Prevailing Thought for Today: Integrity In Your Work Parts I and II
Overzealous Seller Pricing (Part I)
Who hasn't been faced with the seller that believes that his/her home is worth far more than it is? I have certainly had my share. How you choose to handle this situation could make or break both you and the seller.
There are 2 kinds of agents represented in this text. The first in (Ezekiel 3:18) is likely to be a green (new agent) eager to please and/or just needs to get some experience in making presentations AND getting more listings (whether they have any real hope of selling or not). Oftentimes these agents either don't have the knowledge or the courage to dispel the sellers denial on pricing. Others may know full well that the seller is delusional and yet, never present the seller with factual information because they want that listing no matter what.
The result:
When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. (Ezekiel 3:18)
A reputation like this can be harmful to your character and integrity as well stifle (if not kill) your career as a real estate agent. For the seller, they will continue to languish in the midst of a market where properly priced homes are selling all around them. Make no mistake, some will not listen no matter what you say.
Overzealous Seller Pricing (Part II)
The second type of agent (Ezekiel 3:19) is likely to be represented by agents like Jane Peters, Broker Bryant and others that confront the seller with the facts upfront whether the seller likes it or not. These agents then have the wherewithal to negotiate a price reduction at the onset of the listing agreement to reflect the the agent's true opinion of price.
Low Ball Buyers
Your encounter with the buyers often presents the first opportunity that the buyer has had to hear the real deal about the current economic climate on a local level. Before you even take a buyer out to look at homes, you are charged with "localizing" the "national doom and gloom" news that you're sure that they've heard. Waiting until it's time to sit down and write the offer is not the most appropriate time to educate the buyer about how to use available data to make an offer that has a reasonable chance of being accepted. Don't be the underlying cause of someone losing a home that they really want just because you failed to educate them. To be sure, there are some that won't listen to you no matter what, but you still have to do what you are called to do.
The result:
But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself. (Ezekiel 3:19).
A reputation like this aids in building your character , integrity as well your career as a real estate agent. Foi the stubborn buyer, they risk loosing a house that they really love simply because of stubbornness and denial. You as the real estate agent can sleep peacefully at night knowing that you've done what you were called to do (educate the consuming public)
Don't be in denial about the type of business person that you are. Don't stake your reputation on an underserved paycheck by not looking out for the best interest of your client. You get to chose the path you take and there are really on 2 to chose from: This HIGH road or the Low road. Always take the high road.
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