An Australian real estate agent has revealed the one major culture shock that surprised him while working in the United States.
Ivan Brescic, also a real estate coach, posted to his 12,000 Instagram followers to share his dismay over the “hate” Australian real estate agents receive, in comparison to Americans where there is “very little animosity”.
“Can someone please help me,’ he said at the beginning of his video.
“I’ve been back in America for about a month, and everyone I speak to can’t believe the amount of hate that there is towards real estate agents in Australia. It’s wild. I don’t understand.
“Here, there’s very little animosity towards real estate agents.”
Mr Brescic said it was even more baffling as he argued Australian real estate agents were more transparent and easier to reach than Americans.
‘”And the funny thing is, American (agents) charge between four and six per cent per transaction. They’re less committed than Australian agents, and it’s hard to get hold of them a lot of the time.
“Australia’s got a transparent system, they’re always available, and yet there’s so much hate.”
Ivan said he was unable to put his finger on why the attitude towards real estate agents was less vitriolic in the US than in Australia.
“Is it that Americans are just nicer? Maybe I’m in the right country,” he said.
“But someone please help me understand why is there so much hatred towards real estate agents in Australia?
The real estate coach also hailed the auction system to sell property in Australia, as auctions are rarely conducted to sell homes in the US.
Commenters were quick to debate Mr Brescic’s remark, arguing that the real estate agents down under were not as transparent as he suggested.
“It’s not hatred, it’s fair criticism of an industry that is definitely not transparent and lacks sufficient oversight. One of the reasons buyers turn to buyer’s agents is to help them deal with real estate agents. Also no other industry talks about themselves as much or pats themselves on the back as loud as real estate,” one said.
“In my experience I believe many real estate agents (notably in Sydney) lack transparency, integrity and self-awareness,” another argued.
“I think you need to learn the definition of transparency,” a third said.
Others argued the reason why Aussie real estate agents suffered “hate” was the result of “tall poppy syndrome”.
“Yeah… Tall Poppy Syndrome is alive and kicking. The moment someone starts doing well, half the crowd is like, “Alright champ, relax… who do you think you are?” one commented.
“Because Aussies have what I like to call tall poppy syndrome, that’s why I moved back to Canada to set up a nice real estate career where I respectively earn 5-10% a deal,” another said.