The indictment & enlightenment of our industry
A few weeks ago, the folks at 1000 Watt wrote a piece titled “Loosey Goosey,” which caught my attention. They highlighted the “microscopic scrutiny” our business practices are under. They wrote…
I’m not sure how we get out of this [legal tailspin]. Many brokerages have become less profitable and more lightly staffed in recent years, and cheaper, more arms-length alternatives have gained share. Some oversight and training has been picked up by teams, but not enough.
The legal jeopardy produced by this reality seems unending.
For a long time, this chaos-by-design actually protected the industry from disruption. How do you systematically change something that is intrinsically unsystematic, diffuse, irrational, personal, and cushioned by a fee model that numbs people to the pain of payment?
You don’t.
It took regulators and lawyers to do what entrepreneurs, MBAs, and venture capitalists could not do. They are real estate’s kryptonite.
The stupid %$#@ and the consequences it provokes aren’t going to go away unless we make them go away, and I suppose that’s the opportunity in all this. If you’re a serious agent, broker, brand or team leader, don’t play it loosey-goosey. Fight the stupid with the same intensity as the regulators and plaintiff’s attorneys do.
Become a leader of the industry we are being called to become.
So here’s my question: Are you a serious agent, broker, or team leader? What does that mean exactly? What’s it mean to you? Better question - who isn’t a serious agent? Will you police them with the intensity of regulators and plaintiff attorneys?
Will the folks at 1000 Watt? They did say, “We.”
Will I?
Uh - probably not.
I'm focused on doing good business alongside other serious professionals.
Before August 17th, we helped people change their lives in substantive ways - all within the previous rules set by regulators and lawmakers.
The same regulators and lawmakers who are mandating changes today.
But I digress…
I appreciate the sentiment from 1000 Watt and support an industry-wide exorcism on stupidity. My guess is the exodus of bad actors will take care of itself via natural selection. While this plays out, I can’t focus on the potential “unending legal jeopardy.”
If I did, my business would close.
Despite the deluge of new rhetoric from industry-adjacent experts, I won’t subscribe to real estate nihilism. I hope you don’t either - because that’s the real kryptonite.
However, I celebrate the call for leadership—especially with and for our clients. It’s what we serious agents keep trying to get back to…between form changes and threats of realtor jail. 1
I’m looking forward. I encourage you to do the same.
Work smart. Hire smart, and perhaps, in time, this indictment will lead to an elevated workforce and an enlightened view of our industry. Until then, stay serious, my friends.
Jail isn’t fun, and I never want to experience it…but can you imagine “realtor jail?” Fabulous feng shui, an impeccable color scheme, and great lighting. I mean, everyone would want to be on our cell block…