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?
Badly done conversion to flats, possibly they are thinking it's only temporary and so have left it easy to remove.
Likely done illegally, so it may came out sooner than later...
Load More Replies...🤣🤣ohh yeah I see it now. The stairs are to the left where the wall is now but then the other ppl have stairs leading to a wall. What a strange way to do this....yeah so the staircase is to the left and the walll blocks it the part on the right is the part of the stairs that sticks out if you've ever seen stairs have that extra bit that sticks out last the raining.
Load More Replies...For cats or a place for nicknacks? Maybe garden nomes.. elves..fairies?
At least they are providing a hand rail you can cling to for dear life as you navigate your way to the next floor.
Are they pull out stairs which collapse? No. I appreciate the craftsmanship. For cats likely.
That railing is too high for cats to safely use. OSHA needs ro to be informed.
um… um… oh, i know! it’s a booby trap for the burglars with bad balance and big feet
1: Take off the carpet. 2: Paint in color patterns. 3: Put books, dexorative candles, and decorative stuff on the stairs. 4: Put paintings on the wall above. 5: Place hidden lightspots, pointing at some particular angles below. Now, after the above, you got yourself a nice scenic on this part of the house.
It was a staircase and they closed it off/put up a wall for some reason.
But why is the railing on the wrong side? Cats are going to fall. lol
This is photoshopped c**p - the carpet in front of the “wall” isn’t the same colors as what runs up the side of the “wall”.
or me in the eyes of a woman who wants a six foot tall man when i tell her i am 4''11
It's for your childrens toys so they can head back to the room like in Toystory
It might work as a bookcase for small books, or shelves for plants and small ornaments. I don't know how you are supposed to get upstairs though. The power of thought, wave a wand, astral projection?
It's like the one obstacle course where you stay close to the wall.
Whoa… the thin man must live here…lol. Looks very safe with the hand rail… don’t you think?
It was likely a house that's been split into apartments.. access to the upstairs was likely removed and put on the outside of the house to make a legal second unit.
Why do people keep saying it's a cat staircase...use your eyes, it's a regular staircase that's been walled off by some home owner doing DIY or a crappy tradesperson, you can tell it was a well used staircase as the carpet is worn and faded on the bottom step and the floor leading up to it
Why do people keep saying it's a cat staircase...use your eyes, it's a regular staircase that's been walled off by some home owner doing DIY or a crappy tradesperson, you can tell it was a well used staircase as the carpet is worn and faded on the bottom step and the floor leading up to it
I had narrow staircases like these (minus the useless hand railing) throughout my house for my cats.
Oh, that’s a feature from one of my recurring nightmares. It terminates at the ceiling.
It's the outer edge of the stairs, they've closed them off with the wall on the left to - most likely- create a private second floor apartment.
All you people commenting on "does the cat need a handled railing cuz it's tall", as if the cat(s) are actually gonna hang on to the railing while running up even if it were at their level, are ridiculous with your thinking! The railing is literally JUST DECORATION!!!
They just walled off the stairs (and probably the upper level), maybe to create a separate condo
I feel like most people are noticing that the two bottom steps extend down the wall to the left... They're AS LONG AS THAT WALL!!!! like WTF!
I think it was originally an open staircase, then somebody decide to close it off. the one on the left could be a door.
I need to see the top of this staircase!!! My OCD is in hyper drive now gd it
Sideways advancing stairway in other words. you walk up and down it sideways!
Take the rug off and put Wood or stone and it would make a great display for plants and knickknacks...unless those are really meant to be stairs then yikes 😬
Mouse stair. It's carpeted so that their clogs don't wake everyone up at night.
I've seen this multi times. Best I can figure is there were stairs at one point that got moved as part of remodel but couldn't remove them completely for some reason
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?
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.
“This House Has Good Bones” Or This “Backsplash Is To Die For?”
No Garage But Ample Street Parking
Spotted At A Showing
Epic
Virtual Staging Strikes Again!
How Would You Describe This In Your Property Description?
For Sale: One of a kind home, featuring the ultimate in cat scratching posts!
Just Keep It There It’s Fine
“Private Roof Deck”
“Range Oven In Island”
Seen Everywhere
“Open Concept” Bathroom
What
“Tranquil Viewing Area”
Bonus Room
Comment When You See It
Imagine Finishing This Work And Thinking It’s Ok
Shower Closet
Is This For A Cat? What Is This For?
We Have Found The Worst Real Estate Pic On Earth
Curb Appeal
Fsbo: “I Don’t Need An Agent” Part 10,000
Interesting Find
I’m Insane
This Worked. We Don’t See Them
Same
Inspection Report: Disposal Is A Blender
Wtf Is Going On Here
Genius
Should have used the traditional banana for scale. This is just weird...
Two Rooms One Smoke Detector
Whoops
Attention All Agents… Do Not Put Virtual Cars In Your Listing Photos!
Explain This
Imagine Thinking This Is Ok
Well That’s Good Enough For Me! No Inspection Needed!
What Does This Look Like?
This One
“No No... Keep The Couch. It Looks Good”
Thoughts?
For Sure
“Up And Coming Neighborhood!"
i mean, technically, death is coming for all of us. it’s just the speed at which death is walking towards you that matters
Tough To Look At
Scroll down the picture kind of fast and it is like the tiles grow and jump out.
“Large Center Island”
Thoughts?
K
Is This The Ugliest Interior Of All Time?
Not in the context of the other train wrecks here no. Not to the taste of basically anyone with eyesight but at least the arrangement is sensible enough.
Only Fans
Wtf?
It's like that desert where rocks move, leaving trails in their wake....
Nice
Name Check
Apparently the owners named it for fun, and own another complex called Chee Zee. (Source: Google)
Lol
Central AC
Realtor: “Not Sure How To Spin This One"
Uhhhh
I Love When Realtors Get Pissed In Their Descriptions
Ummm What
A Fan
“Great Use Of Space
What could possibly ever go wrong with an oven over the dishwasher. Sold
New And Improved Price!
I think I'll wait a bit, got a feeling this price will keep going down...
How?
When You Use Google Earth For Listing Pics
Voted “8th Best Real Estate Team”
no. this is how you get a true crime murder documentary about you
Remember, All You Gotta Do Is Pass An Exam And You Can Sell Houses...
It has the house keys inside it. It is supposed to stay locked on the doorknob so no one can enter unless they have the right code. Pretty much useless where it is.
This Is Fire
Don’t Worry, It Worked
This Way You Don’t Ever Have To Move
Would You List This As A Bedroom, A Closet, Or A Bedroom With A Closet?
Closet Showers Are Super In Right Now Didn’t You Know?
I told my wife I was in the closet cleaning myself. And as soon as I come out I’ll be a new man.
Jail Whoever Did This
Fsbo Couple Takes Listing Photos
Indoor Outdoor Living
I don't know how to feel about this. On the one hand, it sort of works as a shade from the right angles, but it also gives off a very, very weird vibe which I can't describe in words.
“Spacious Laundry Room"
Why?
It’s Football Season. And Yes, This Is A Good Real Estate Pic
Virtual Staging Is An Incredible Technology
Wtf Is This
“The Lockbox Is On The Rail.you’ll Find It Easily”
On the upside, any would be thieves will probably decide to quit while they're ahead if they ever come across this. It is the Magnum Opus of security systems, and the thieves will agree.
Don’t Look At This If You Easily Get Nauseas
Epic Dishwasher Placement
I'm more interested in the stairs rails, lovingly handcrafted by Grandpa
"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.
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"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.