Having been a part of this industry since 1996, I can emphatically state that agents who are good at communicating with their colleagues and clients are much more likely to succeed than those who struggle in this arena. 
If you have trouble spelling, putting together a sentence properly, or speaking clearly and intelligibly, real estate will present a serious challenge. This career requires nuanced and layered communications, with many "moving parts" to keep track of throughout the average transaction.
Presently, I am in full-on hiring mode, having spoken with a handful of prospective agents over the past week or two. I would consider myself to relatively picky when it comes to selecting agents, especially considering the liabilities associated with running a brokerage. I evaluate phone manner as well as writing skills when I'm deciding whether to bring someone to the office for an interview.
Sadly, I sometimes get emails that make it an easy decision not to interview. As an example, here's a (very slightly modified) email that I received recently:
my name is (xxx xxxxx) im very familiar with real estate laws but i dont have my licence. rite now i work for somebody that buys houses for cheap and sell them for 4times the value. im very familiar with the austin area i have alot of contacts over there. I live in xxxxxx rite now but traveling is not a problem. im intrested in working for you and maybe getting my licence in the process. my phone number is xxxxxxxxxx
I promise you that I'm not making this one up. I think I counted 12 spelling and grammatical errors in this short, six-sentence message. I'm not publicizing this email to make fun of the applicant, but to illustrate how important it is to be able to write well.
This next part might cause a bit of controversy, but it's the truth. I've encountered a handful of licensed agents during my career that don't fare a whole lot better than the person above. One of the reasons that it's difficult for the real estate industry to gain a lot of respect is because the bar is really quite low with regard to our educational and licensing requirements, at least in Texas (which is actually more stringent than it used to be). I have a feeling that most states are in a similar boat.
I do wish that the barriers to entry were set higher in our business, even if it means that I wouldn't be grandfathered in, and I had to take additional classes. I fully realize that I'm in the minority on this opinion. :)
Anyway, I just wanted to provide a bit of food for thought. If nothing else, maybe I can inspire someone new to use spellcheck.
Thanks for reading!
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rakka_pl/2332343583/
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Hi Jason...It's important to have these skills in real estate and in life itself. I am very concerned about the number of young people that lack basic communication skills. It may not be the best way to judge a person's worth but we certainly do.
Kate
Jason, you are what you write and see. If we can't spell or communicate, how will we relate to our clients. I'd have problems hiring someone that couldn't spell......or didn't care to proof read their emails.
I agree with Kate. In hiriing a person, you need to make sure they will represent you in the best manner.
I know it's not good to judge people, but I have to agree that sloppy spelling and grammar really shines a bad light on them, especially in a profession where each word can carry a lot of weight.
Jason...
I don't think it's controversial at all. I think that standards should be raised for real estate licensees too!
Jason,
I often have to admit to many of my clients or prospective clients as we talk (once they have been exposed to other agents) that it does not take much to get your license. You know fog a mirror and pass the test. But, it takes much more to become a member of my firm. I am extremely picky.
If the test does not set the bar high enough, it is up to the brokers to raise it. Responsible brokers are in a position to change the perception of this industry.
Hi Jason... there should be barriers to entry and barriers to continue being a licensed agent. And there is nothing wrong with raising the bar for BOTH categories!
Gotcha.....Yu-bectcha. Just kidding. It's as critical as ever! Good words J. Without it, I really feel, why bother. I nag my kids on communication like my mom did with me! I'm glad she did!!!!!
Jason,
Among those who are big texters, I see carelessness in other writing. Just can't imagine doing that, especially if inquiring about a business opportunity. I too would pass...
Jason,
Not sure if I can post a comment on this one. I am a bad speller. (No I watch myself and totally agree. Especially when looking for new talent.)
Jason-I don't think we can judge a person on their writing skills alone. If English is not their native language they may not have have all of the punctation and spelling correct but they might have the drive to learn AND be great agents.
Cindy - You're probably right, but the person that I mentioned in the post doesn't have that particular excuse. I think he/she is simply not very well-educated. Even if it were a non-native English speaker, there's a threshold below which I think it makes it hard to even understand and communicate well.
I totally agree with your last two blogs. Thanks for putting it out there in print. We need to hold ourselves to a higher standard.
Jason- I think we've lowered the bar in many areas... just turn on the local news and listen to some of the reporters.
Good morning my friend,
I completely agree with needing additional requirements to get into the business. Like you I would not be grandfathered thorugh in the process. I have often wondered why we in my state do not have seperate CE classes for Brokers. There is an added responsibility to the title and should be stressed.
By the way, would I be a candidate for a position with your company based on my lack of writing skills?
Thanks for reminding us, Jason. I am guilty of rushing and not proofing. We sometimes forget that the internet is out there forever, unlike emails.
Jason...I agree with the low bar on educatin to get into this profession I believe taht is why we have some image problems!
Jason: Kudos to you for this post. Raised by an English teacher and a former news reporter --- trained to the standards of the Associated Press --- I'm amazed and dismayed at the poor communications of so many in real estate. Poor grammar and vocabulary skills seem to be the norm rather than the exception among the majority of real estate pros. My standards are pretty high and I am not one to blast people for their weaknesses. However, competent communications skills should be a no-brainer for new hires. Good luck with your search!
I find it amazing how many brokers will hire an agent like that. I think hiring a person that cannot communicate well in person or on paper is just a liability waiting to happen. I can only imagine how thorough this person's real estate contracts look.
Ourt Real Estate Board has recently made it more difficult to pass the licensing course here, but up until the changes, the requirements were not very stringent.
I totally agree with you on all points. Everyone should take the time to proofread their writing and think before they speak. It makes me crazy when I see commonly used words spelled incorrectly. I am all for setting higher standards to become an agent and feel that the current requirements are ridiculous. Raising the requirements would improve how Realtors are perceived by the public. Currently we are just above lawyers.
Jason, FL has gotten very tough. It is very difficult to pass the Brokers test, my partner is taking the FL Brokers at this moment for the thrid time. He passed it immediately in NJ.
Folks have become very lazy and we should all hold ourselves to a higher level in the profession.
I attribute the decline in writing skillz to text messaging. All of the shorthand has carried over into everyday writing. And yes, I spelled skills with a 'z' -- just to have a little fun and keep up my online cred with anyone who reads this!
Appalling at the very least. I also don't think many agents understand the risk a Broker carries and this is the one reason that very few applicants make it into my office.
We have so many ways to reach people now.... there is no excuse for not staying in touch! Kathy
Totally agree with you on all counts! I believe that you did this person a favor, real estate would not be a good choice for them in the long run. And yes, the standards are too low...partly with the licensing laws/education and part with the brokers that hire anyone just to collect their fees.
Jason,
I agree with Kristen. But we're plagued with this in all of society - not just Real Estate. However, I find it extremely ironic when people call themselves Real Estate "Professionals" and can't put together a grammatically-correct sentence.
Thanks,
Tara
Hi Jason,
I completely agree with your post. The significant amount of spelling and grammatical errors demonstrates that this person is not someone you would want to work with. Good luck finding agents that better suit your needs!
Jacqueline
Jason:
This is an excellent topic! I couldn't agree with you more regarding this very important subject matter. Though I'm certainly no-where near perfect; I really try to write and re-write my emails so they make sense and are grammatically correct. It never ceases to amaze me how many agents there are who lack the communication and writing skills necessary to market properties and have intelligent conversations with who are today, very savvy buyers and sellers.
I couldn't agree with you more! I too wish that they would set the Real Estate bar higher. It would certainly make our chosen profession easier and more respected.
Good luck finding the right candidates to meet your needs!
Happy 2011!
Sharyn Krim
Keller Williams Realty, Jupiter, FL
That email is a joke. I went through something similar when trying to hire an assistant so I gave up for now.
Hi Jason- I liked this post, and agree there is no downside to having higher standards. All forms of communications, even basic selling skills-in a first-response to a job post, mentioneing the markup your current boss utilizes is b-a-d.
I agree with John (#23) so many people speak, nay, LIVE in text-world. Great topic, and good luck in your search.
Jason, I don't know if I am the right one to place an option on this topic. With many years of formal education I still consider English as my worst subject. I do agree the new applicant should have put more time into their thoughts for this career opening.
Great topic Jason...between Texting and twittering many people today can't put a complete sentence together. By the way.....I think you meant that you've "encountered a handful of agents" not encounted, unless that's a word I'm unfamiliar with.
Jason,
You are quite right. The bar is low and the entry requirements are slim. In some cases, it can be overlooked if someone's mother tongue is another language. However, that's not an excuse for the vast number who make these mistakes.
Brian
I have to agree, texting may be the death knell of proper writing skills...even for someone like me, who was an editor and writer in my previous life. I do my best to not succumb to the abbreviated writing style involved with texting, but two thumbs are not the equivalent of ten fingers, and if I hope to get that text to the recipient before the next full moon, I need to shorten the verbiage considerably.
That said, people cannot help but judge their invisible contacts by what they CAN see or hear...email and snail mail communications, and telephone manners. I cut folks a lot of slack when brief non-critical emails or listserv posts are involved, but please...when writing to prospective business partners, clients, etc., learn to proofread and use spell-check!
For us to present ourselves to the Homeowner and to others we have to make sure that we communicate it right. That means we have to spend a little more time on our writing skills.Thanks for pointing this out Jason.
Hi Jason,
Here in Orange County, Calfornia, the agents who struggled with communication over the last few years, for the most part, had to find other work. Clients gravitate to agents who can speak, email, and text clearly and concisely.
One of the benefits of fewer sales to go around . . . .
Jason, it is amazing, or maybe not so, the way some people will present themselves to you...
You are right about spelling an grammatical errors. We are professionals - spell and talk like one.
Communication is becoming a lost art in the world. Those who are able will become very important. I believe in technology, but I also believe it is crippling our youths ability to converse intelligibly. Good post, and good luck.
Jason, when I see these types of emails my first thought is that's a scam. And often it is.
Now, to English language - it's easy to start speaking English and communicate basic needs, beyond that it gets far more complicated. However, if one wants to live and work in the US, one has to agree to learn the language, to the best of one's ability. It shows respect to the country which became your second home. That's my opinion - and I am an immigrant and not a native speaker.
Jason - you are so right. Written communication has become even more important in this day and age of emails and on-line marketing.
I have seen plenty of emails and listings that were clearly written by someone like the individual you reference. I do think some of the sloppiness comes from the manner in which our methods of communication have shifted with technology, and perhaps less emphasis on it in school.
Jeff
Hi Jason. I'm with you. This week a prospective hire emailed me to "Thank you for your patients w/ me bc I am new to this and I want to be good but just don't no how to do this."
Um... not hired!
I'm all for raising the bar in terms of education. Regarding hiring people, I had people work for me in the past who weren't that great in terms of written communication, but they were fantastic on the phone and in dealing with people face to face. I suppose great sales people could be taught how to refine their written communication skills. Good people are so hard to come by.
y i ned spllckr? LOL
When I was in college, I reviewed several hundred resumes for my mother. She was hiring a new loan processor. I came back with a stack of about 20 resumes. I explained to her the rest had grammatical and spelling errors, and I didn't think she could accept that in her processor.
Sometimes I wonder how some people get by in life. This might be one of them. Good luck with the search, Jason.
I'm with you on this one. I have a BA in English but that's not the reason- if they don't have the judgment to use spell check I am not interested in learning what other blind spots they have that may expose me to liability.
Jason ~ Well written and well said. I'm not perfect, but I'm simply amazed at the number of spelling and grammar errors in blogging and social media. I agree with your comments.
Communication is key. Part of communication is knowing what to say and when not just spelling something correctly(although that is a big part of it). If you can't read a client or anticipate their needs you may lose them due to a "communication error". That does not equal success.
"Volume" is a problem. It's hard to strike a good balance between automation and personalization if you maintain a large database of contacts. -- JM
All I can say is wow! O.k., I can say more but I don't want to make a mistake. Thanks for the post.
Regular communication with everyone is important. Thanks for the post.
If U cn rd ths.... We have struggled in hiring people that can not only write correctly, but can verbally communicate. They may be saying all the right things to the client, but their tone or delivery says something else!
Report writing can be a problem too as clients (in most cases) do not have any idea what the abbreviations mean - HVAC, VCT, etc. It saves time, but causes confusion!
Also, use Spell Check once in a while - it comes with every program!
Look at all of these blogs you are putting out there Mr. Crouch!! Welcome back! Good luck with your interviews. I can't imagine what was going through your mind when reading that letter.
Written and oral communication skills are of paramount importance! You can also add computer skills! What about the ability to use the grammar and spell check features? I hope I don't have any typos in this response!
Jason -- All I can say is if I was looking to buy property and received an email from an agent that had typos and incorrect grammar usage, I would definitely be moving on to another. Are communication skills critical? Absolutely.
In Utah, it takes 120 hours of education to get a license (up from 90 just two years ago) to sell Real Estate. 2500 hours to get a license to cut hair. Hair grows back, someone's life savings may not...just sayin'...Great post!
Well written, Jason! There are a few words I see spelled incorrectly over and over on MLS listings: "your" going to love this house, "quite" neighborhood, and "hugh" lot. (The correct spellings are "you're, quiet, and huge.") These are like nails on a chalkboard to me and I'm sure the public feels the same way. I wonder how many of us have missed out on leads due to poor spelling in our advertising . . .
No doubt about it Jason! In fact a Realtor communication skills are the #1 complaint against Realtors!