If You Haven't Been Fired Once Or Twice, You Aren't Doing Your Job

Every good agent I know has been fired by a seller. Some great agents have been fired numerous times. If you haven't been, there is a good chance you aren't doing your job right. Getting fired (or not getting hired in the first place) can happen for numerous reasons. The home may not be updated despite your requests. The house may not be priced well, despite your suggestions. Or you may have asked for staging, and the owner is too stubborn to do so, or doesn't see the value.

So you do the one thing that we aren't necessarily supposed to do- you look back. We have all been there. You have been fired from the listing (either the seller doesn't renew, or asks for an early out) or you didn't get to list the property in the first place. So you go on mls, and notice the house didn't sell for the next agent, or sold for a much lower price than originally listed. It isn't so much a *I told you so* moment, as much as you verifying that your knowledge, instincts and suggestions were all correct. I've done it often, and almost every time, I realize that I was right all along. 

But what good does that do, to realize you really do know what you're doing? After all, you should know that already. Our goal should be to prevent getting unjust firings and passed over in the first place. Getting fired isn't alway personal, or avoidable. But, maybe we can lessen those times:

 

If staging is that important, make sure the owner knows you feel that way. It. may take showing the seller empiracal evidence that a staged home sells quicker than a vacant one. Perhaps you let the client know that you will reimburse them for the cost of staging at closing. Chances are, if the sale goes well, they will realize you were right all along and refuse your money. At the very least, have a stager on call, that can explain their value well, or perhaps offer a no charge evaluation.

Homes that aren't updated face an uphill challenge. You know it, I know it, the seller should know it, but sometimes they dig their heels in. Remember, homeowners treat their houses like they do their marriage. The things they would never accept in another person, is perfectly acceptable in their spouse. The same is true of their home. So I like to perform the equivalent of dragging a married person to a creepy singles bar. Show your client several homes. Homes that have no updates, and nice houses with new fixtures and renovations. Then return back to their house, with a new perspective on what needs to be done.

Schedule price drops in advance. It would be a beautiful thing if our sellers listed homes where they should be priced. In my opinion, this is the biggest reason an agent eventually gets fired. Frankly, I've lost several listings, because I told the homeowner what the home should be listed at. And of course, I looked back several months later, seeing those price drops and eventual sale. Sometimes it took six months, and often it took two more agents. But how could I have avoided it? Why not tell the seller you will agree to the price, if they agree to a price drop every twenty one days. Of course it should be written in the listing agreement.

Communicate, Communicate, Over-communicate- When communication breaks down, people get frustrated, and *employees* get fired. Before the listing, let the seller know you will be in constant communication. Feedback from agents and buyers is imperative in this case. The more you communicate, the less chance for confusion and surprises. 

Remember, it's ok to be fired. If you are doing your job right, you probably should be fired every now and then. But bear in mind, a few tweaks here and there, may make your employment last a bit longer, with a more pleasant result.