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How to write a contract, 101

Today I received a bottom-lined contract on one of my listings, HURRAH!, and handed it over to my transaction coordinator. It had the essentials, sure, but there were so many errors, including my name, that I handed it over with the notation that it was a pretty sloppy effort. MY TC had to leave before I could document them all, none fatal, but it just made me realize why I appreciate my Keller Williams office so much. I could never get away with this!

My broker once had an office member find a clean copy to make copies for a document I needed that she was helping me with. It was going to a bank for a BPO I think and she didn't want a bank to see the line that shouldn't have been there on the side of the page. She's gooooood. Impressions do matter. I've blogged here about spelling and grammar to mixed reviews but I still stand by my beliefs. No one is perfect, me included; the occasional typo can be forgiven but massive errors and structure of the English language? - I wouldn't trust a professional who couldn't master that - why should anyone else?

I enumerated for the TC what was wrong that I could see - no purchaser signatures on the lead-based paint disclosures, no notice of buyer agency (we require that of others for us, do we require that from others for them?), no copy of the EMD check. checks The errors within the contract were non-threatening, just ommissions. Dollars, dates, contingencies were all there. The agent struck me as smart, street smart, probably very good with her clients and getting good deals for them - she got a GREAT deal out of my sellers. But wouldn't she be that much more effective if she had all the ingredients in the recipe? The deal will get done and we'll be happy to do it. We'll be thrilled if it closes by the end of the year.

Once again, I would like to thank my Keller Williams Ann Arbor office for demanding perfection from us. I never considered working for anyone else. People associated with the business but not in real estate themselves told me this was the only place to go. They even said this office was the only one to consider. The training, the commission split, the opportunities to run your business your way, it's all here. Thank God I listened.

Posted by Susan Walters on 12/14/2007 11:30 PM

Comments (7)

keller williams realty, ann arbor, contracts, professionalism, training, commission splits, running your business

This post has been included in Michigan Information Washtenaw County, MI Information Ann Arbor, MI Information

7 Comments on How to write a contract, 101

Nice post...more people should pay attention to what they are doing.

12/14/2007 11:44 PM

by Amanda Hall * Broker * Hall Team Homes Fort Worth, Texas (Serving all of DFW and McCormick Ranch)

Hi, Susan. I agree with you. Deals get done all the time with blanks, errors, etc on the contract. I am one of those anal agents that uses a checklist on every transaction and a summary e-mail to all the key players (title company, mortgage brokers, other agent, my client, my broker, etc). Other agents comment on how smooth the transaction is as a result. It makes me think that by being organized and accurate in my work, I look out for my client at every turn. I work for a small company and I love it. My broker tells me all the time that I am the most anal and organized agent he has ever seen. I take that as a compliment. :)

12/14/2007 11:45 PM

by Shelby Morris (Realty Exchange)

Thanks, Amanda, and Shelby, Years ago when I worked for a textile design firm, I was accused of being anal and I immediately responded, "There's nothing wrong with being anal!" We all laughed. Design is pretty anal as it is, like nerds with taste - no offense there, I married a nerd and birthed three. We embrace it.

12/15/2007 12:55 AM

by Susan Walters (Keller Williams Realty, Ann Arbor, MI)

Susan, I'm glad you find the support at your office that I do at mine (RE/MAX). I don't think the "brand" matters as much as the people and the dedication to doing things correctly. BTW, congrats on the offer! The best of luck to your clients.

12/15/2007 05:25 AM

by Kris Wales-Macomb County MI Real estate (RE/MAX Advantage 1, Inc.)

Susan, are you talking about Jan? That is very cool, I heard she was good. I hate paper work, bet you didn't know that. The only paper work I like it blogging... is that paper? or screen?

12/15/2007 07:11 AM

by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor)

Very good post, and I agree Impressions does matter in business. And yes it is great to have support from someone that cares.

12/15/2007 12:12 PM

by David Hood- Realtor Chino Valley (Keller Williams Realty)

I agree the branding is less important than the office culture, Kris - I have seen some pretty efficient productions in other offices too.

Missy, when I was evaluating myself for my next career move a few years back, via all the help/advice books out there, the one thing that popped up repeatedly was that paperwork would be the cross I would bear always. I WAS talking about Jan and have hired her for every deal I have ever done, except one I closed last week - a $45,000 cash deal without contingencies - what could I possibly need help with there? Well, my commission was delayed 2 days since the deal was so quick I forgot to turn in the bottom-lined contract (!) and I also forgot to fill out the "green sheet" with the essentials of the deal. Jan always does that for me! A lesson learned.... I think blogging is half-paper; we can go back and correct after we submit but when that fax or email goes, can't as easily fix what we wrote at a later date!

Thanks for your comment David. I have learned to let go and give control to other people sometimes. What a relief!

12/15/2007 03:20 PM

by Susan Walters (Keller Williams Realty, Ann Arbor, MI)

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