In Defense of Realtors®

It appears that this morning, I’m in Op-Ed mode as I’ve written a piece for the Orlando Sentinel and am sharing this one in response to an op-ed that was played out on the CBS Sunday Morning Show yesterday, June 22, 2008. Watch the video to better understand my letter to the editor below:

CBS Sunday Morning - Defending Public Relations

Wow!! I was originally incensed by Gil Schwartz’, aka Stanly Bing’s, rebuttal of Andrew Cohen’s op ed piece. His list of ‘liars’ amazed me when he threw in Realtors® in the #1 position. How dare he!?!

Yes, as with any industry, we have our black sheep. But, as a Realtor® and a member of NAR (the National Association of Realtors®), we also have a very strict and comprehensive Code of Ethics which must be followed. And is followed by the majority in this industry. It forces us to be accountable for our actions. The public relations industry does not have any such accountability.

Yes, the PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) also has a Code of Ethics, but the Preamble simply states, that the “Emphasis on enforcement of the Code has been eliminated.” Yep, I see accountability here!

So, how can he describe Realtors® as in the #1 group of “really big prevaricators”?

And lets look at the public relations industry. Hmmm, lobbyists – oh no you won’t find any prevaricators there, will you? Mr. Schwartz was talking about ‘hacks.’ How about Spin Doctors? Oh yes, they only selectively present information to support their position. I guess since it’s only a partial truth, that is alright because they didn’t lie. Didn’t tell the whole truth either, but hey – that’s OK!

As a public relations person, I think you should think more clearly before you speak, Mr Schwartz. You are representing your industry just as I, as a Realtor®, am representing mine.

Marc Grossman

Apopka, FL

June 23, 2008 |

Comments

8 Comments so far

trysh, Crafting June 23, 2008 4:18 pm
Well, you certainly spoke your mind - and I hope the guy was listening - but probably not…he’s probably out thinking up his next half-truth.
Yay on you for standing up for your profession - and for the standards with teeth!
Birdie June 23, 2008 11:49 pm
wow. I for one love our Realtor! He’s like our hero. Way to speak your mind there Mr Grossman!
mgrossfl, Real Estate June 24, 2008 3:49 pm
trysh - Thank you very much. I doubt if he would even understand it. I hope that they at least read it and I’m was also hoping that many others would write in as well.

Birdie - Thank you and I’m so glad that you love your Realtor. That makes me so happy for all of you.
Crystal L. Cox July 10, 2008 7:40 pm
Selling a Home, you Need to Know How Real Estate Brokers are Hurting You. http://www.SavvyBroker.com - the Confessions of a Realtor, your Real Estate Industry Whistleblower.
Quirkee James July 11, 2008 9:45 am
Crystal, that link you provided had to be the longest Home page of “subscribe to my blog” blah blah blah I have ever read. Instead of spamming this comment box why not leave a valuable comment behind instead?

Oh, and this line on your Home page…

“This Blog May Just Save Your Life.”

If I could insert a :rolleyes: emoticon here I would.
—

I think Realtors provide a valuable service to those who have no clue how to buy or sell their house. There is a lot of time and paperwork involved. Do I think some real estate commissions are too high? Yes. And I’m a former real estate agent myself. But those standard 6% commissions can be lowered through negotiation, having a Realtor friend sell your house for less commission, or going with one of the new 1% Realty companies that may offer less service but can save you money.

Are there dirtbags in the real estate business? Of course, just like with anther other sales oriented business there will be unscrupulous people trying to take advantage to make $$$. Educate yourself on the company you choose to go with, interview a few agents first, or get referrals from friends who had good experiences with their agents. If we all did these things from the beginning then the dirtbags would not make any money and leave the industry.
Crystal L. Cox July 13, 2008 7:12 pm
In Defense of Me, My Blog can save your life, I will show folks what lies to look for and how not by homes with latent defaults so bad that beams crash in on them, and mold so bad that their kids get deathly ill, so you go ahead and “Eye Roll” I know the truth about the real estate industry and its time to Tell All, keep rolling your eyes, this stuff is VERY true.

It is mor than “dirtbags” in real estate as you say, it is E and O insurance that WILL NOT protect my consumers, it is Sellers and Realtors that lie and do not have accountability, the laws are their for the consumer but cannot seem to be enforced, you seem to be clueless and a tad bit naive as to what really goes on in the real estate industry.

It does not matter if you “educate yourself” on what Realtor to use, the system has failed the consumer, it is a fact, and just because some folks “love their Realtor” does not mean that the system is not a total failure to the real estate consumer because it is.

The Industry is set up to protect the “dirt bags” and honest Realtors cannot protect their clients in a system that is seriously broken. It is a FACT.

Ethics are not law and cannot be enforced, a self regulated industry such as the Realtors Association is NOT good for the Real Estate Consumer, Period.
Crystal L. Cox
Broker Owner
Ten Lakes Realty
Crystal L. Cox July 13, 2008 7:16 pm
P.S. The Majority of Realtor in NO WAY follow the Ethics, that is Simply NOT true. And I am sorry but Realtor have NO REAL accountability, that statement is just not true, I have seen situation where the buyer proved, flat out that the Realtor lied about a latent defect and there was NO SYSTEM in place for accountability, you can try, but the Realtors E and O insurance will fight the Real Estate Consumer all the Way and the Consumer will LOSE !!!
Crystal L. Cox July 13, 2008 8:41 pm
Quirkee James Has not been a Realtor - Broker Owner and Does not know what I know that could INDEED save a consumers Life. So “eyeroll” is VERY unneccesary, I do Get it and I really do know how bad and how broken the real estate industry is. Use your intuition folks, something is wrong and you know it.