The Broke Agent is a media brand that creates entertainment for real estate professionals. But the beauty of it is that you don't have to be in the industry to enjoy its content. Sure, that would unlock a deeper level of understanding and appreciation but it's not necessary.
Just look at its project Real Estate Fails, for example. Full of ridiculous architectural and interior design hiccups, it shares pictures from the ridiculous side of the housing market, proving that some agents don't have everything under control. Whether it's due to their own fault, the owners, or unfortunate circumstances, there are plenty of things that might deter potential buyers.
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Notice
We managed to get in touch with Eric Simon, founder of The Broke Agent, and he was kind enough to have a little chat with us.
"Just over six years ago, I started posting as The Broke Agent on Instagram, producing content that focused on the 'inner monologue' of a struggling realtor in Los Angeles. As a licensed realtor, I basically started making fun of everything that was happening to me and put it online in blog form, YouTube Videos, and short-form content like memes, tweets, and Facebook posts. It blew up really quickly and now has well over half a million followers across all platforms."
Even if we were to talk solely about its target audience, there's still room for The Broke Agent to grow as there are over 2 million active real estate agents in the U.S.
Who Needs Inspections?
We had a good example here at work. Dude owned a camping site with houses. The firefighters did a surprise inspection. Dude got fined for not having any fire alarms or smoke detectors. He then proceeds to glue smoke detectors to ceilings without connecting them to anything. The firefighters came back, opened the detectors and found his little scam. Dude got fined AGAIN and then called us to install things properly. 😂
Apparently The Description Read “Stainless Steel Appliances”
Simon started Real Estate Fails to grow The Broke Agent brand and to reach people who aren't necessarily just real estate agents but he quickly realized that it's just a really fun account to manage.
"Everyone likes looking at housing pics, especially luxury or real estate 'fails,' so it resonated with an audience outside of the real estate industry as well as real estate agents."
"Real estate agents love the account because it exposes marketing blunders, property description errors, and other mistakes agents make when uploading their marketing online. It also gives them a platform to submit all the crazy stuff they see in the field and out on showings. The account also casts a wider net on the industry, attracting contractors, appraisers, inspectors, handymen, etc."
This Might Be The Worst One Yet
Sick Flat Screen
Seen In Nebraska
According to Simon, curating the account is pretty straightforward because by now the community around it has gotten big enough for him to receive a steady stream of content.
"Most of my posts come from other realtors in my DMs, but I also get submissions in my Discord, through The Broke Agent and in our real estate Facebook pages and groups," he explained. "Like I said above, most of the photos come from agents actually spotting these crazy fails in the field on showings, inspections, or open houses. We also have a series called #ThingsWeSeeAtShowings on The Broke Agent stories."
Nah Nobody Will Notice
My Worst Nightmare
Get a doormat. If that is an important vent, get one with holes.
When Your Stager Goes A Little Nuts With House Plants
You couldn't find another person more suited to run the project. "Because I am a licensed realtor, I have developed a good eye for what is 'out of the ordinary' and what will perform well as a post," Simon said. "Also, I've been looking at and posting real estate content every day for 6 plus years so that helps with my judgment for what to post."
"The best performing content on Real Estate Fails is toilet content and anything that's sexual. If it looks like a penis or is provocative in any way, the audience goes crazy for it."
Another successful ongoing theme is staging fails where people try to cover up eye sores or contracting issues. The keyword here is 'try'.
No
The F**k Is This?
The Most Insane Apartment Complex Of All Time?
Simon constantly searches for ways to engage his followers. "The best way to [do it] on these posts is to say something in the caption like 'describe this like it's in a property description.' That way, agents can put their humorous twist on a housing feature and highlight it in a positive light like a realtor would do in their marketing."
The man behind the show also highlighted that The Broke Agent has much more to offer; it's a full-on real estate media company with Podcasts (The Over Ask Podcast), blogs, YouTube videos, contributors, and more. "Our goal is to make real estate professionals laugh through the daily stress of the industry and also help improve their business with our marketing, consulting, and content platform."
Light Mold
congratulations! you just got yourself a free houseplant! or dinner, if you’re feeling lucky
The Things We See At Showings…
bad idea, good execution. at least whoever thought of this was pretty good at drawing
You Keeping This Or Updating?
I never know whether to up or downvote when something on these lists of bad stuff is actually cool.
I had the same dilemma and in the end decided I would just vote on entertainment value.
Load More Replies...Fire engine red would make it cool. This color is "70's cigarette smoke stain" gold, aka "Harvest" gold.
Load More Replies...Very Kubrickian ( but it needs to be black and white)
Load More Replies...Very unique, I think the thing to do would be to make the rest of the room match the pod, then it wouldn't look so out of place.
I'm not a fan of the color, but I would keep it anyway. It's way to cool
I need grab bars in my shower/bathtub and that thing actually looks pretty dope! They don't build them like they used too.
I say keep the shower... But loose all that wood. Lean into the vibe and go full retro.
OMG!! I actually remember when these were the "new cool" one piece tub showers." They also offered "upgrades" in a handful of colors.
i cant decide whether i want privacy or whether i want to break my leg while going to shower at night :/
Star-Trek theme bathroom -- "Beam Me Up, Scotty, I need to use the loo."
"Retro" bathroom. Wait long enough it will become fashionable again like clothes!
I feel like this should have been put in as a tub and not wtfe this is.
maybe the colors should be different but i actually love this so much. might be just me because i hate taking showers since it makes me feel vulnerable so a cozy space like this would be great
it looks so cozy though! i would love it (might be just me bc i have anxiety and feel vulnerable in the shower)
Did anyone ever actually like that color? I think it was only picked by people on a budget because it was the cheapest option. Or maybe people that just really hated the avocado green, burnt orange or espresso brown options.
i actually think thats really cool :-) i'd keep that if i had it in my house
I'm expecting Robin Williams to appear in that thing wearing a red spacesuit...
Actually ngl, reglaze it to a color that isn't piss yellow and I'd actually like that. Nice little safety pod for anxiety showers
Attached a curtain rod across the room or have one on a bar attached to the ceiling and it would be perfect, especially if you like a bit of steam.
Kinda like it. Not the color but the concept. Like if it was made out of flat river stone.
It looks so bad but I would probably be fine with it. Except the vertical hand bar, that should be not vertical so it can have shampoo bottles on it
Is there a door I can't see? How do you keep the water in? Cool for baths though
I don’t like beige, but I think that I might have to keep it, just for the “Space 1999”/“Logan’s Run” vibes.
I'd keep it but paint the bathroom and make it more lighter inside and fix and add stuff.
Keeper. A new cover and it's off to the future. The more I look the better it is.
Super easy to clean, no nooks to collect gunge...far better for living with than many of the 'nicer' or 'modern' designs.
I actually the the unusual shower/bathroom, and it has a grab bar for us oldies.
Nothing wrong whatsoever with this shower stall. People who rip out stuff in perfect condition just because it's "outdated" need to have their heads examined.
These were very popular back in the late 70s, early 80s. Particularly in modular or pre-fab homes. Anything that could be made into an all-in-one unit, basically a plug-and-play item, was very desirable in order to decrease on-site work. That resulted in many futuristic, functional pieces of art.
Needs to be updated with white though, it's cool but that's a terrible color on bathroom fixtures and spraying it white and updated the toilet tile and cabinet would bring it out of 1970.
These showers typically have seating space for elderly/disabled people and they're insanely expensive to replace.
Keep the shower stall, replace the tiles and wallpaper some cool 70’s vibe designs‼️Reminds me of that movie 🎥 “Space Odyssey”!
I love it but been I'd definitely end up being locked in there somehow
I think it’s cool. But can you get a shower door or a curtain for it?
The "shower pod" is kinda cool, but the ugly, cheap 70's trim is a no-go.
No updating. It looks just fine. Functional, artistic, just plain okay.
I actually like this! Replace that wretched dingy color to a nice white to match the rest of the wall it'd be even better
I'd totally keep it that's awesome only thing that's off are the colors out makes it look aged
I'm DEFINITELY keeping this! And lining it with a clear shower curtain to see the odd beauty of it! 😍
All it needs is a HAL9000 eye staring at you while you wash your bits.
Way better than my 1979 turquoise-ish blue w/matching toilet and sink that doesn't actually match ANY thing!🤢
Omg I'd keep it for fun! Maaaaybe make it a bit more modern by adding tiles...somehow 😅
Alien shower pod. They were kind enough to put in a handle for use during alien probes. Very thoughtful.
Alien shower pod with a handle to hold on to during alien probe. That's rather thoughtful.
I don't like it, but i don't hate it either. That neverending row of towel racks annoys me though. 🤨
I would totally keep that, albeit that hanging a shower curtain would spoil the look.
As dates as it is it is a better option for people who have mobility issues.
Am I the only one whose mind went to a "sudzy fun times" place?
"Trimmed beautifully in decadent light pecan...". I must have it!!!
The color is ugly but the concept is cool - I would keep it. Also it looks like one whole piece so you don't have to worry about moldy caulking.
"Beautifully trimmed in light pecan...." Where is this and I need to buy it.
Lol.. for a moment... just a moment, I thought... now there's a strange toilet.
It's a shower bar for someone who has balance issues that's also why the "shelf" in the corner is so large, it's a bench for them to sit on, and the shower head comes down so they can use it. Granted the outside is kinda ehhh but I think I would be pleased to have such a "cave entrance" to my shower when I feel like human crap most of the time and hate the fact that I can't take my own showers anymore.
If I was an old person I would definitely love to have a sitting shower with a safety bar for me to hold on to, as of right now I would pass, but man I'm sure at some point in my life if I ever see this picture again I may think: "Damn, that's neat!"
Update the rest of the bathroom to match that amazing classic space age retro look.
I have to be honest.... I don't hate this. Maybe it would be better in white?
This is so special, a space-age shower pod. But the hearing aid color is totally off putting. So, I've I have the money, I'll keep it and let a specialist change te color. It's possible, and expensive, but picture this in a fresh color!
That's were you relax after using the Orgasmatron :O) ('Sleeper' - Woody Allen film)
Thoughts On Photoshopping A Ferrari Into Your Listing Pics?
Wtf Is This
What The Hell Is This A Pyramid?
"Beautiful Balcony Looking Over The Palatial Entertaining Area"
Look Away
Genius Listing Photo Marketing
Innovative
Y
Is It?
Whoops
Maybe this is the bathroom from the story a few days ago about the anti-masturbation family.
What In The Fresh Hell Is This?
Ah yes, the sideways toilet. Sometimes you make it in the bowl, sometimes you hit the TP.
“4th Bedroom”
It's a room. There's a bed in it. The car's been repossessed anyway, so what the heck
Staging In Tampa...
I faked a bed in an empty bedroom with cardboard boxes and a couple of blankets. It's pretty common when occupants have already moved.
More Of This
at least they’re being honest…? unless it does suck of course
Nothing To See Here
This is a stupid inclusion. It wasn't a real estate listing; it was the Texas freeze in February 2021, which caused catastrophic damage due to two main reasons: 1. TX houses are not built for such weather (including water pipe insulation) and 2. MOST OF THE STATE WAS DUMPED OFF THE POWER GRID SO THAT IT WOULDN'T FAIL WHICH WAS COMPLETELY AVOIDABLE IF THE TX LEADERSHIP HAD WINTERIZED THE GRID AS THEY WERE TOLD TO DO A FULL TEN YEARS BEFORE BECAUSE EXPERTS KNEW SOMETHING LIKE THIS WOULD HAPPEN EVENTUALLY.
Note: this post originally had 110 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
"Most Hectic Homes"? ..." I do not think that word means what you think it means." — Inigo Montoya
Well, the Bored Panda staff is Lithuanian, so...
Load More Replies...I want to briefly visit the minds who made some of these disasters, just to have some chance of understand what they were thinking, if anything.
Jo, can I listen in, on your conversation, it's bound to be interesting !!!
Load More Replies...I've seen every single one of these photos in multiple BP lists before. BP editors, get a grip. I certainly hope no one gets paid for this sh!t.
We just sold it so I can't take pics of it...wish I had...but our last house had some...interesting design choices. They left all of the paintings in the house when we moved in, and said paintings covered up some things like a misplaced vent, a corkboard, etc. There was a fully finished basement but the previous owners obviously failed at something because the shower was in the laundry room while the toilet and sink were in the other end of the basement. Oops. To make room in one of the basement rooms to call it a bedroom they put an indent into the furnace room to create the closet. We never used the room for anything but storage but I couldn't imagine being stuck between the furnace room and the stairs. Other than that it was a gorgeous house and we seriously sold it for twice what we paid for it because of location and the design of the house. But yes, we removed the paintings, we didn't want them to have the surprises we had.
I have not laughed so much in a long time! I feel sorry for the poor agents who had to try and sell those places!
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This post, was one of the strangest, without a doubt, somewhat interesting, there must be a great number, of weird carpenters, or should I say, wanna be carpenters !!!
If I could pick some bits at the cost of a random bit being included, I would love to buy a house made of these.
You can hire Henryclarkethicalhacker for all your hacking needs which include clearing of criminal and driving records, credit hack fix, college grade changes, cloning phones, spying on anyone, hacking all social media accounts, etc,. Reach him via Henryclarkethicalhacker @ gmail. com Text him,, Whatsapp,,+18134211326.
"Most Hectic Homes"? ..." I do not think that word means what you think it means." — Inigo Montoya
Well, the Bored Panda staff is Lithuanian, so...
Load More Replies...I want to briefly visit the minds who made some of these disasters, just to have some chance of understand what they were thinking, if anything.
Jo, can I listen in, on your conversation, it's bound to be interesting !!!
Load More Replies...I've seen every single one of these photos in multiple BP lists before. BP editors, get a grip. I certainly hope no one gets paid for this sh!t.
We just sold it so I can't take pics of it...wish I had...but our last house had some...interesting design choices. They left all of the paintings in the house when we moved in, and said paintings covered up some things like a misplaced vent, a corkboard, etc. There was a fully finished basement but the previous owners obviously failed at something because the shower was in the laundry room while the toilet and sink were in the other end of the basement. Oops. To make room in one of the basement rooms to call it a bedroom they put an indent into the furnace room to create the closet. We never used the room for anything but storage but I couldn't imagine being stuck between the furnace room and the stairs. Other than that it was a gorgeous house and we seriously sold it for twice what we paid for it because of location and the design of the house. But yes, we removed the paintings, we didn't want them to have the surprises we had.
I have not laughed so much in a long time! I feel sorry for the poor agents who had to try and sell those places!
How i become a lottery winner with the help of a spell caster calld Dr Ayoola, i meet this great man online when someone was talking about how this man help him to win lottery and immediately i contacted him and ask for help as well. and this great man promise to help me and assure me that i will win once he give me the lottery number, today i am here saying a big thank you to Dr yoola for helping me to win the sum of 50,000,000 dollars all thanks to you Dr Ayoola you can as well contact him today for help via drayoolasolutionhome@gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/Dr-Ayoola-105640401516053/ text or call +14809032128
This post, was one of the strangest, without a doubt, somewhat interesting, there must be a great number, of weird carpenters, or should I say, wanna be carpenters !!!
If I could pick some bits at the cost of a random bit being included, I would love to buy a house made of these.
You can hire Henryclarkethicalhacker for all your hacking needs which include clearing of criminal and driving records, credit hack fix, college grade changes, cloning phones, spying on anyone, hacking all social media accounts, etc,. Reach him via Henryclarkethicalhacker @ gmail. com Text him,, Whatsapp,,+18134211326.