Agents abused as consumers hit out at wrong villain

Agents in the US are facing unreasonable demands and in some cases are being verbally abused as consumers take out their frustrations on them rather than focusing their ire on mortgage lenders who are crippling the market with the most restrictive lending practices in a generation.

Once the darlings of New York dinner parties, agents are now being treated as barely more than servants, receiving little thanks for their efforts, according to a report in the New York Times.

The harsh economic climate and tough credit markets have made buying and selling real estate more difficult and it is agents that are bearing the brunt of the frustration:

“I feel like the waitress where I get blamed for everything that happens,” said Chris A. Randolph, from agent, Barak Realty.

“They treat us like we’re starving and we need to do them all kinds of favors to possibly make some money,” said Michele Conte, a Corcoran Group broker who was recently agreed to help one former sell her apartment without a commission in the hope she would hire her.

Do my cleaning

Victoria Shtainer, from Prudential Douglas Elliman claims that one client recently asked her to arrive two hours early to clean the apartment before her appointment while another expects her to drive prospects around the area and give them a guided tour.

Anti-agent feeling

Meanwhile in Florida, several consumers have hit out at what they see as a generous realtor compensation package for the damages incurred by the CP oil spill.

One commenter, who has difficultly constructing a grammatically correct sentence, accuses realtors of being “scum” and “clueless”.

Don’t shoot the messenger

Although these comments provide just a snap shot of the market, it is obvious that the suffering and frustration caused by a 10% unemployment rate and 40% deposit requirements are taking their toll.

The irony is that, the vast majority of agents are working twice hard for half the money, trying to clear up a mess not of their own making.

Sometimes it is easier to take it out on those closest to you rather than looking for the real villain.

Source: Global edge

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