Property sales workers in New Zealand are not amused, after a new television comedy decided to portray their industry in what they say are tired terms.
The new hit series Agent Anna follows a single mother and property selling professional as she tries to make it in the cut-throat world of home marketing.
Estate Agents Say Image is Unhelpful to Industry
However, the eponymous home-selling heroine comes up against ruthless colleagues who are willing to do anything (and anyone!) to get ahead – an image that real NZ estate agents say is unhelpful to an industry that has long suffered from stereotyping.
The show, which is watched by 1.2million viewers in the country, features plot lines that revolve around shady property marketing practices – such as scanning the death notices in the local paper for possible property sale prospects, sleeping with colleagues and clients for a career boost, or walking over the feelings of vulnerable homeowners in order to achieve a sale.
Real Estate Marketing Pros Don’t Find it Funny
Peter Thompson of agents Barfoot and Thompson told The New Zealand Herald the portrayal was not a realistic one.
When asked his opinion of the programme he said: “Load of rubbish, to be honest. It’s anti-real estate agents. It’s disappointing. I find it incredible they can create a TV programme like that.”
However programme producer Rachel Gardner seemed confident that the comic portrayal was not too far from the truth when she said: “We set out to make a comedy that all Kiwis would relate to…”
