Dear Builder, Please Respect My Role
This post is in response to the home builders out there who flippantly try and cut real estate agents out of their hard-earned paychecks. Yes, this is being written in response to having to time and again fight for what is right in this business. And why on earth should we ever have fight for this?
We as real estate agents who are working tirelessly with our clients, don't work for free. There are many, many hours behind the scenes consulting, preparing, sending out market data, seeking the perfect home, and making appointments, that many do not see. When we make our job look effortless, it is only because of the immense amount of work behind the scenes that we are doing.
Today, I met a good friend of whom I had been consulting, sending properties to, and scheduled an entire day of homes to see. After arriving at the first home early on a Saturday morning with 8 more homes scheduled to see, I am informed they have cut a deal with a home builder who will only do the deal without the real estate agent.
I stand there dumbfounded and feeling in a quandary. Of course I want my friend to get a good deal but are they really? How will they know if they do not have their own representation? Who will provide the comparable properties to them among the many other things they need to know?
I am angry that builders continue to pull these stunts. Sure I could create a fuss and call the builder, show them, my buyers representation, to no avail. This builder clearly does not see the value in clients having their own professional to represent them.
Buyers, you need your own representation. The builder is looking out for his own needs. Don't accept this from them.
OK, I have this off of my chest. Please note that there are many great builders that I work with and would never do this. Thank you. This hopefully reaches those builders who are missing the big picture! When we all work together as a team, we all win.
Breathe, release, forge ahead!