtor sat in the corner of the living room with her laptop. When I walked in she didnt' even bothered to stand up to greet me. She just sat there in the corner and lifted her eyelids to take a glance at me. Kind of freaky. So I walked around the house giving myself a tour. Before I left, I notice the house was next to a railroad track so I said, "Oh, do the trains come by often and is it noisy?" .....The seconds after she said, "No, you can hardly hear them."......A train or metrolink sped right by the house. It was one frightening sight to see a speeding train right outside your window. Hahaha!</p>

<p>Same day, I walked down the sidewalk to another open house. I swear to God I am not joking. The freaking realtor was taking her noon time nap on the front porch's bench. I whispered to my wife, "Should we walk past her without waking her up?" Too bad my wireless phone doesn't have a camera...Hahaha!</p>
 
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">OMG, the article above about Captain Metro/GQ Realtor Gregg Rafalski is hilarious. </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">This guy is delusional. What is he doing squandering his talent in Pawtucket, IN. </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">He needs to relocate to OC, where he’ll feel right at home with the other snobby and pretentious realtors like Jenna and Tamra from the Real Housewives Show </p>
 
"Prices will only decrease by another 5% at most"<p>




"Prices will only decrease for another year at most."<p>




If you wait until the bottom, you will miss out on getting a property that you really like."<p>




Are there any realtors reading this? Are you getting it? Stop with the scare tactics. Stop thinking of your commission and start listening to us. We aren't stupid. The internet has changed things and you aren't neccessary anymore, so if you want to keep selling real estate, you had better start adding some value to the situation instead of just trying to close a deal.
 
I doubt any realtors actively posting on this blog are the type you are so angry with awgee. And the ones deserving of your contempt aren't the kind to take a blog like this seriously, which means they probably aren't going to read this, much less reply to it.
 
<p>awgee</p>

<p>It seems that maybe you have some anger issues. Are there any other professions that you have such hatred for?</p>

<p>Everyone is certainly entitled to their own opinion but you sure seem hateful.</p>

<p>I happen to see the internet as a helpful tool that aids both myself and my clients.</p>

<p>Life is too short to be unhappy.</p>

<p>Nude</p>

<p>You have a good point. Like I said before there are good and bad, professional and unprofessional, honest and dishonest people in all areas of business.</p>

<p>I gain knowledge and insight from reading this blog. </p>

<p>An open mind and a closed mouth often increases one's knowledge.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Enjoy!</p>

<p> </p>

<p> </p>

<p> </p>

<p> </p>
 
xsocal, your condescension toward awgee is really tiresome. awgee does not have "anger issues" any more than the rest of us do. Would you condemn someone for being mad at a thief or a vandal or an arsonist? As a rule, most real estate agents and mortgage brokers over the past few years were operating utterly devoid of a moral compass. They deserve our contempt. So please take your misguided derision elsewhere.
 
irvinesinglemom



"thief or a vandal or an arsonist"



Those are some pretty strong words. I am truly trying to understand the hostility and venom I see here. I also wonder exactly what events happened to you to make you use those words. If a real estate person or lender did break the law in a transaction with you I would hope that you took appropriate legal action.



Enjoy the great week end.
 
<p>I see Awgee as someone who speaks his mind, he is alright. I appreciate all the comments here. Statistics show only 7% of all realtors are trusted so we realtors definitely have a lot of self-improvement to do. No doubt here. </p>

<p>I have noticed that the more seasoned a realtor, the less of sale pitch/comment/speculation, s/he makes. The seasoned realtors know better what to say and what not to say to make themselves successful in the business.</p>

<p> </p>
 
xsclm - Trying to paint me as angry will not decrease my credibility nor will it increase yours. I have met some of the folks who blog here and their level of intelligence and perception is almost scary. Attacking me personally is on par with the same misdirection typical of the comments being pointed out in this thread. There is no reason to attack me personally and paint me as hateful. If you have issue with anything I have written and think it inaccurate or unfair, please have at it. But personal attacks are infantile and do not provide anyone opportunity to "gain knowledge and insight from reading this blog."

<p>


Making broad generalizations and concluding I am hateful or have anger issues because you have read my posts is akin to concluding that you are a liar because of the few scare tactic posts you have written. That would be ridiculous, wouldn't it?<p>


Nude - I don't think I am angry with realtors. I am finding it rather stimulating exposing misdirections, omissions, condescensions, and lies. I am guessing, yes just guessing, that there are more than few and quite probably many, realtors who read this blog and are lurking while never posting. Just a guess, I could be wrong. If you read my posts again, I think you will see that I have attacked behaviors endemic to a particular occupation, but not anyone personally. If anyone thinks the behaviors I and others have pointed at are unfairly pointed at realtors and re agents, then please state your case.<p>
 
I feel like I'm talking to a brick wall made of saccharin.





First of all, as a mature, intelligent human being I am able to have viewpoints about issues that may not have ever affected me directly. That said, the last time I bought a house (in 2004) the mortgage broker tried to strong-arm me into a toxic loan. Because I am assertive, well-read, and not easily intimidated, I did not accept the garbage loan he wanted me to take on. But he really pissed me off with his aggressive, self-serving sales pitch. At the time I thought it was just a one-off. Having found the bubble blog world in 2005, I quickly learned that his approach was far from unusual.





Facts and data, that's what you see here. If you don't like it, then go away.
 
<p>awgee, when it comes to realtors as a group your hostility is blatant. Yes, I can see you find it stimulating to actively engage those few who post. Maybe you have another emotion driving both your eagerness and hostility, but from here it comes across as anger. Considering the board and the blog, it seems futile to try and convince anyone of your points, which is why I commented. I'm not claiming that you are attacking anyone personally, just that you are assaulting a hardened bunker with snowballs.</p>

<p>More importantly, I'm not attacking you. Sorry if it seemed that way.</p>

<p>ism,</p>

<p>Facts and data are *part* of what I see here. What I would hate to see here is groupthink, cliquish retaliation, and an "us vs. them" mentality. If you don't want opposing viewpoints and spirited discussions, occasionally even heated arguments, then close down the forums. Otherwise accept that part of IHB growing in popularity means that not everyone is going to cheerlead the downfall of real-estate and related businesses, that people come here to read more than just "haha, look at those people lose their jobs", and random speculation, conjecture, and pure opinion will become commonplace on the threads. I don't agree with most of what xsclm posts, but telling him to "go away" seems a bit childish to me, especially when awgee responds so eloquently.</p>
 
OMG! WTF happened this weekend? Who pissed in everyones' Cheerios?





First - I have met awgee, and he is anything but angry. In fact, he is probably one of the most cheerful, optimistic, and happy people I have ever met. And, if you have read his posts, and I have for the last year or so, you would know... That on a snarky scale of 1-10, he can be a 10. Truth be told, I kinda like it. The sarcasm can be very thick around here. It doesn't mean that anyone here wishes anyone ill will. And, if you really think that, then you need to read some more and more, to find out what people like awgee are really about.





Second - That has to be NIR's best comment yet. I am sincerely sorry, that there are dipsh*ts in the industry, who have tarnished those who do not deserve it. And, I know that there are or were many that ruined it for the people who believed in fiduciary duty. That is one of the main reasons why I got out. I was the one who listened to the ISMs out there, and advised them away from the toxic garbage. But, there were many people not as savvy as ISM, and they got duped by the strong arming a-holes she speaks of. Most importantly, NIR realizes that awgee means no ill will towards her.





Third - XML, I warned you the sarcasm here can be overwhelming. You better ask NIR what she did to get the thick skin that she has. And, if you don't think that the industry isn't overrun by unscrupulous people, then you are either turning a blind eye or are unaware. I suggest you read the <a href="http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/2007/03/19/the-plot-thickens-in-fraud-park/">Fraud Park</a> post. They screwed over so many lenders, and screwed up so many comps, that it is unreal. Go google Daniel Sadek, and let me know what you find. He is the epitome of the gluttonous greed in the industry. One of 1500 Porsche Carrera GT's was lost, because of his wasteful, can't touch me, arrogant, stupidity. And, you have no idea how many other chop shops spawned from his ways. Yes, there are actually good people in the industry, but unfortunately there were way too many Daniel Sadek's who f*&ked it up for the good ones. This "hatred" isn't directed at the good ones, it is directed at the idiots who never should have been in the business in the first place.





Fourth - Nude, is your sarcasm meter broken? Does it need new batteries? Come on... you of all people here should know that awgee is <em>very </em>sarcastic. Throwing snowballs can be fun, and it needs to be done every once in awhile. And, everyone here has hurled their fair share of snowballs, including myself. Ugh, I may need rotator cuff surgery because of it.





Lastly - This is the intarwebs people! Unless you know the person, and what they <em>mean</em> from their comments, then don't take it personally. This is a forum to learn, grow, and vent. Granted, I vent more on Lansner's blog, but I still vent here. I really miss oc_fliptrack's blog as another venue to vent. And, this is a venue to vent your bearish or bullish opinions. But, get to really know the people here before you make a personal comment about their opinion, or if you don't, then expect a reaction that will show that you don't know them.. I didn't find ISM's comment "to go away" that harsh. That is who she is and how she feels, and I wouldn't expect her to candy coat that. Just because you don't agree with her opinion, it doesn't mean that it was personally for you. And, if you go away because of it, it shows you are the weaker person.





I appreciate everyones' comments, whether I agree with them or not. That is why I like to come here, to read and learn from both sides. If I were ever to take a negative comment towards me seriously, then I wouldn't be here. Blah.... NIR would have been long gone, long ago. But, she didn't leave and she continues to add to the forums. That is what I want to see, and I think she provides an example of someone who can be humble. I, for one can learn from that.





{rant over}





Back to the theme of the thread: "NODs are slowing, the market has hit bottom."
 
<p><em>"That has to be NIR's best comment yet."</em></p>

<p>Agreed.</p>

<p>I want to add that in my observation it is not just the amount of time or experience that seems to determine how little of a pitch a realtor or any salesperson feels the need to make. It seems to be some level of confidence and lack of fear of lack. I don't know where they get it from, but some defintely have it. They can ask you the usual open house type of questions, without responding with any of the usual reasons why you need to buy. I know of two of such individuals in Coto, one of whom has been in the re biz for 25 years and the other who has only been selling for about five years. I don't know what the common denominator is, but I can tell you it is fun going to their open houses and bsing with them. If you say I am wierd for having fun by going to open houses; guilty.</p>

<p>Nude - I didn't think you were attacking me. I wanted to explain myself. I thought, maybe naively so, that it would help a few re salesfolk to hear just what the folks in here think of the talking points the salesfolks are given at their sales meetings. Maybe there is too much hostility in my posts, or maybe I am reflecting the hostility that many feel when treated like they are stupid. And quite honestly, writing in here the inanity, (Is that a word?), I hear on Sunday afternoons helps me to get very clear on what I want and what I don't want, whom I wish to deal with and whom I don't, what is fact and what is fiction, and how the salespeople of the world play on our emotions to receive a commission rather than help us find what we truly need.</p>
 
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