I have to agree with Eric about what makes ME respect someone. We have a local agent who throws around her years in the business, closely followed by her "multi-million dollar club" standing for every year. It doesn't impress me. She had to retake the broker's class for some rule infraction, coincidently with one of our new brokers, and she didn't pass. She repeatedly told the instructor how long she had been in the business and told him he knew nothing about the way real estate works. The deals I have had with her have been nightmares, and we have to double check every detail to make sure she isn't trying to screw someone over.... No, "time served" doesn't make me respect anyone, anymore than money earned. It's a matter of honesty, fair-dealings, good business practices, etc- you know- the way we are SUPPOSED to do business.

I think the bottom line here is that we can expect the same ratio of morons, incompetents, sleaze bags and just plain lazy boneheads in this business as we see in any other.

It is less a discussion of "Our Industry" and more a discussion of human nature.

There comes a time when you have to find peace with this kind of stuff. For a period of time, I had the mind set that it was my client and I against my industry. I had to protect them from all the other nasty real estate people. It worked for a while, but maintaining the internal "avenging agent" attitude can be tiresome and often counter-productive.

I guess you could say I have mellowed a bit (aside from my occasional moments of frustration - which many of you have seen). I try to take it with a smile and a nod instead of running for my armor and shield.

I still keep the sword sharp tho... just in case.

R

Years in the business doesn't necessarily coincide with knowledge. I know 2 realtors who have been in busines for over 2 decades and are dumber than a box of rocks.