HOW TO BE A GOOD REAL ESTATE CLIENT

I’ve been in the “people” business for about 21 years now.  I started out as a fitness instructor.  I loved it that my students/clients did everything I said.  They totally believed that I was interested in their best interests and I was.  I really enjoyed knowing that people were benefiting from my expertise gained both in the classroom and on the job.

Then I became a realtor.  What is is about this profession that makes people think they can say anything they want, nice or not nice?  All bets are off.  Have we not spent time training and continually attending continuing education to be the best we can be?  I’ll give most people the benefit of the doubt.  Selling and buying real estate is an extremely emotional experience.  The seller(s) have, for the most part, put their heart and soul into their home.  When it is time to sell, they are very attached to everything about the home.  Here’s where they go wrong.  Once you’ve decided to sell, think of your home as a house — a piece of real estate.  Once you take the emotion out of the equation it’s easier to take on what negative (and sometimes positive) things are said about your house.  Try to remember why you’re moving.  If it’s because you’re going to buy a house that you like better it’s time to move on.  

Not everyone who walks into your house is going to like it — get over it.  That’s why there are so many different kinds of homes.  You cannot take everything people say personally.  Your selling agent asks other agents for feedback so that they can provide you with constructive reasons why people like or don’t like your property.  This is ultimately important in making any price reduction decisions.  Don’t ask your agent “what makes you think I want to know what others say?”  Well, it’s fairly important, don’t you think?  If your agent doesn’t tell you anything would that be better?  I think not.

What about the buyer who hires an agent to help him/her find a home?  Of course, the buyer is looking to get the best price they can.  Why do clients insist on making tremendously insulting offers to purchase on a home that they like?  What’s the matter with offering an amount that you’d be comfortable paying?  Why, especially in this market, would a buyer play games?  Well, let me say that most likely it’s because people “like to negotiate”, aka play the game.

Here’s a bit of advice from someone who’s seen both sides.  If you’re a buyer and you find a house that you like, make the sellers a decent offer.  Put yourself in their shoes.  How would you feel if a potential buyer “low balled” you on your home?  Probably not too happy.  Yes, it’s a buyers market.  That doesn’t give you, the buyer, the right to insult the seller.  By the same token, if you’re the seller, listen to what your agent suggests as a listing price.  Most agents do their due diligence in checking the comps in the surrounding area prior to listing your home.

Real estate agents are people too and we have feelings.  I had a not too nice realtor experience some years ago, so I understand the stereotypical opinion about realtors — they’re like used car salesmen.  You just never know when you’ll need one!  Some of us take our profession seriously.  We like people and we continually strive to be the best we can be.  This is an extremely challenging time for realtors.  We understand what both buyers and sellers are going through.  Be nice when talking to us, we are performing a service and take great pride in our work.  I care about my clients and enjoy helping people buy or sell a home.  

It takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile!!!