One of the things that give our real estate profession a bad name is agents who are just too pushy.
Have you ever heard someone try to compare REALTORS® to used car salesmen? I have and it really got under my skin. That opinion came because of how unprofessional an agent was that they had interaction with. Now I have a potential client who has a low opinion of our profession. Thanks to a less than professional agent.
You hear of physicians making a hard sell for their services or any other top professional for that matter?
I feel that there are few reasons why an agent might be too pushy.
- They do not know their market or they do not offer superior service.
- Not very successful and are desperate.
- Inexperienced and not properly trained.
- Greedy
- Lacking social skills or class.
- They may just be in the wrong line of work.
The good news is that they are a tiny minority of those in our profession. Hopefully they will get better trained or move on to a more appropriate line of work.
For the public:
If you run into an agent who is far too pushy, that should be a red flag for you. A professional will never try to push you into a decision you are not comfortable with. Their job is to provide you enough information so you can make the proper informed decision.
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Randy L. Prothero, REALTOR®, ABR, AHWD, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR
Century 21 Liberty Homes
Randy Prothero is well established as an expert in working with military / VA clients and first time home buyers. His home seller's (listing) campaign is one of the most aggressive marketing programs in the area.
Based out of Mililani, Hawaii. Randy services the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and the Leeward Regional Chairman of the Honolulu Board of Realtors. To improve overall professionalism in his area Randy also offers classes for real estate agents.
www.HawaiiRandy.com * Oahu (Honolulu County) Property Search * Hawaii Military Relocations


I think you will find that the pushy agents do not stand the test of time, perhaps that is where all the car salesmen came from. They are, thankfully, not the majority. Another reason could be because of their insecurity.
Dottie
TOTOH, that potential client just may not like anyone and is using the "I don't trust pushy", to gain a benefit by putting others on the defensive. I've met folks like that. They announce proudly at first meeting that "they don't trust . . . . ".
That can be a personality trait and not necessarily reflective of their true experience.
Don't you just love it when the contrarian visits???
Marlene - I am glad to see many of them leaving.
I was talking to a parent at the chess club who described an extremely pushy agent she encountered. It rang familiar with me. From her story, I guessed who the agent was. I am grateful that there are not many like her.
Dottie - Some are insecure. Others just are rotten.
Tom - I have had to stop other agents and let them know my clients already had an agent. Some are either clueless or just don't care.
Roland - You will in most cases. The one thing I can be sure of is that you will not build a referral business.
Sally - Most won't be around long.
Bob F. - It would be cool if we could require they wear a red flag. Oh well back to the real world.
Tom & Darcy - Thank you
Jesse & Kathy - I am careful about pushing people. They have to make the payments and they have to live there, not us. If that is not the perfect home for them, I will keep looking until we find it.
Jennifer - I am like you, hate pushy agents. I try not to be like them.
Charles - Too bad it can't be required to have a disclaimer in their advertising that they are pushy agents.
Sandra - Sometimes they help you, like in your case. If you continue to conduct yourself in a professional manner the clients will see the difference.
Neal - As long as we conduct ourselves as professionals at all times, those who know will never give us negative labels. Unfortunately the bad agents give the industry a broad brush rep that we constantly have to overcome.
Commission breath.... donut salesman.... haha.
This is a great topic and I hope lots of consumers see your post.
George - You are right. The few that succumb to the pressure tactics will be in the high percentage of those with issues and complaints.
Marc - We all know a few of them and hope we will not be on the other side of a transaction with them.
Georgina - Consumers need a kit with tips about finding a good agent. I liked commission breath too. :)
Randy, your post is right on.
Pushy salespeople telegraph one message, 'what I want, is more important than what you need.' I will walk right out of a store if a pushy salesperson will not leave me alone.
Leesa - Many will fade away. I am sure they will be replaced by others like them.
Laurie - I am with you on that. I hate pushy salespeople at any business.
Hi Randy,
Ditto on Marlene's commission breath comment, we used that term in our coaching group. Consumers can spot it every time!
Lynda - I like that one.
Gary - They do create job security for those who do it right.
Cameron - Even after having to sell cars to pay their bills they still don't get it. How pathetic.
Randy - a timely piece here, and unfortunately we find this type of agent fairly often. Some are that way even with other agents, say at broker opens. It drives me nuts and automatically my defenses are up, as it does with pushy sale folks in any business. I don't think most people are fooled by this nor convinced to buy but it certainly is annoying. I have to buy a new car, or lease on ein teh next 2 weeks and the thought of it makes me cringe.
Jeff
Jeff - I feel your pain. Buying a car has been pleasant for me until the next one. My car salesman was one of my clients, who made it quick and painless. He is no longer with the dealership, so I will be thrown to the wolves. Yikes!
Gail - That is a great approach. I spent many years selling supplies and machinery and that was my approach. Since getting back in real estate a few years ago, I kept that approach. It works well when clients do not feel they need to be defensive around you.
Great Post Randy. This comes from a car salesman that quit and became a realtor. Oh, I know what you all are thinking but I wasn't pushy when I was a car salesman. The general manager tried very hard to convert me to one but, I told him as soon as my sales drop below the top 5 out of 20 salespeople I would change my ways. The process does not have to be that way and I am a firm believer in listening more than I talk.
Of course that dosen't mean that you don't ask for the sale, there is a time to say "gosh you say you really love this home. Why don't you put an offer in". I think that its all on how you read your customers. I truly believe that there is some buyers and sellers out their that wouldn't do anything until you ask for a signature. Have you ever been showing property and came across a home or land that meets all of your customers needs and they still have bad comments about something that is wrong with it. After the 10th property that you have shown them. That starts getting old real fast and you start wondering if you have a real buyer.
I always ask my customers or clients this question before we start looking for a property: "If I find the property you are looking for are you prepare to put a offer in?". You find so many things out when you ask that question. We all know what to do when they say yes but, what do you say if they say no? If they say yes, are they lying to you. If I don't try to see where they are at, I might just be a tour guide for a day or two. I live in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains with vacation homes and second homes, and let me tell you it has happen to me more times than I can count. Randy, I bet you know what I am talking about selling in Hawaii. Have you ever heard this: Buyers are liars and Sellers are yellers? Is there a fine line between being a good salesman and being to pushy? That is a big question that all of us have to think about. So think about it right now people! Boy am I pushy or what?
Make It a Great Day!
Randy.... basically the underlining reason in my opinion, why people push is because they are greedy, but more so, desperate. They need a sale. And this is a big read flag. One of the best compliments that I can get is when I ask someone why they chose me... and their answer is not only am I knowledgeable and helpful, but because I wasn't pushy or sounded like a sales person. Good post.... awareness to the general public.