Recently CBC’s Marketplace featured an episode on how some Real Estate Agents were operating in an unethical manner and steering clients away from properties for sale by owner or discount brokerages that have a lower rate of commission to ensure a bigger paycheck. I found it frustrating that the behaviour of some can give an industry a bad name, and trust me, I understand, it is not just real estate that this happens in.

There is a certain “sleazy used car salesman” vibe that is associated with a lot of sales jobs and when you are trying to be different and always put your clients first and help them find home, it can be discouraging to feel as if you need to spend time defending yourself and your need to be paid at the end of the day. I’ll be honest, there are people out there that are only in it for the dollar, I have already run across my fair share, and it us heartbreaking for me to be told by another agent that they actually hates doing this, or constantly hear “oh, you’ll get over that” when saying I love touring properties with clients, or even coming across situations when people don’t do their job properly and you pay for it in the end.

When we sign on to work in real estate, we agree to be bound by the Real Estate Act Rules, a 69-page document, that covers everything from our education and exam requirements to our responsibilities to our clients and fellow agents. The first time I read it I was surprised and honestly felt a little naïve that people wouldn’t automatically conduct themselves with integrity, now, it hurts my heart to watch how it is interpreted to the benefit of some.

I understand that our profession is seen a lot of times as high rollers in fancy cars and expensive clothes, and a fair amount of money can be made, but I know it can be made with integrity and care and putting the people we are serving at the centre of everything we do. As C.S. Lewis said, “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” I strive to do the right thing for those around me and appreciate being paid for the work that I do. For me it is remuneration for the late nights stressing over how to find your home when there are none available, the early mornings scouring the latest listings to see if perfect properties just popped up, the sleepless nights worrying that I have done the absolute best I possibly can for you, and the tears of frustration when things don’t happen the way you hoped they would.

Sometimes in life you come across situations that leave you feeling beat down and discouraged, it doesn’t mean you forgive and forget, but it does mean that you pull up your socks, guard yourself a little more closely and move on. Until next time… keep your chin up!