Real estate agents revamping ethics index and standards
The Governance Institute of Australia produces a comprehensive study and nationwide survey to reveal the most and least ethical occupations, organisations and sectors. It also checks the nation’s temperature on current ethical dilemmas and difficult questions. The 2022 Ethics Index report has seen the ethic index score drop overall, with real estate agent’s bad reputations ranking low again. Regrettably, a lot of people dislike real estate agents. They have either had bad experiences, know someone who has, or have seen negative media reports.
While real estate agents tend to have a bad rap and constantly attract negative headlines, quite often the hardworking, honest, and caring agents who strive to do the right thing by not only their clients, but communities as well, are overlooked. Many real estate agents are working to rewrite the ethics index and overturn the negativity that the industry seems to attract.
Watch the video, with Joanne Danckwardt of One Agency JD Property Agents, to remind yourself about some of the amazing work that a great percentage of real estate agents do, going above and beyond.
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With specialized knowledge and access to information and a connection to various services, good real estate agents have the potential to impact their communities in a very positive way. Being a respectful real estate agent means they have their finger on the pulse of the neighbourhoods where they sell. Some exception community service stories by real estate agents include:
Saving a tenant’s life
In Lismore, PRD Northern Rivers Principal Rob Horder, had his own battles to fight as flood waters gushed through his office, let along saving a tenant’s life. Taking a phone call from a community nurse, he learnt one of his tenants was unable to make his dialysis appointment due to floods. Rob put his own agenda aside, went around to pick the tenant up. He was put into a helicopter and taken to hospital for the lifesaving appointment all within half an hour of the tenant losing his life. What an awesome agent!
Pink tractor fundraising
In 2015, Mudgee real estate agent and auctioneer, Hugh Bateman, embarked on a pink tractor trek to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation Breast Cancer Care. Starting on October 9th for a little over three weeks, Hugh navigated his way around NSW, visiting other agencies and holding auctions and fundraising events. His goal was to raise $250,000 for the McGrath Foundation to assist with funding specialist Breast Care Nurses, but Hugh managed to surpass that goal, raising $382,000. A fantastic result for a worthy cause.
Act of kindness
With rental affordability being at the forefront of current economic times, Gold Coast Property Manager, Jamie Wernert, wondered how she could personally help one of her elderly tenants. When the landlord indicated they could no longer sustain the below market rent and Denis would have to move, Ms Wernert wanted to do something to help Denis, who lived on a tight pension. Establishing a GoFundMe page, she was able to raise over $47,000 for her pensioner tenant to find a new home along with reach out to other property managers to help find Denis a new home. The funds helped Denis to find a new rental and pay for his moving costs. A beautiful property manger who really does care for her tenants!
The list of these amazing deeds of real estate agents goes on and on… But in their day-to-day workings for selling real estate and managing investment properties, real estate agents do a long list of regular everyday activities to ensure they provide exception service and get the best results. Some of the acts include:
- Tidy, clean and freshen before an open home or newly leased property – both inside and out, including cleaning of the pool.
- Accept calls at every hour of the day and night, 7 days a week, to get deals done.
- Work 14-hour + days to ensure their sellers find that perfect one-in-a-million buyer.
- Play with children and keep them entertained while parents look around a house.
- Manage the emotional stress when helping sellers and buyers in their home selling and buying journey.
- Support local sporting teams, schools, communities, and businesses.
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We hope this article provides some balance for the next time you hear bad press about real estate and real estate agents. There are many good agents out there that help to counteract the negative reputation that the industry holds.
If you feel you could benefit from our experience with buying and selling, or our property management services, we’d love to hear from you. Simply reach out. We hope that has helped you today. If you have any questions, or you know of anyone who may benefit from our real estate services, we’d love to chat. Our number is 0426 264 771. We look forward to talking to you soon.
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