It's actually something that has been bothing me for a while now. While on the whole AR is dedicated to fostering commeraderie, helping share information and expand our knowledge and business skills, every once in a while I run across comments that make me cringe. Does everyone pay attention to what they write? Do they know who may be watching? Comments that I've seen in AR posts or commentary sometimes contain little phrases like, "Realtors (Agents) don't work", "Don't expect Realtors (Agents) to help, they are only out for themselves" - mind you I'm paraphrasing to protect the innocent (or guilty). Then there are the derogatory comments about certain designations or lack thereof.
I'm just shocked and amazed at these comments. I often wonder if the person who makes them is working in our chosen profession, or if they are floundering around unhappy with the number of jobs they are getting. For me, Agents are my best friends, both on the job and off. I rarely get a job without the agent having done most of the leg-work for me (after I've spent time educating them on the value of my services). GOOD agents are extremely hard working. I know, I was the manager of a real estate office. The bad ones go away quickly... they can't earn a living. Sure, some are better than others, but on a whole, if they've called you - they are probably one of the better ones!
As Craig pointed out in his fiery post today Was Barb Schwartz the "Inventor" of Staging? words can be significantly powerful. It was also shown in bitter reality for Don Imus this week. You simply never know who is paying attention. Before you make these comments, remember, there may be an agent, a client, or a fellow stager who may no longer consider you the cat's meow or a viable business partner. It may not just be venting, blogging or sarcastic spin ... it may be your income and your reputation you are harming.....
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Melissa Marro, a published artist, now turned staging advocate and national speaker speaks her mind about real estate and the home staging industry. In her 'no holds barred' approach, audience members find real answers to the industries pitfalls and learn how to overcome them with tried and true information and guidance. With marketing as her passion, she turned a small home based business into one of the nation's largest home staging and training facilities. Selling her successful home staging company in January 2012, Marro is now a full time speaker and instructor for Staging And Resign and Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)'s trade events.
For more information on having Marro speak at one of your real estate functions, please contact her at 843.619.1593 or email at marro.melissa@gmail.com
Hi Melissa, I think people tend to speak in generalities. We all know realtors who are our best business getters. I think the mentality comes from being burned by the very people who we need to get us our clients. I myself am guilty of realtor bashing, but I think for all of us its out of frustration. How many times do we have to market ourselves before we can get them to listen to our message? We're all trying to help them and their clients, and sometimes it just seems that they don't seem to care one way or the other. My personal experience with realtors as a buyer and seller.......well lets not go there. I think AR is a forum for us to share information as well as vent. As in any other community, not everyone is going to get along. We either can feel free to speak or we can feel like our speech is being stifled. I would rather not comment if I think I can't say whats on my mind.
Terry Haugen - STAGE it RIGHT!
Like I always say I have to answer to a higher authority..we always need to watch what we are saying
Phylis Pafumi
Hi Melissa - "If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing". Sometimes we all need to consider this old addage. Once one starts bashing others, they lose credibility, not only as a professional but as a decent human being!
One other note, sometimes in this cyber community (and others), things can be misinterpreted by the reader. Something may be written innocently, however, the reader processes it in a different way. A computer screen can not always convey the emotion and intentions of the writer.
While I believe that we have the opportunity to 'vent' and have controversial discussions in AR I simply feel that the way we express that needs to sometimes be carefully worded so as not to offend others who are here. Remember, these are not just our friends and collegues, but they are also our clients.
I am a strong supporter in freedom of speach and believe you have the right to say whatever you like, but also be aware that it may have unexpected or sometimes even unknown consequences.
Even criticism can be worded in a gentle way! Caution is the key.
All it takes is one person to wake up on the wrong side of the bed and before you know it, you have alot of others doing the same thing.
Negative attracts Negative.
Positive attracts Positive.
Melissa,
YOU ARE SO RIGHT! it isn't just about WHAT we write as a POST, but also beware of how we COMMENT on a blog! Sometimes we might get too comfortable in our own skin or forget that these groups can be seen by all! If you need to 'vent' or 'rage', hang in there - AR is working on a secure site for us in which to do that! BUT FOR NOW, "mind your p's and q's"!!!
VAL