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Are you serving up discontent?

a cup of nasty discontent

Are you serving up discontent?

As humans we all have a basic need to be wanted and liked. Sometimes our jobs require us to do things that are contrary to our basic needs.

It's really tough to have to tell a buyer you can't help them because their expectations are out of line with reality. Or even though they just got a wonderful raise, they still can't afford a home in their dream neighborhood.

We have to dish it out to sellers too. Particularly when sellers have the notion that property values always increase in double digits year after year. Telling them it ain't so, is no joy.

But telling the truth is part of our job. We have an obligation to be truthful and not to lead our buyers and sellers down a rosy path that leads nowhere.

Quite frankly I'd rather have a homeowner angry at me now for telling the truth, than have him really angry with me 6 months or a year from now for telling a lie.

We all want to think positively, that maybe, just maybe this house is so special it will sell at the price the seller wants. Well, it probably will someday.

There is a buyer for every house. The trouble is some of them were just born and haven't left the hospital yet.

Kristal Kraft

Broker Associate, ABR, CIPS, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
TheBerkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
303-589-2022 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax

Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:

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Posted by Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~303-589-2022 on 12/09/2006 09:56 PM

Comments (15)

sarcasm, selling your home, real estate, kristal kraft realtor

Originally posted at: Denver Real Estate & Relocation: Are you serving up discontent?

15 Comments on Are you serving up discontent?

DEC

2006

Nice end quote.

I thought about you in one of my blogs when I took a photo of half of a plantation home. It was to get a better appreciation of detail and focus on an important part. if I can remember that your marketing is paying off.

I have a seller who is living in a dream world in the value of their home. Think I will have to write it down for them in a nice way for them to remember. I am debating to take the listing. its a couple in their 70s. The roof blew off their 6000 sq.ft home and ruined almost everything, its studs,brick and a new roof. They have moved to Georgia. I am the only one they wanted to trust but they would not listen and priced it 250k over what I told them. Which realtors hat would you wear?

Hi Kris, one of our favorite comments to the seller when they are shocked to hear our price is "we'd rather disappoint you now than later on." Most sellers respect that but some seecond guess and have either taken their homes off the market or they keep lowering the price until they get to where we told them. It's frustrating to say the least at times.

Thanks Jay

So well said KK....I have to tell the truth to buyers who have bad credit and think they are going to get their dream house for wonderful terms......

In 1-6 months they might be able to get that house if they clean up their credit.......or farther down the road if they have to pay off past due accounts they owe money on.......

:-D

KK...

That close line is so funny! Yeah, I've used "there is a buyer for every house...when priced right." But, yours is so much funnier.

Hope I can remember to use it.

DEC

2006

I think your last quote is perfect! I also use something along the lines of what Jay wrote, and I really do mean that when I say it to them. You know darn well months down the road they're going to experience far more than just disappointment if their house hasn't sold.

Ann

AIN'T IT THE TRUTH... AIN'T IT THE TRUTH

It's truly amazing how many sellers think their house is so special that it will be the exception to the rule and sell at a price considerably higher than others just like it have sold for.

Your closing line is so perfect for this scenario: "There is a buyer for every house. The trouble is some of them were just born and haven't left the hospital yet."

Just like everyone else, I love the closing line... I've been using the "I'd rather disappoint you now, than let you down later" for a very long time. Great post Kristal

DEC

2006

I love the phrase serving up discontent. Some days I serve up huge helpings of it with a dollop of despair on top. It is not that I mean to but I am just doing my job. :)

Lindsey ~ only the truth.

Eric ~ half a plantation home is better than none! As per what hat to wear? My consultative one. If they really trust you, they should listen to you and do what needs to be done. Price will force sale. Good luck.

Jay ~ The truth hurts but sometimes it does get their attention.

Alex ~ Maybe with you telling them the truth they will clean up their act. We can only hope...

Eileen ~ How could you forget that line! :)

Ann ~ not just disappointment but lost money too.

Paul ~ yup! It is the truth Lionman.

Leanne ~ must be the "gold plated nails" they built it with...

Angus ~ you line is less sarcastic...probably will land better on sad ears.

Teresa ~ dollop of despair....well put and so true. ;)

DEC

2006

Kristal, It is hard at times to tell them the truth when the sellers have an inflated value on their home, but you're right. It's better not to have them angry later on. I know that I sometimes dissapoint investors looking to do a fix and flip when I tell them to back away when we get in an auction battle. But they appreciate it later on and send their friends and relatives as referrals. You've reminded us that we need to take a longer term point-of-view and not get fixed on the short term commission potential.

Steve, not being "attached" to the commission is the only way to develop long-term business.

DEC

2006

That demon in the soup terrine is what we get when we don't lay it on the line with our clients. Engaging with the sellers in the game of "I hope it will sell above market value" is an exercise in futility.

Ah yes, the pretend listing at a pretend price. I hear what you are saying MF!

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