I read an interesting article recently that talked about real estate agents that really just do not get it. Many of their actions are self defeating to say the least. They spend a lot of unproductive time needlessly pursuing businesses that is totally counterproductive. They will list overpriced homes that they will never sell. These are so improperly price that no other seasoned agent will show, it will not appraise if they do get an offer. We cannot compensate in price when sellers are upside down. These agents will work short sales for months while the odds are probably 20-to-1 that it will never close or they may not get paid on. In the end they will be so stressed out with so little compensation they will find it is now their own life that is in a financial shamble. It is important to realize that we are not social workers, bankruptcy attorneys or miracle workers.
These agents have not sat back and taken a personal inventory of what they are doing, is it cost effective and will it pay the bills? I personally know of some agents that have listed over 15 homes and not one are under contract. In fact many have only have less than one sale to their name...yet boast they are experts or real estate consultants. They are playing real estate at the expense of others and do not have the ability to change their destructive obsessive compulsive behavior. As homes go unsold sellers have let the clock run out and are in a certain death overtimes...sellers are doomed to roll into foreclosure as the financial noose tightens around their neck. Where there was time to sell a home, all is lost if an agent is consumed with winning or buying the listing at any cost. It is more important to tell the sellers the truth and not sugar coat the facts so they alone will win the listing. It is the seller's money we are talking about here, not a dreamed about commission.
I've been in real estate for quite sometime and realize sometimes there are no easy answers. I have a conscience and tell sellers all the options even if it means I do not get the listing. For some sellers they come to the conclusion that it may be better to postpone the thought of selling a home until times improve. For others is is a hard pill to swallow when they realize that they are upside down. A visit to an attorney may provide more solutions. For marginal sellers with some equity - it is wise to prepare them for what they are up against. Paint, appearance and price may allow them to get out from underneath the mess they are in...because lies won't! "Honesty is always the best Policy!"
NAR Standard of Practice 1-3
-
REALTORS®, in attempting to secure a listing, shall not deliberately mislead the owner as to market value.
RE/MAX Paramount Properties 678-595-5283 Direct
Or 888-940-0074 Toll Free Office
Atlanta Real Estate Agents, Alpharetta GA Homes for Sale, Dunwoody GA Homes for Sale, Atlanta Real Estate & Atlanta Homes for Sale 
Atlanta Real Estate Blog, Cumming GA Homes 
Jim~ I find it very easy to tell sellers that if they do not have to sell now, that they should wait. Now is not the time to test the market. You are right, honesty is always the best policy!
Owensboro KY Real Estate Specialist Vickie McCartney, Broker, ABR (Home Realty GMAC Real Estate Owensboro Kentucky) Vicky, I feel exactly the same as you do. My appointment with them is an education process for all, not a contest to see if I can get the most listings. I believe in the "Golden Rule!" It is obvious that you and I are reading on the same page. It isn't a numbers game, there are lives involved.
I applaud you for your sense of consciense. With so many sellers on the edge of foreclosure, we owe it to them to give them the facts to make an informed decision and possibly keep them from further credit deterioration and personal stress. It's not about having a listing, it's about what we say we're going to do...get the house sold. We know what it takes to get a house sold.
Jim, well said. I've turned down several listings this year because the sellers are unrealistic and I refuse to list an overpriced house, but I know for a fact there are agents who will and in my case who did.
I don't know why any agent would want an overpriced, or unattractive listing in this market. And I haven't run across very many lately. In this market, we can't afford to waste our resources. How old was the data used for the basis of the article you read? It was probably from 3 years ago, and the article didn't specify.
Liz Schomers (Century 21 Town & Country,Birmingham, MI) Yes, and as an experienced agent, I also realize my limitations. There are homes I cannot just sell. The sellers do not have an endless supply of TARP money where they can bail themselves out. I have to know when to say "Yes I can" or "No, I am sorry. I cannot help you!"
Michelle Gibson Wellington Florida Real Estate (Hansen Real Estate Group) There are many times I am on a listing appointment, and I know the sellers have already talked to another agent. Their expectations are so out of line, that you cannot help but wonder what they were told by that agent. What I am concerned with is recent sales, and comps, and local area trends.
Lisa Hill (Daytona Beach Real Estate) (Adams Cameron and Company) The article was very recent. I think it was very timely. It reflects our market in Atlanta very well.
Thats one of our codes I've been thinking about lately. Especially when an agent says, " i have no comp's, they called and wanted to list it so I did." Of course the appraisal came in 45K below the list price. errrrrrrrrr
"It is more important to tell the sellers the truth and not sugar coat the facts so they alone will win the listing."
Indeed.
I think being "effective" is something that every agent needs to take a hard look at it with their business.
Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor- Realtor(R)- Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams-Ann Arbor) Missy, in this market more than once I have asked an agent how did you arrive at the listing price? Given a lack of recent sales and declining prices their price was off the charts. They will not appraise, the homes will not be shown, and there will be no sale...! So why is their for sale sign out there?
Mark MacKenzie Real Estate Planning Mark, there are many times I just thank the seller for inviting us into their home, and wish them well. I will not take their listing because I know they are totaly unrealistic.
Jim, It is amazing how many people "play" Realtor. I don't know how they stay in business - maybe they don't need the income. They certainly aren't producing, and, yes, they take the high priced listings that breed false hope and disappoint their Sellers. There is a reason why a few do most of the business in our industry, and most falter while acting the role. It is more like 10/90 than the Pareto 80/20 in our industry. We, too, turn down many listings, sometimes more than we take. If we can't do the job we don't need the listing, the expenses, and the resulting disappointed seller. Sometimes we'll see one listed high and it will sell where we advised them to list it. Oh, well, we did what we felt was right. If another agent is going to list high and then beat them up week after week for a price reduction then shame on them. They aren't thinking of their customer. The days of listing to see what happens are gone if they truly want to sell - it must be priced right these days, or it will be space filler in an ad.