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CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?

I have been reading a lot of AR posts this week that reminded me how much we need each other now more than ever before. From our friends and associates who were in the path of the California Wildfires to the members that are either facing cancer or have family that are facing some illness that turns their attention to what really matters in life. The outpouring of support and concern for each other is inspiring.

But we all still have to make a living to survive too.

What occurred to me while reading all those inspirational AR posts and comments to posts was this, how do you think our business would change if we all treated each other in transactions the way we treat each other when facing personal adversity. Lately I have found that outside our AR support system, where there are over 1.5 Million Realtors and many more licensees, the climate is not as cooperative as it could be. Many desperate agents and brokers are taking the "my client" standpoint to the extreme. They seem to be forgetting that the clients goal is to have a successful transaction. Why do so many fell that fiduciary must translate to adversary? There is a difference between cooperating and competing. If you double end all your transactions all the time you don't need me but if you don't you better think twice about how do business with others. The great trainer Danielle Kennedy has been teaching for years with the philosophy that buyers and sellers come and go but we need to treat each other with respect and kindness to survive in this business.

I know desperate times bring out the worst in some. Another famous statement from the last decade that comes to mind was Rodney Kings' now infamous question "Can't we all just get along?" Seems like such a small thing to ask. Maybe it is time to check our egos at the door. If we concentrated more on getting the transaction from listed to closed instead of who is the number one multi million dollar producer we might just go a bit farther towards becoming true professionals.

Yeah, I know, I'm preaching to the choir here but it makes me feel better.

Posted by C J Johnson Kern & Ventura County Real Estate on 10/28/2007 12:48 PM

Comments (10)

cooperation, competition, courtesey

10 Comments on CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?

Hi CJ;

I agree with your post, and we should all try to help each other. Good Luck!!!!!!!!

10/28/2007 12:51 PM

by Anthony Stokes-Pereira (Prudential Rand Realty)

Hi CJ,

Good post, great thoughts. If everyone played nice it would be so much better.

I've encountered some buyers and buyer's agents that seem to be of the opinion if the seller isn't bleeding, or laying on the floor gasping, they've not negotiated quite brutally enough.

I understand wanting the best outcome for your client, but the brutality is unnecessary, IMO.

Thanks for the reminder. The good news is that the Universe does keep an even score.

PEACE!

10/28/2007 12:56 PM

by Eric Webster Grand Rapids, MI, Five Star Realty (Five Star Real Estate)

It would do the industry some good if we would all treat each other with respect. It doesn't help to put others down.

10/28/2007 01:14 PM

by Al Maxwell - Real Estate Agent - (Coldwell Banker)

I never put another agent down in front of a client. It is unprofessional and reflects badly upon you.

10/28/2007 01:26 PM

by Brandon Causey Realtor Coastal Palmetto Realty LLC (Coastal Palmetto Realty LLC)

Just think how well we all could do if agents treated loan originators with more respect how much we all could get done.

10/28/2007 01:29 PM

by Dave Woodson (Indigo Financial Group Inc.)

Good thoughts. Thanks for the post.

10/28/2007 01:52 PM

by Bob & Carolin Benjamin - E Phoenix Arizona Real Estate (The Benjamin Team - Keller Williams Integrity First Realty )

I run into agents on a regular basis who haven't figured out they need me and I need them to help sell our listings.

10/28/2007 02:20 PM

by Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® (Century 21 Liberty Homes)

CJ-No wait that is what people call me. Anyway I received an email this week from another AR member about me "hijacking" their neighborhood with some of my localism posts. Excuse me? Prompted me to write a quick blog about competition. This world is way to small to be ragging on other agents especially in your own area. We may end up on the other side of a transaction together and starting out on a sour note isn't going to make the transaction very pleasant.

10/28/2007 02:36 PM

by Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services (RE/MAX Allegiance #1 RE/MAX Company in the World)

DAVE: Sorry my bad. I left out our friends on the loan side. I should have said that we need to all work as a team. Beacuse that is what we are after all a team of professionals that assist and facilitate the American Dream of home ownership. Sappy but true.

ERIC: You betcha. When it is a buyers market the agents of the buyer takes the bad cop role and when it is a sellers market the listing agent takes the role of the bad cop. It would be nice if we could support each other by letting all parties know that FAIR does work in real estate transactions.

RANDY: Not only do they need you but from what I can see they would be privilaged to have you in their next transaction. I am trying to find the time to go to CRS in January and I will certainly look you up if I get to Hawaii.

10/28/2007 02:39 PM

by C.J. Johnson

C J, I feel sorry the most for the way veterans in our industries treat the newbies in our industry. And that behavior stand no matter what type of market (buyers or sellers) we are going through.

10/28/2007 03:50 PM

by Camarillo CA Real Estate Agent/ Mana Tulberg (Beach View Real Estate)

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