By John Culbertson, an EO Charlotte member and manager/partner of Cardinal Real Estate Partners, LLC.

Research shows that commercial real estate agents and brokers have a dismal reputation, and it’s getting worse. The last decade has seen an increase in those asking if there’s a breakdown in the client-broker relationship because of the loss of trust. The overriding assumption is that there’s an alignment of interests between the broker, as consultant, and you, the client.