ORRA Statistics About Lack of Professionalism in REALTORS®.

I spent this past Thursday at the Orlando Regional Realtors Associations (ORRA) attending a continuing education class taught by ORRA past President, Beverly Pindling.  She was very engaging and it’s clear why she’s a pillar in the Orlando Real Estate community.  Also, I might add that she is the first minority President of ORRA and I believe the first female minority president, too!  Beverly shared some very insightful and interesting information you may be surprised (or not) to read.

Let’s talk about consumer complaints against REALTORS®.

Of the 776 new cases received last year by the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), the governing body for REALTORS®, statistics show:

• 32 complaints dismissed after investigation.
• 101 letters of guidance issued.
• 93 cases found probable cause.
• 442 cases found no probable cause.

Many complaints had to do with behavior and lack of professionalism instead of law or ethics violations.  Statements taken directly from ethics complaints made to ORRA by consumers included those where the agent:

• could not be reached.
• wouldn’t return phone calls.
• never seemed to care about the problem.
• Did not address customers as Mr. and Mrs.
• Didn’t explain what that mean.
• Did not keep customer informed.
• waited two days to present an offer.
• showed up in a running suit.
• talked down to the customer.
• showed up late for every appointment.
• was rude about everything.
• wasted our time showing us houses that did not meet preferences.

Also, see the graphic below (be it a few years old) illustrating the trust factor of some of America’s professions provided by Forbes and Statista.  There may be a few that surprise you.

On a personal note, I’d like to add that exhibiting ethics, etiquette and professionalism is just as if not more important than anything else we do as REALTORS®.  Beverly would say:

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

And in taking it one step further follow the Platinum Rule by Dr. Tony Alessandra:

“Treat Others as they want to be treated.”

Maybe these are rules we should follow at all times personally and professionally?

One could argue why do you need a continuing education class  to remind you to be a good person professionally?  I feel confident that I, and countless other REALTORS®, do a good job by our clients and customers.  However, statistics show that improvement is needed industry-wide otherwise why would this certification be offered at all?  And the best way to lead and inspire change in others is by setting a consistent example one day at a time.  Keep in mind though that REALTORS® are people just like you, we do make honest mistakes and try our very best to service our customers how they should be served.

That being said…

I’m fortunate to associate myself with REALTORS® that in my humble opinion conduct themselves with ethics, etiquette and professionalism and are well-qualified to help you accomplish your home goals be it renting, buying, selling or investing.  They are my friends, including those at other brokerages, my neighbors and in my office at Coldwell Banker Southwest Orlando.  Our goal is quite simply to lower the statistics shared above.

Hope everyone has an absolutely fantastic weekend!!!

P.S. Yep… I’m Gold Key Certified for Excellence in Professionalism.  Thanks Beverly!!!