Are agents actively involved in online agent rating systems? According to Chicago Agent’s recent survey, only 17 percent of agents participate in these types of rating systems – 83 percent do not. Of these agents, 80 percent say they are not being rated in any current agent rating system. Despite these statistics, it appears that whether agent ratings systems are beneficial or detrimental is split; 49 percent of readers say these online rating systems are beneficial to the industry, while 51 percent say they are not.

“The rating system would only be beneficial if adopted by NAR or required by the respective licensing states with possible consequences or rewards for certain rating tiers.” ERNEST A. WOODS, JR., BROKER ASSOCIATE, CENTURY 21 PRO-TEAM

“Rating systems benefit agents in marketing themselves for their accomplishments. People don’t really care about what awards or ranking an agent gets. They want to get the job done and they want good service.” JOE SWEENEY, REALTOR, CENTURY 21 KREUSER & SEILER

“Although I do adore my office, they send out a survey to every single buyer or seller that I have transacted with. It is by email, so a transaction cannot even close out in the system without a client’s email address. I don’t so much have a fear of what a client will say or how they’ll rate me, it is more that I don’t think it helps agents as a whole, or even me individually (we don’t get to see the responses). In the ‘old days’ (which is truly hilarious because I’m referring to just about 10 to 15 years ago), most agents would send out their own testimonial forms to clients. That way, there were testimonials to your service ethic but you were also aware if a client was displeased. And of course, it was all by what is now called ‘snail mail.’ No instantaneous digital response.” DENISE NOWAK, REALTOR, CHARLES RUTENBERG REALTY

“I’ve never heard of an agent rating system.” JEFFREY KAMINSKI, REALTOR AND LEASING MANAGER, RENTER’S CHOICE CHICAGO