Real Estate Work Is No Walk In The Park

Source : TODAY, Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Letter from K SUDHAKARAN

I READ with interest the barrage of letters against real estate agents (“Rein in unscrupulous agents”, Sept 10). Such views just represent one side of the story.

Housing is a basic need and a very emotional issue, especially in this active property market. Given that an agent’s task is to manage the expectations and the needs of the owner/landlord and buyer/tenant, there will always be parties who feel aggrieved when decisions do not go their way.

But let us not forget that the real estate agent’s authority to act by a real estate agent comes from the landlord/owner or tenant/ buyer and often, an agent is only a messenger of a decision made by the person he is acting for.

A real estate agent is also faced with indecisive and difficult sellers or buyers who can be more transparent about their needs or be genuine about their intentions. So don’t always shoot the messenger.

This is not to suggest that there are no errant agents.

Some agents may devise unlawful or morally incorrect methods to improve their commission. The transacting parties must therefore confront such agents and complain to the relevant authorities.

But then again, is there a perfect market for any business? From the hawker to the banker, there will always be persons acting outside accepted boundaries.

The reality is that the real estate business is not a stroll in the park.

Real estate work often involves time, costs and loads of disappointment that buyers or sellers venturing out on their own are unable to grapple with.

A real estate agent is able to take this load of your mind for a fee. This is business.