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Trust Means Never Having To Say You're Sorry

By Gary Woltal

Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

July 20, 2009 06:10 AM

Trusted Partners From the novel and 1970 film Love Story with Ali McGraw and Ryan O'Neal is the classic line, "Love Means Never Having To Say You're Sorry." Never understood that line well because with love it seems you are saying you're sorry all the time. But with our trusted advisors, the core team of title company folks, lenders, appraisers, Stagers, inspectors, handymen, referral Realtors,

Trust Means Never Having To Say You're Sorry.

You need to count on these "other" folks on your team to do their part. One screw-up and they are OUT! Validate them, check their references, watch how they perform transaction after transaction. Nothing behind yours or your clients back. We are all in this together and a winning team with trusted friends makes the game that much more enjoyable.

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Darin Osenberg

Funky Quail Vintage - Nashville, TN

Gary- It is not often that I disagree with you, but today is actually probably the first..and here's why...

We all screw up. I did last week, and I am sure I will today. Part of people being in my sphere is that they continue to support me thru these mistakes. Here are some quick examples, and Ill try not to be VERBOSE, as Jason Sardi says I am ! LOL

1. Listing agent cannot be reached on short sale. I took the bull by the horns and got everything ordered, fixed, corrected, and submittmed for title, that I had already waiting 3 1/2 weeks to NOT GET! Now, buyers agent, buyer, and even the LISTING AGENT are upset, because I cannot schedule it to close yt. HURRY UP AND WAIT right?? However, MY title company supported me, and let them know it was not me! I didnt have to ask the...they just did it.

2. I personally put alot more stock in someone who stands up says they screwed up, and apologizes! Alot more...than the person who diverts,blames, yet still gets to the same ending. .

I expect my business partners to support me thru good times and bad! As a Realtor you have alot of job requirements. Take whatever paper work, forms, rules, regulations, and ordinance changes that you have...and multiply that # by 50, and that is what LENDERS have to stay up on EVERY SINGLE day! This is especially true if we screw something up with a guideline change...Just the other day for example, JP MORGAN CHASE informed me of a new FORM# that we now have to have filled out on a USDA loan. I didnt know about it! I called all 5 customers, told them I had no idea I would need this form, emailed them over, had them sign...and that was that.. I just told them THE TRUTH!!

One screw up and they are out?? I am sorry, but in this enviroment, I just dont agree with you!

I also recently had a REALTOR send me over a property condition report, that was fine with the OTP. He also said there was NOTHING WRONG WITH THE HOUSE! Home inspection came back, needs new roof, no chimney liner OR FLU, and COUNTLESS other things..that totaled 34 items...of which 9 were safety issues! come on...do you think I THREW HIM under the bus for not knowing his property?? no way! He made a mistake! We worked TOGETHER to fix it! I am proud of the way he & I handled it TOGETHER!

I think where there are screw ups, there are opportunities! Thanks gary!! ...Darin

Jul 20, 2009 06:28 AM

Andrea Swiedler

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT

Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Well, after reading Darin's comment....

Plus knowing that we all screw u make mistakes in our lives ...

I might be with Darrin. However I will say, if I see a pattern, if I realize that there is something wrong that makes someone not "team worthy" then off the bus you go! Same goes for me I guess.

Very thought provoking post Mr. Life Coach!

Jul 20, 2009 06:35 AM

Jesse Clifton

Jesse Clifton & Associates - Fairbanks, AK

We all do make mistakes from time to time, but a solid team of RE professionals is vital. We're lucky to have a great team of folks I can call anytime and they are always there.

Jul 20, 2009 06:48 AM

Sharon Tara

Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH

Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

You absolutely need to have trust in your TEAM and yes, they are going to screw up at some point. We are all human, and it will happen. How they handle that screw up and how they correct it is what is important. Everyone deserves another chance to stay on the TEAM. We would be out of people fast if we tossed them out for one mistake.

Jul 20, 2009 07:55 AM

Judy Jennings

Top Agent Plus - Middleboro, MA

Tap into Judy's real estate expertise & resources.

Gary - Uh oh, what happened to prompt this post? Must have been big. I hope it worked out.

Jul 20, 2009 08:56 AM

John Mulkey

TheHousingGuru.com - Waleska, GA

Housing Guru

Ouch! I don't think I'd have too many standing behind me if I weren't willing to forgive an occasional mistake. And on the other hand, I'm sure glad that lots of folks have been willing to forgive my shortcomings. I do understand the point; but if the standard is perfection, we'll be doing a lot by ourselves.

Jul 20, 2009 08:58 AM

Richard Weisser

Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA

Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Gary...

Hmmm ...I'm pretty forgiving if it's an honest mistake ... with the right apology of course!

Jul 20, 2009 09:32 AM

Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate

M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hi Gary, It's great to be on a winning team, however, everyone makes mistakes. Hopefully, that certain someone doesn't continue to make them...then it becomes a problem. We're all human and we must all remember that. We must carefully handle the mistake.

Jul 20, 2009 11:07 AM

Esko Kiuru

Bethesda, MD

Gary,

It's great to surround yourself with a team of professionals who do, day in and day out, their best to get it right. Occasional and honest boo-boo can be overlooked, as long as everyone is open about them.

Jul 20, 2009 12:23 PM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Gary, I can think of some of my own mistakes and heartfelt apologies. I always try my best and can be trusted but I will never be perfect. I think as long as we can work with a team we trust, to do their best, we're in a great place.

Jul 20, 2009 12:30 PM

William Feela

WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN

Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Gary, is also forgiving the offender. I fyou can't do that, rough roads will stay bumpy.

Jul 20, 2009 01:12 PM

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!

Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT

St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Gary, Yes, it does come down to trusting our support systems and trusting ourselves. Thank you for the great post!

Jul 20, 2009 02:36 PM

Mara Hawks

First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL

Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

I think trust also means you can say you're sorry.... I like the ace of clubs, held in the poker player's paw ;-)

Jul 20, 2009 03:05 PM

Sharon Lee

Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN

Retired and loving life

Gary-This is true. We are all in this together and a winning team with trusted friends makes the game that much more enjoyable. Great post. <SMILE>

Jul 20, 2009 03:12 PM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Readers, I feel like I have been taken to the wood shed by some of you guys. OK, I choose poor phrases in writing in the middle of the day like get rid of people if they screw up. I don't mean to say people can't make mistakes. It is a problem I have where I have high standards of excellence and people take me as shooting for perfection. No one is perfect, especially me, and we have to get better and refined, even as team members. My main point with those you trust like expecting an inspector to show up on time, and they don't and you reschedule and they let you down, you just can't have that kind of behavior and be successful. Everyone has to pull their own weight is my main point. Lively discussion though, but seek excellence not perfection. Enjoying your thoughts!!

Jul 20, 2009 03:21 PM

Mary Douglas

United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO

REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Gary, It's essential to be able to trust people to hold up their end. Yes we all make mistakes, but when you are counting on people, you want to know they have your back. If they do screw up, maybe next time the trust level is not so high. It does have a lot to do with how the mistake is corrected, and the apology that goes along with it, too.

Jul 20, 2009 03:41 PM

Irene Tron

Valparaiso, IN

Gary - What do you mean......you are not perfect? Boy, that's a disappointment! :-)

Your posts are always so well written that we've come to trust that what you write is exactly what you mean. We forgive your occasional slip-up in phrasing.

I guess it just proves the confidence we have in you! Oh....did you just prove your own point about building trust?...........

Jul 20, 2009 11:55 PM

Hannah Williams

HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA

Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Gary..That is one of my favorite cutsie photos ..great analogy..but you sure have been beaten up on this one..personally I liked it

HelpfulHannah

Jul 21, 2009 09:48 AM

John Cannata

214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX

Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

LOL... I think it depends on the screw up. I'm assuming you are talking about some serious screw up or something. I know I have a little more flexibility than that with my partners. If they mess up a lot, then thats a different story. This is your life and you make a living off of experiences.

I just read your response while I was typing. Didnt realize you had a few comments about this already. Fair enough. Looks like we are all under the same impression.

Jul 21, 2009 12:59 PM

Suzanne McLaughlin

Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN

Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

My people are impeccable. One done deal after another. Fair pricing, excellent service. Nothing less. We don't recommend unless we can stand behing them.

Jul 21, 2009 02:24 PM