3 - totally untrue. In my market that has not been the case for years.

4 - NAR says so. That means it has an accuracy of 5% tops.

1 - Buyers don't know what they want until they do. The trick is to have them stick with you while they learn what's available in their price range.

2 - Seller better not yell at me or they will be cancelled.

I'll add another - Cash is king.

1. Some people are liars.  There ain't no getting around that other than asking a lot of questions and doing a deep vetting to unveil the truth. 

2. I have only had a few sellers yell at me. It was during the short sale years. I understood the fear and emotions behind the yelling. It was not directed at me ... so it was okay. 

3. That is sometimes true but not always.  

4. I don't know if this is true ... it certainly seems like it could be. However, I am grateful I was not a casualty after my first year. 

3 - May not be the first offer any more, but the first set of offers.  Once you sit for a while even if the market goes up, people offer less.

4 - Most don't make it to their first year.  We see it with association memberships and MLS dues.  If they aren't paying or cancelling, they're likely not staying in.  Two years is the magic number in California, since that's when the first license renewal is due for new salespersons.  Many don't renew.

All of them.

None of them.

Not all blondes are dumb, but some are. 

What a nice pot-pourri of items to choose from with all having merit....I choose the famous all of the above

1. Buyers by their nature want a deal & know they must Carpe diem to get one. Will they moan & groan? Intimidate? Use indifference? Afraid so....

2. Sellers remain fascinating for their pursuit of all they can get which is their right. Their "win" is just as important as the other "wins" too.

3. When someone submits an offer, all they know and & respect is their time at bat. First or last doesnt count unless you miss out. Ante up & play

4. True for many first-timers in various categories. With agents, having a license whether skilled in the use still remains for boasting rights and for opportunity if and when it comes around. I feel sorry for their buyer/seller

I'm voting for #4 because so many new agents have no clue how hard they are going to work without income! It's always a shocker and many phase out half way through the year. They didn't believe the memo that you need 6 months in reserve until your first pay check.

Fred,

None of the above.  There are always exceptions to these types of statements, and I for one am not fond of generalities in any category.  A

Maybe 4, but I don't know who keeps track of such things.

Only number 4, mostly because they don't know what to expect and don't realize how much work is involved. 

I think you should make this a choice of which is "Most" true.  They all ring true to me.

1. People lie. That is a fact.

2. People yell. That is a fact.

3. The 1st offer typically is the best offer. It's downhill from there!

4. Many agents think that real estate is like instant coffee, it's more of a slow brew, especially to remain successful.

None of these are true unless we allow them to be.  Have we not failed a bit if we do allow all of these predictable behaviors to become a reality.

#4 is true...
#4 is true...

#4 is true...

#4 is true...

Per Orlando stats PRE COVID: only about 64% of realtors will sell at least one home that year... 

Fred, I work with buyers so I would propose a different wrinkle on #2.

I believe that probably 30-40%  of the sellers fall into this category:

SELLERS are NON-TELLERS

They either outright lie on the seller disclosure form by not disclosing obvious defects with copious visual clues of covering up a defect, or just check the "Don't Know" box when they probably have a very good idea the basement has current moisture problems, etc.

1. Buyers are not liars... buyers simply often don't know what they want until they actually see it.

2. Sellers are yellers... never heard this one; and in 28 years have not come across a seller who yelled.

3. Your first offer is your best offer... this is true more often than not. The first number they put on the table might need to be negotiated, but that first buyer is often your best buyer.

4. Most new agents wash out after year 1... I have seen this happen for decades... lots of unrealistic expectation about this business and most don't realize what it costs to be in it successfully and that it's not quick and easy money by any means.

OK, I'll make this easy and agree with Lyn Sims! 

Fred, 

1. and 2. are judgmental stereotypes. 

3.  Sometimes yes, sometimes no, depends on many things.

4. Is really irrelevant.  A new agent must know how to choose a broker right for them. Then have the wherewithal to find and learn from successful mentors.   Many such mentors can be found on Active Rain.

I think #4 is mostly true, although it might take 2 years.

They can be true in some cases. I have seen it with 1, 2, 3 and with 4, I wouldn't say most but definitely there are a few.

All are true sometimes but not all the time.  I've never had a seller yell at me but I suppose it has happened.

Most likely 4. As 1-3 are definitely not true. Jeff 😎

There are no stereotypes that are always true, including all of the ones you mentioned.  These are true sometimes, but also not true sometimes.  It depends on the person you are dealing with.

The only true statement in the list is #4.
It is true BECUASE no one knows what 'wash-out' means. That the kind of dodging and weaving NAR does.
Have you ever tried to get this data from you local association?
However one CAN get this informatim from the professional licensing agency of the State Govm't.   That is how I calculated my 'never see their 2nd year anniversary' statements, NAR and local association are unwilling to reveal the fraudulent premise of joining NAR and the predatory nature on real estate agent recruitment.

I am going with #4

I live/sell in Manhattan- and we have way too many agents. A lot of people see Million Dollar Listing NY (or similar shows) and the glamorous properties and think they can do it too. Eh, no. We have nearly 30,000 agents in Manhattan, but only about 12,000 sales annually (2020 was only around 7,500 sales). Most agents make their living doing rentals- which is possible to earn a six-figure living if you hustle. I don't really like the way the rental business operates- so I only work in rentals when I have an investor client I have also worked with on the sales end of the spectrum. It's really only the top 10% of agents (or less) that are doing all the sales deals. I am still young in the business- and my deal sizes are much smaller- but I am starting to get the deal volume now, and little by little increasing on the deal size. 

If these cliches are true...how many cliches are true about Tealtors? 😆

Fred,

My answer to your first question........regarding waterfront property, a vast majority of buyers tend to display good intentions but are generally unprepared as to the specifics when it comes to details. Consequently, they have a tendency to exaggerate their qualifications as it relates to knowledge and the real estate purchase process. For most, the more they attempt to demonstrate their "level of expertise"......they unknowingly expose themselves as wishful thinkers. 

Second, I have never experienced a seller "yelling" at me. My mode of operation is as follows, "if an individual wants to contradict or argue what I attempt to explain regarding his situation, (conditions or facts surrounding the sale of his property)........I learned along time ago, "never kick a sleeping tiger". When a "lively" difference of opinion escalates regarding the particulars necessary to conclude a timely sale of property, it's simply time for me to gracefully move on because from experience, I know that those who continue to question my methodology throughout the process, most likely will "pull the plug" prior to achieving their objective.

Third, it has been my experience that you have to separate "first offers" into two categories, that being obvious "low ball" offers, versus those, where the particulars were evaluated prior to the offer being presented. It has been my experience, that a first offer which has merit or substance behind it, on numerous occasions, is ultimately accepted. Although I usually have reservations about "low ball" offers, I follow the process to finality, regardless of any perceived conclusion.

Those of us who practice real estate sales, like many other ventures, experience a constantly evolving landscape. Think about it, those practices which you entertained ten years ago, for the most part, are now part of history. A "newbe" entering the business today, faces a much different set of circumstances than those of us who entering this business decades ago. The key to success with real estate sales today, always keep in mind, your focus should remain with providing service to your clients and customers. Those who enter this business thinking "it's all about me".....will find out in short order, they're living in a "twilight zone". Those who figure this out later rather than sooner, will be gone in a short period of time. 

I was interviewed by a young college graduate a number of year's ago. She asked me to give her a broad overview of what to expect if she entered the real estate profession. I gave her a very truthful, straightforward set of answers. After I was finished sharing my thoughts and experiences, she exclaimed, "it doesn't sound like this is something for me"! She then thanked me for giving her the "straight scoop". She expressed her feeling that putting the needs of others ahead of her own desires, wouldn't work in her case. I applauded her for recognizing that important aspect of this business. As those of us involved with this occupation know, "you get out of this profession"......what level of energy you maintain with your effort and commitment.  

Fred, thanks again for authoring this "Quiz"! It gives each of us a time to reflect back on how we configured and continue to tweek our "mode of operation" in order to remain relevant.......