I Earned that Deal…BUT!
Another Realtor(r) walked away with a check. Please understand this rant is not directed at clients who’s transactions do not work out despite the best intentions. There are times when as a Realtor you spend a great deal of energy and effort and then, for a variety of reasons, it just doesn’t happen. No, readers, this is the story of being the Starter Realtor.
My tale started when I began working with clients who had a very set idea about what they were looking for. They were pre-approved and there was a reasonable expectation that buying a home was something they could do. Over three months I wrote 3 offers with them, answered over 100 e-mails, reviewed 6 to 7 disclosure packages, and made over a dozen trips to show property. Not a big deal, all work that is expected to be done in order to get a client in contract. Except…turns out they couldn’t buy any of the homes they wrote on, visited or considered because their financial situation had changed. When the change was brought to my attention I implored the clients to speak to the lender to reevaluate their ability to buy. The client refused. She insisted that there was no reason not to keep searching and then just see what happens when they found a place they liked. I could not get them to understand that in taking that approach they would continue to waste everyone’s time. Instead, I was fired. If I was unwilling to help, she would find someone who was. In other words, she shot the messenger. Six months later, they did in fact end up buying a house. A house that cost 54% less than what they told me they could spend, in a city they gave only a brief thought to, and in a neighborhood that was out of the question. In other words, I was right…but it was a small consolation.
It is difficult for people who earn a paycheck to understand what it is like to work on a commission based system. If you’ve had days when you’ve gone to the office and just “phoned it in” instead of having a really productive day your paycheck would not reflect the difference in effort. It’s not like that with what we do. We go on faith that the effort we put in up front is going to pay off when we accomplish our client’s goal. If your Realtor has not dealt with you in a fair way, or lacks follow through etc…then by all means, find a new one. But don’t take your ball and go home if they are the one giving you news you don’t want to hear. And please respect that as professionals we have to make decisions on where to spend our resources, which are limited. We make those decisions based on conversations with the client. A realtor has major responsiblities towards their clients but that road is not a one way street. You expect us, and rightly so, to treat you as the client with respect, honesty and fairness. A good realtor has earned no less.
For more from and about Julie Cleland check out www.JulieCleland.com
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3 Responses to “I Earned that Deal…BUT!”
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Julie,
In my 33 years in the business, I learn something with every transaction I have that affects how I function in the next transaction.
A learning experience? Yes. Will something similar happen to you again? Of course.
That is the nature of the business.
The good news is that when you get past it and move on, something unexpected and positive will happen.
I think it has to do with putting so much effort into being upset, that we cannot humanly put out that positive “aura” that allows us to be at the top of our game.
Easier said than done…. you really have to work to get out of your “funk”.
Just some things I have figured out through the years.
Hope it helps.
Brian Boisson
Our job is definitely not an easy one. We are dealing with human beings, truly becoming involved in their personal lives and finances. And, each and every one of them is different.
Some people are open books, others are hesitant to admit when they are unable to afford what they thought they could and get embarrassed, in essence taking it out on you (the messenger) because their hopes have been dashed.
I think what happens in these cases (it’s happened to me, too) is that on some level, they can’t face you, so they basically fire you. They know that new Realtor won’t know that they had thought they could purchase a whole lot more than they now can.
It’s tough, but not a whole lot we can do about it, except to say “next!” and move on, no matter how frustrating it is.
I’m so sorry this happened to you!
All the best,
Kathy Wall
On to the next – hopefully we learn something on each event such as this.
Larry