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Tip Jar: Don't Step Over Dollars

By
Real Estate Agent with The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia

Don't step over dollars to pick up dimes. Particularly in this economy!

Chris was the first person who ever passed that tip on to me. A good friend of his passed that tidbit of wisdom on to him and so on and so on. Don't step over dollars to pick up dimes. It is that simple tip that we pass on to you you this week. If you have ever said "It''s not the money, it's the principle!", you have probably stepped over the dollar.

How often do we get stuck on a principle and forget the larger, more important concept? In Real Estate, we see people get tangled up over a small amount of money and forget the great deal they are getting on their purchase or sale. It happens daily.

In Real Estate, counting pennies could sabotage the best opportunities. For example, we have had clients get stuck over a small repair item and a deal fall completely apart because both the buyer and seller were focused on the pennies. Buyer walked away from a great deal on a home and seller lost an opportunity to buy their dream home with the proceeds from the sale. A lose-lose situation if I ever saw one.

While others are bending over to pick up the pennies, I am keeping my eye on the dollars! What about you?  Have you picked up any dollars lately?

Mike McCann Nebraska Land Broker
Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Farm & Commercial Land Broker-Auctioneer Serving Nebraska - Kearney, NE
Farm & Commercial Property For Sale 308-627-3700

I enjoyed your short blog. I agree that we work hard to get to the table and then a minor inspection item or the last tweek in the price negotiations cause everything to collapse.

I work hard from the first time I meet either a buyer or seller to prepare them for this event so that when it happens...I can say remember how we talked about this and we don't want to miss the big picture.  I try to be preemptive because I have in the past stepped over the dollar and ended up with ...well...nothing.

May 19, 2011 03:52 AM
Karen Hurst
RICOASTALLIVING.COM - Warwick, RI
Rhode Island Waterfront!

Very good point! Just this morning I mentioned something like this to my husband. We end up arguing over pennies when we shouldn't even be involved with them! 

 As for Real Estate, I think this is a great point to be made with Buyers and Sellers!  Deals fall apart all the time over stupid little things!

Buying or selling a house is when you should be looking at the BIG picture!

May 19, 2011 03:56 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Goes to the old saying"a penny wise and a pound foolish"

Have a great Day

HelpfulHannah

May 19, 2011 04:17 AM
Holly Weatherwax
Associate Broker, Momentum Realty - Reston, VA
A Great Real Estate Experience

This is sooo true! I regularly have clients who are negotiating homes in the high $ price range who will get caught up over $500-$1,500 repairs.  Really? You would be willing to buy the house for almost a million dollars, but will walk away when negotiations stall over $500?  Usually, I can talk them 'off the cliff' and the deal gets done.

May 19, 2011 07:16 AM
Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

I've never heard that term before... but, I agree with Hannah, #3.  We must always look at the big picture - life is too short to quibble over the small stuff!

May 19, 2011 07:18 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

That is an excellent piece of advice.  So many deals are lost because of the short-sightedness of the parties.

May 19, 2011 04:51 PM
The Somers Team
The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia - Philadelphia, PA
Delivering Real Estate Happiness

Thanks for the comments guys.  I appreciate Stephanie using my "wisdom phrase" for our tip .  I think when folks take a step back and look at the big picture (instead of the small picture), that is when they can be the most productive.   Forget about winning the little quibble over a couple of hundred dollars when you are selling a house.  Do what you can to close the deal.  Sometimes that "loss" is your gain down the road in terms of goodwill or just a plain smart decision.   If you really think about it, it makes a lot of sense, why "step over dollars" to "pick up dimes" ? 

For example, why not get a settlement check for $100,000 (fill in the blank) instead of losing it over some stupid home inspection repair and receive nothing ?

You can use this in business and in life.

Hope the tip helps you !    ~ Chris

 

May 21, 2011 03:16 AM