We do rank right there with used car salesman. Every one has there own opinion as I am sure you know. What is of importance to us as agents is the perception. Regardless of how any Realtor acts or is, in the mind of the general public perception is 99% reality. Not saying it is right but to stay in this business you have to understand it.

I would think that right now a lot of the talk is due to the state of the economy and housing. I heard it said on CNBC that Realtors were the ones "suffering" from the housing slowdown in sales and price declines. Although it may be true, I feel we needed a "cleansing" of part time agents, and this is certainly doing it. First you could see the lenders dropping like flies, then the builders and finally the agents. Overall it will do good to restore the professionalism that this industry had tainted by the part timers who do not keep up with their market and its trends making us all look bad in the end. This will in turn aid in restoring the trust that has been lost by the general public.

As for putting your face out there, an agent friend of mine's husband said he would call a "good looking" agent first. He did not mention the type of service he might or might not receive. It was his perception that a good looking real estate agent could sell his home. Again, I am not agreeing with him but it is "his" reality.

This is all just my opinion, I may be wrong!!

I have to agree with you both.  None of our agents include their pictures on their signs...it's just not necessary.  

While some may be motivated to call due to a so-called "pretty face," most clients that contact our office evaluate each agent based on their knowledge of the entire buying/selling process, their honesty, integrity and ethics.  

I don't see anything wrong with posting the pictures on the signs, but it's key to have the brains/ability to back up the beauty.

Mary Anne

IT, Webmeister, Photographer

Picture or no picture is a tough call.  I don't have my picture on my business card or my signs.  Placing my picture on my website was a tough one.  I think it's a security issue for a woman.  But we are in a very public business and have to get our faces out there.  Although I'm in a very small town, there are some scary people out there no matter where you live.  

I heard a story of a man who was targeting female Agents based on the picture on their cards.  Pictures on websites present even more of a problem, but the more I look at websites that don't have pictures, I think it's necessary.

Cathy