This year, as many South Australian real estate agents prepare for their annual pilgrimage to the Eastern State conferences, I thought I might try and get ahead of the game this year.

Whilst there is no doubt that there are many quality speakers that provide insight and inspiration for what is one of the hardest gigs in the world – sourcing and selling your own stock of listings as a real estate agent.  Nonetheless, I feel compelled to remind members that often there is a fine line between inspiration and a sharp practice.  Every year, one of the wise men or women from the east advise members how to go about getting listings and/or more sales.  In itself not at all a worry.  However, I would ask members to ask themselves this very fundamental question – how would I feel if someone was to use the proposed tactic against myself and my listings and/or sales?

I love the fact that real estate agents compete fiercely in the market place – that is definitely a good thing.  I do however draw the line when, say a member provides a list of recent sales to the general public in such a way that it would be quite easy for the person on the street to believe those sales were all from a particular agent, when in fact they are not.  I have seen it too many times already for it not to be a considered practice by some. Similarly, I am strongly of the belief that there are many lazy and unethical practices that return to South Australia after these conferences.  Can I ask that the membership respect each other as professionals and again ask whether you would like a particular practice used in relation to sales or listings held by you. Compete hard – compete fiercely but let's not stoop to sharp practices!

I note with great sadness that again real estate professionals, pursuant to the latest survey, are not held in high regard by members of the public.  Whilst there is a multitude of reasons for that, it does not help when some of the practices suggested at many conferences can best be described as ‘sharp’ and at worst, be described as illegal (or at least misleading and deceptive).  Can I respectfully request that members go along and seek out the inspiration to become a better real estate agent and gain the knowledge of some very clever, successful and inspirational people, but not lower oneself to engage in the sharp practices that sometimes return home with you.