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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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?
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
“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
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)
Central AC
Realtor: “Not Sure How To Spin This One"
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
“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...
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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...
"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... 