Realtors fail to make top 10
Recently we heard from a client who was once a real estate agent. He shared how disappointed he was, after getting his license, to learn that real estate agents were among the least trusted professions - right below car salesmen and lawyers he said. We all know that those professions are the butt of many jokes and often, the topic of elaborate stories of wrongdoing. One has to wonder, if they are so bad, why are there so many making a decent, if not good living?
One could argue that they continue to thrive due to necessity only. Everyone needs a car and at some point, nearly everyone needs a lawyer. No doubt, these folks are, in large, hard working honest individuals who are victimized through no fault of their own but punished for the mis-deeds of a minority in their profession. Few of us have not experienced the backlash that comes from an emotional decision that led to the purchase of the wrong vehicle, so there is plenty of fodder for bad raps against car sales people.
By that same token, many have been on the losing side of litigation and blame their attorney for not getting them out of the trouble they got themselves into. It is always easier to blame the person hired to help you out of a tenuous situation, when your penance cannot be avoided, no matter how much money you throw at it. Often, the errant party is punished anyway but the lawyer gets the blame. Right, like water, seems to find its own way.
Anyway, after pondering the comments of the aforementioned client, we decided to undertake a little research. The Internet made that a quick exercise and frankly, we were surprised that Realtors were not on any "Top 10" list we found in our cursory research. Several lists were reviewed and found to be consistent in their rankings although we have not determined their true origin.
Consistently on those lists were the usual suspects and some surprising inclusions. Here is the list:
No. 10 - Police officers. Really? This may not be as unlikely as first thought when we consider some of our country's larger metropolitan areas where crime among law enforcement has been well published.
No. 9 - Journalist. Again a surprise although in recent history there have been several scandals with well-known journalists creating their own news rather than reporting the boring reality of the facts.
No. 8 - Celebrities. No commentary should be needed.
No. 7 - Handymen. Although we are not sure the term is politically correct, it seems that many have been overcharged, have not received services paid for or have been otherwise pilfered by some folks in this occupation.
No. 6 - Agent or Manager. No, not real estate agent. In addition to celebrities it appears their managers enjoy a low level of trust.
No. 5 - Telemarketers. With caller ID and the "Do Not Call" list you would think this mention obsolete. Although these features have made some difference we all know they have done little to stop the intrusions from these folks.
No. 4 - Lawyer. Everyone needs someone to blame.
No. 3 - Mechanic. Who hasn't experienced some trepidation when dealing with a mechanic? Trying to emulate the same sound your vehicle is making to help them zero in on a problem is daunting enough, let alone the knowledge needed to determine whether or not the recommended repairs are truly necessary.
No. 2 - Politician. Does former Senator Weiner justify this? Probably not all by himself. Richard Nixon played a large part.
No. 1 - (Drum roll please) Used Car Salesman. The oft vilified and ever beleaguered purveyor of personal transportation.
We Realtors are grateful for many things and not being on this list is not the least of them.
Trust an expert...call a Realtor. Call your Realtor or visit www.cdarealtors.com to search properties on the Multiple Listing Service or to find a Realtor member who will represent your best interests.
Kim Cooper is a real estate broker and the spokesman for the Coeur d'Alene Association of Realtors. Kim and the association invite your feedback and input for this column. You may contact them by writing to the Coeur d'Alene Association of Realtors, 409 W. Neider, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815 or by calling (208) 667-0664.