15 Yard Penalty for Roughing the Passer!

I just passed off a NC offer to purchase to the listing agent. Squeals were the result. I listened to the puffs and waited until the diatribe settled down. Finally, I hear the the offensive squawk. "How can you let your clients submit this, at this price? Are you a rookie agent?"

"Flag! Unsportsmanlike conduct. 15 yards from the spot of the foul."

Look, I'm relaying my buyers wishes, not mine. Not everyone comes from a Vulcan mind meld factory. My job as their Realtor is to advise, relay, and monitor. Unfortunately, the press has it that all home owners are desperate to sell their homes. Everybody is in foreclosure. So, I say to you, blame the press. Consult with your home sellers. But don't blame me. Just say no. I'm good with that.

Not all of my real estate clients believe the low-ball offer will be accepted. In fact, it's just a water tester that rarely works. I tell them that they are starting off on the weak foot. I don't tell them what to put on paper, they put what they want , I suggest and advise. Have you ever had a client that will just NOT take your advise?

So, my retort to the squawker, just say NO to the offer. No flags need to be thrown. I put my efforts into making this contract submission and it cost you nothing. This is the best feedback your seller can get. I understand, as I have listings, too.

As the listing agent, you have three things that you and your seller can do with my buyer's offer: Reject it as written, Accept it as written, or, we can negotiate it if you wish. I brought you an offer and you are kindly welcome.

My point is there is no reason for me to throw the flag. Else-wise, knock it off. Be happy you got it on paper. This new Charlotte real estate market brings out some of the best and some of the worst in techniques and gadgetry. When is too much, too much?

Let's revisit the basics; "Thinking Inside the Box". This is not to agitate the "thinking outside the box gang," but there are some things that are tried and true that don't need to be reinvented.

When someone calls, answer the phone. Voice mail is for when you are too busy. It is not the standard way people should communicate. Never expect text messaging to replace the human voice. I predict we will not evolve into mimes with text devices for communication.

Courtesy is an art, not a fad. Smiles are not. They are genuine and are emitted from your face. A real handshake presses two human hands together, not some form of digital protocol. Our business is becoming more virtual and less human due the the theory of outside the box. Nose to nose, toes to toes makes sense in this business.

Be polite with your responses and apply some common courtesy. This will enhance the professional nature of the real estate
transaction.

Buying a home without the opportunity of turning the doorknob sounds like a bad science fiction novel. Are we to evolve into Real Estate Ebay? Gosh, I hope not. And getting advise from an unlicensed Apple456 at OutsideTheBox dot com sounds even scarier.



Tags : real estate, realtor, buyers, buying a home, charlotte real estate market, home, real estate clients