Dirty tricks, and money talks..

      Trying to sell a property, is an eye opener to say the least. It's a dog eat dog world out there, and believe me, they do just that. The agents from different companies, are like animals, snapping and snarling at each other's fingers, and feet. Well, you know, perhaps animals are not so bad. Ahhh, it all begins well enough, with lots of hope, and enthusiasm.

       I myself trained as a realtor, or a real estate agent, as they say in the antipodes, and the UK. I had experienced some bad tricks over the years when selling, and buying property. Eventually going into it, thinking I could do it right, be straight. I wanted to be reliable, and trustworthy. I wanted to be different. Well, the business did not change just because I went into it. It stayed stubbornly the same, with clients believing the one who told the biggest lies, with a straight face. How sad is that.

        What I  always did, as a client, was try a few  agents, and see which one sticks. It's a dreadful process, one I came to hate. Unfortunately, my foray into their ranks fared no better, but more of that later. When you walk into their lair, sorry...office, it's all very positive. You list your requirements, and off you go.

         Buying, is perhaps easier than selling. Someone else is paying their fees. As well as the fact they need buyers. The agents, you see immediately will sell at any cost. They have little, or no loyalty to their sellers, their vendors. The very ones they are supposed to be representing. No, they will also omit to tell you, any relevant information, if they think it will delay, or stop a sale. None of the faults of the property, or it's surroundings will reach your ears, unless you happen to ask the exact question they cannot avoid. They will certainly not volunteer any truths about the condition, or the problems of anything you view. It is a task where you must keep your wits about you.

          During my years of buying, and selling, I know that there is only a small degree of difference between them. So, we are talking 'en masse' here. Except for the odd one, or two, they are clones of each other. Smiling, and helpful on the outside, but scheming, and untruthful on the inside. Anything to make a buck. Who knows, perhaps that's the only way to beat the competition, but I deplore it.       

           Possibly, if I had always bought in the same area, or even the same country, I may have eventually found a trustworthy one. OK, Yes, let's be truthful here, I did find one, in New Zealand. Except even he, was disloyal to his seller. He was good to me, by giving me an indication of a lower price he thought the buyer would take. There was another agent though, also selling the same property. She told me, she knew the seller would take a big cut, a massive cut because he was desperate. I offered exactly his desperate bottom line, because my finances were tight too, and he took it. So, much for working for your seller, poor seller.

       The good one, I made a friend of. He was a friend for many, many years years. The trouble was he left real estate soon after. In that regard, lost to me. I have another excellent one right now, in the UK. Unfortunately, he is in rentals. Which is good luck for landlords. Because he is so 'on the ball', he is incredibly busy. The people who find him, are unable to believe their luck. To find an agent who knows his stuff, is honest and reliable, is rare. David Votta of Wards real estate, Ramsgate, England, you know you are the king of the bunch. Luckily so do I, a good friend in the making.

         I suppose real estate is a minefield because firstly, it involves what is at the basis of your life, your home. Secondly, it is something we borrow, or pay, the biggest amount of money for. What else requires such a large outlay, nothing! Thirdly, your emotions, being your home, for you, and your family are bound to be involved. It's also incredibly exhausting, trotting around various properties, dealing with appointments, and sellers. And knowing you can't afford to make a mistake of this magnitude.

          When I trained, one of the first things they told me, was 'you know that real estate agents are viewed as the scum of the earth.' Lower, than used car salesmen. Of course, we as newbies all laughed. But, couldn't disagree. Now, I am involved in trying to sell again, not in the UK. Nothing has changed. They say one thing, and do another. They tell all kinds of half truths in order to take the listing. They miss appointments, get the facts wrong, slow to list on the net, and are grinding no one through....yet. The worst of it is, without being able to find a good one, we know they will also tell buyers exactly our 'bottom line' price.

             Now, that really sucks! Am I supposed to lie as well? Probably. Can't help but try to do it right. I at least, have standards, even if many others don't.

           Helppppppppp Meeeeeeeeeeeeee, as a good friend of mine said recently.

           Soon hopefully...