So today I got all of my paperwork done to finally make the switch back to RealtiCorp. I have been with Ulrich Realtors for 2.5 yrs now, but I was at RealtiCorp for 3 years before that. I have to admit that I am having mixed feelings on it. I really enjoyed working at Ulrich. I was never too involved with the company, but I made some good friends, enjoyed conversing with many of the other agents, and really looked up to a few of the hard working agents that were there. Now at the same time I have never wanted to be a robot realtor who is just go-go-go all of the time, but I have learned a few very solid things from my time at Ulrich.
There was a very old way of thinking at Ulrich. The company is comprised of many old school realtors who have been in the business, many young ambitious go-getter types, and the usual housewives with their licenses. I admire many of the hard workers at the company, but at the same time would never want their lives. Some of them work so much and devote all of their energy into work, they have became in my eyes like "robots". For example, while speaking to one individual at the company, it seems like I'm basically talking to joker. His smile is glaring at me even though nothing I'm saying is remotely comical, his responses are to the point, but in my eyes not genuine. I thoroughly enjoy my profession. I really and truly get a lot of personal satisfaction from being a facilitator in this important life decision that so many families and individuals make. But not at the sacrifice of my character or individuality. I want to be sincere in my actions, not portray that I'm sincere.
I've been in the profession for 5.5 yrs now and I still feel guilty or for a better word struggle with some of the difficulties that some of my clients have to deal with. Whether it be possible foreclosure, divorce, pending bankruptcy, or even just wanting a good deal, I try to take that into consideration every time and become a part of that. I hope that doesn't lead to my eventual demise in the industry, for becoming too involved. I think it is important to maintain my character and love for helping people rather than looking at every possible situation as just money. My broker at Ulrich really was an example of the type of realtor I really would never want to be. He is a fantastic realtor, sales tons of homes, and was once Realtor of the Year in the state of Utah. But he is also known amongst his peers and coworkers as greedy and deceiving. He was not honest with me on my own home.
I have never had this discussion with him, but I would wager that if I were to bring it up he would not think anything that transpired was dishonest in any way. Let me explain. When I moved my license over to Ulrich, I mainly did so for the opportunity of expanding my knowledge and inventory into the new construction market. I came to work on the Ryan Pool team. Now Ryan is not who I'm talking about. I have tremendous respect for him and will miss the few conversations we would have and the advice he would offer to me. But on my first week in the office, I was introduced to my broker. I was familiar with him cause his name is everywhere and I knew of a couple of the builders he represented and some of their new subdivisions. Well I approached him and introduced myself and asked him about an upcoming subdivision that Kehl homes was going to be building in Taylorsville. Brittney and I had driven through another of their subdivisions in West Valley and had considered buying a house there but ultimately wanted to live in T-Ville. So my broker sits down with me and we start talking about this subdivision. Well it all sounds good to me, and I want to be one of the first people in the subdivision cause I don't want to lose out on my pick of the lot and I'm going to be proposing to Brittney fairly soon, so we fill out a lot reservation and contract. I had already known what floorplan I was interested in because of the WVC subdivision. I think I was the 2nd person to fill out a purchase contract, cause I had my floorplan picked out. Others waited to pick their plan. Well this was a blessing because I locked in my price in August of 2005 right before the big boom in prices. So after signing all of the documents, I ask my broker about receiving a commission on my own house. He looks me square in the eye and says, Yeah I think we could work out giving you 2%. I was a little taken back by that as the standard buyers commission is usually 3%, but I thought to myself, maybe he's only getting 3% total, maybe 4% and splitting it with me. So I didn't bring it up again.
Well during the construction process, I found it easier to talk directly to the builder instead of third party through my broker. While being there I was waiting in the lobby talking to the secretary about random things. She asked me why I hadn't just came straight to them to build the house and why I went through my broker. So I said, "I thought he was the listing agent". Her response was to me, not on that subdivision. That subdivision would sale itself, and I could have circumvented him all together and got the full 6%...........What?...........That shiece of pit........if you know what I mean. He said, "I could work out giving you 2%", on my own damn house. On my own house. And.....I would have to pay my commission split to his company for THAT portion. What the hell? As a newlywed do you have any idea how much I really could have used that money? Furnish my new home, honeymoon, expensive ring, putting in a yard, etc. I was livid. I wanted to give that dude the piece of my mind that I have no problem offering. But I tried to be professional with it and not let it jeopardize my opportunity at the company. So I did not ever say anything.
Here was this multi-millionaire, deceiving me by not disclosing the full commissions paid, taking an extra 1% on my house, $2500 or so. Who could have used it more? Did that money really make even a dent in his wallet, or bank account? Would I have appreciated it any more than he did. You betcha, and I have never looked at that man the same. He can go ahead and preach to the whole company with his hypocritical 'holier-than-thou' fake religious B.S.. His time will come when he has to pay the piper, and deception is no different than straight up lying. His salvation will rest on his dealings with his fellow men, and in his clouded vision he doesn't realize the stain on his integrity will come back around. Its men like him that kept me from being an active member of the church in high school. I cannot stand fake, superficial, hypocrite's like him. I know I'm not perfect, but I sure as hell don't go around preaching to everyone about what they need to change in their lives or be like me.
Either way I'm excited to take what I have learned at Ulrich and applying that at RealtiCorp. I have missed my daily camaraderie with my friends at RealtiCorp and am excited to make more money per transaction. Actually get paid for what I'm worth. I already give too many discounts as is.
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