A Suggested Approach to Raising the Bar (#rtb) in Real Estate

It is always frustrating to have to work with an agent on the other side of a real estate transaction who doesn't seem to be doing a very good job, which of course makes your task of satisfying your client all the more difficult.

The next time you encounter an agent you deem less than stellar, try treating that agent as you would like to be treated.  If the agent happens to be new, act as if he is your kid brother who just lost his job and is doing what he can to care for his family.  Or perhaps the new agent reminds you of your newly divorced sister trying her hand at real estate as a second job in an attempt to pay college tuition for your niece.  Whether the agent is new or just not great, try your best to be collegial and genuinely helpful rather than patronizing or disdainful.  Most of the time this works like a charm and the agent improves their performance to meet your kind and professional treatment. (Continued below...)

Image from flickr.com WWVN

If this doesn't work, call the broker.  Explain calmly and professionally why this is an issue for your respective clients, the consumers involved in the transaction.  There is only one time in my career that I have been unable to obtain satisfaction after calling the broker.  

Simply griping about or disparaging other agents is...well...unprofessional in my eyes.