Will Property-Bee be the end of lying Estate Agents?

Estate_Agent

To those who have read my previous threads you'll know that I haven't even finished my third month as an EA yet.

I'm trying to be as good an agent as possible and really want to make a difference to both the buyer and seller. Having read other threads I discovered property-bee and think it's brilliant (reminds me of property snake for those who are a little older).

As an EA its great because it lets me know far more about a property. This worked really well last night when we took on a property that is already on with another agent and I knew the propertys marketing history. It scored me extra brownie points when I let the vendors know that their current ageny had dropped the asking price without asking them!

Showing my boss how Property-Bee works his initial reaction wasn't great. His concerns are that we now need to be even more careful what is said to a buyer. I'm not for the moment suggesting he tells fibs, and I'm actually reasonably impressed with the service he offers. As a result I now need to brief the other agents on Property-Bee and honesty.

But will it be the end to the idea that ES's are all liars - and I know we're not all liars - or will it make no difference?

new_home_owner_3

No they will always lie......:p

Running_Horse

If it bothers you that much, find another job.

I'm not interested in your guilty conscience.

tootsmyboots

From what I can see agents must have worked round it, as round here they just take the property off RM before dropping the price, then do it as a new listing. You hardly ever see drops in my area now, unless you know the property was on before and at what price.

ILW

Estate_Agent wrote: »

To those who have read my previous threads you'll know that I haven't even finished my third month as an EA yet.

I'm trying to be as good an agent as possible and really want to make a difference to both the buyer and seller. Having read other threads I discovered property-bee and think it's brilliant (reminds me of property snake for those who are a little older).

But will it be the end to the idea that ES's are all liars - and I know we're not all liars - or will it make no difference?

Your client (the person that is paying you) is the seller. You have no duty to the buyer beyond what is legal.

Estate_Agent

Running_Horse wrote: »

If it bothers you that much, find another job.

I'm not interested in your guilty conscience.

It's not that I'm bothered and I don't have a guilty conscience simply because I believe that honesty is the best policy. But that's just me.

Estate_Agent

ILW wrote: »

Your client (the person that is paying you) is the seller. You have no duty to the buyer beyond what is legal.

I appreciate that the seller is my client. I understand what you are saying in regards to the buyer, but I personally believe that if you can offer both sides a service everybody wins. If I have people who are happy to buy through me and trust me to sell them a house surely that can only be a positive?

But will property-bee lead to other agents taking this view and becoming more honest?

wymondham

What made you become an estate agent ?

Running_Horse

If you're not bothered and don't have a guilty conscience, then spare us the asinine soul searching and go and earn your living. Quiet day at the office?

Jazzie99

tootsmyboots wrote: »

From what I can see agents must have worked round it, as round here they just take the property off RM before dropping the price, then do it as a new listing. You hardly ever see drops in my area now, unless you know the property was on before and at what price.

Tootsmyboots is right. My neighbours house was on for £275k, then £250 and now on for £280k.... property bee doesnt show the £250k price. Its not reliable anymore.

Estate_Agent

wymondham wrote: »

What made you become an estate agent ?

I was a mortgage broker pre crash. I got out just before the run on Northern Rock because I felt that things weren't right. I found myself having discussions with clients that revolved arounnd what they could afford not what could I get them. I was seeing too many people using their house as a blank chequebook and felt uncomfortable with what I could see on the horizon.

Between the crash and the end of last year I owned a business with a friend. I closed it when he announced his impending IVA and desire to empty the business account and put the money under his mattress.

I am very much the second income earner in my house. I needed to do something other than sitting on the sofa bored or getting a stupidly mundane job. Estate Agency feels right. I like and understand property. I like people. I like providing a service. I like working hard. I didn't come into this for one moment dreaming of flashy cars, flashier suits and megabucks. I realise that I don't know everything and never will do, but believe that if I'm a decent guy and aim to provide a service to both parties eventually my shop will be first choice in the area. I get a kick out of seeing a business improve and providing a service that is better than anybody elses locally. I'm not there yet as an EA, but hopefully one day I will be. I very much believe in the principle of treating others as you would like to be treated.

Perhaps my ambitions are too lofty. Perhaps it goes against the grain of Estate Agency. I've had a lot of experience with other agents before becoming one myself and think I can make a difference. There are other agents who post on MSE who seem to believe some of what I believe, so I know I'm not in a minority of one.

But we're going off topic. Do people think Property-Bee will make a difference?