Hi Jeff,

Loved your analogy...and especially  "The real estate professional’s lens is NOT the only one, but we often forget that"

So true isn't it...and as REALTORS  ourselves, a listing agent might have a different vision than the selling agent, we see it all the time!

I didn't even read to the end before I hit the suggest button.  My husband and I were just talking about this-- it is all about perspective and seeing things from both sides.  Great post Jeff... you nailed it.  K

I think that the perspective of the other person is so important to get a clear vision. We don't have to change completely, but at least get an understanding of the other side. By doing this we can probably better get what we want Jeff.

All great points for sure. I read a book some time ago for graduate school that has to do with analyzing via different frames of reference. This blog reminds me of that in that we need to look through multiple view points. What a seller thinks verses a buyer verses an inspector are different for sure.

I believe to be a great counselor or negotiator you need to look through the other persons eyes.

We are typically asking a seller or a buyer, or both sides in some cases to hire us as their advocate. We have certain moral, ethical and legal obligations to carrying out our responsibilities for our clients. Attorneys have to learn to look at both sides of a case and be able to represent all variety of opinions. Why? So they may be able to anticipate and understand the opposition and thereby do the best job possible for their client. While I wouldn't equivocate our representation with that of an attorney, there is a similarity to the way we must be prepared to understand the opposition and all variety of opinions, as has been suggested the inpsector, the mortgage broker, etc.

Jeff,

Your post is the foundation for creating win-win transactions. There is far less conflict when parties believe they are "heard and understood."

Steve

Jeff - we all need to walk a mile in the other mans shoes or as you put it look through the other mans lens ..... especially when acting on their behalf ..... great analogy

Different lenses is what makes it so hard for buyers and sellers to be objective. You never know their past experiences and what they are idealizing about the home. Its important to draw this out of them.

So many perspectives.  Some realistic and some outright delusional.

Good post, thanks for sharing it.

Jeff, wouldn't it be nice if we all were looking through the same lenses? My husband and I ever look at things the same way. I guess that's what makes life interesting.

Jeff, perspective is every thing.  Great analogy.  I went into one of my own listings one day as if I was a first time looker.  I wanted to see why it hadn't sold.  I saw a good half dozen issues right away.  Perspective is definitely different from person to person. 

Well said, Jeff.  It is difficult to walk in someone else's shoes, but it is necessary for a transaction to proceed smoothly when we understand where the other side is coming from.

Jeff well written and well deserved feature.  How we see things is always colored by our perspective and whether you're in sales of any kind or just trying to deal with relationships it's always helpful to "walk in someone else's shoes.'

What great advice for all of us to keep in mind, not only in real estate, but in life. Consider things from others' perspectives.

Gretchen

Jeff, you are absolutely right, the perspective of others is mostly different than our own.  Transactions would go a lot smother if we learned to recognize and understand those differences.

Hi Jeff...I believe that many sellers have dual lenses.  One they used prior to putting their house on the market.  Chances are their perspective was often pretty realistic at that time.  They were aware of many delayed projects that they were going to get around to fixing, rooms that required paint, yards that needed landscaping, and a host of other things.  When they decide to sell these often suddenly become invisible.  They are now using their rose colored lenses and up goes the price they want.

Kate

Great analogy. You are right that a seller is biased when it comes to their home. They need to see what buyers are seeing in comparison. It helps!

Hi Jeff, it's always a good thing to remember the other person's perspective to make a transaction successful. Sellers need to look at competing homes and buyers need to remember they will be sellers some day.

Sharon