The 'Guide Me Home to San Jose' Blog

I recently ran across a blog from someone claiming to have superior knowledge and to be educated in the ways of real estate agents who has the opinion that 90% of today’s agents are out of touch and not in tune with what current consumers are demanding. He of course personally knows the cream of the crop but they are in the minority and the rest are bad apples bringing shoddy service to consumers who deserve better. Well, consumers do deserve the best that’s for sure. We, however, have to disagree with that writer in regard to the professionalism, integrity and skill sets that the majority of agents possess, at least within the scope of our experience, which is considerable.

Education and training. Realty agents don’t always publish their educational credentials but within our sphere of colleagues, most are college educated, many with advanced degrees. Most experienced agents have earned designations for a variety of specializations. Most are involved in continuing education programs and classes.

Professional commitment. All agents with whom we do business are members of the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® which, in turn, makes them members of both the California Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®. While there are many benefits to both the agent and the public we believe that the adherence to a Code of Ethics is the most fundamental. Every Realtor must agree to uphold this very strict and specific code and are subject to sanctions when they do not.

Should anyone really care? Well, in a state where it seems you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a real estate agent you should. If you are going to entrust the details of making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life to a real estate agent you have to be using a Realtor. He or she is going to have training, experience, support and accountability. As for all those agents who choose not to adhere to these standards, who are merely looking for a paycheck, whose primary interests are their own, we wish the best of luck but we also have a feeling that they will be counted in the statistics quoted by the blogger above.

Posted By: Charlene & David Todd