Reasoning With Those That Can't Be Reasoned With

I was out showing property the other day to a young couple with an adorable three year old boy.  It's a good thing this kid is cute, because he is a trouble maker.  And somehow, while Mom and Dad are looking at homes, I fall into the role of trying to reason with this little guy about not touching other people's things and not jumping on other people's furniture.  He shakes his head affirmatively, giving me the impression he understands, then he's back at it.  Not ten seconds out of our conversation and he's picked up something he shouldn't.

The Mom laughed at me.  "You can't reason with a three year old."  You know what?  That's not going to stop me. Why?  I'm a Short Sale Agent.  I try to reason with banks for a living.  It is virtually the same drill.  I tell them why accepting a Short Sale makes sense, they agree, then do the exact opposite in their actions.  They ask for too much money in the sales price, or just want to outright reject a Short Sale when a home is otherwise going to foreclosure.  So yeah, reasoning with a three year old is right up my alley. And just like I get what I want out of the Short Sale Banks, I'll get the behavior I want from that that three year old.  I just have to figure out what language he understands.  Something tells me immediate gratification and stickers for good behavior might do the trick.

Chris Ann Cleland, Associate Broker- Licensed in Virginia, GRI, SFR, Northern Virginia Short Sale Specialist. Affiliated with Long & Foster, 7526 Limestone Drive, Gainesville, VA 20155.  To contact Chris Ann, call 703-402-0037 or email chrisann@LNF.com.  Or you can visit her website:  www.nvarealestate.net.

Header photos taken by Chris Ann Cleland.

The opinions expressed in this post are those of Chris Ann Cleland, not those of Long & Foster REALTORS®.

 
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13 Comments on Reasoning With Those That Can't Be Reasoned With

JUN
23
553,088 Points 20 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Chris Ann~ We spent the better part of the day babysitting our grandkids.  Our youngest granddaughter is 3 years old, so I know what you mean about reasoning!  If she doesn't get her way, she pouts and I'm ok with that!  :-)
6:40pm • #1
609,154 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I think you just nailed the answer of how to deal with Short Sales Personnel!!   LOL I love it!!!
6:45pm • #2
1,520,829 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Donna:  I don't mind the pouting either.  Cry.  Scream.  Do what you need to do. Grown ups get their way if they are doing it right.

Deborah:  Maybe stickers would motivate Short Sale negotiators too.
6:53pm • #3
236,408 Points Called Shot Master

Too bad you cannot spank the kid or whip bank personal.
7:13pm • #4
1,156,431 Points 86 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Chris Ann, sometimes a three year old can be reasoned with easier than a bank on a short sale. At least with a three year old a time-out will bring some peace
8:05pm • #5
JUN
24
275,890 Points 17 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

But do the banks throw a tantrum and collapse in the parking lot when they don't get what they want?  (Both of my kids thought that the parking lot was the best place to throw a doosey of a tantrum!) But as for a child running amok in someone else's house, there are ways to deal with that and it should be the parents doing so.
4:42am • #6
119,566 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Sometimes dealing with the banks is a battle of the wits with an unarmed person... As for the 3 year old, I hold the parents responsible for not teaching the child repect for others.
6:18am • #7
164,402 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
At least the three year old is cute. What, if any, adorable qualities do the bank folks you deal with have?
7:04am • #8
1,520,829 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Pete:  That would be too easy.

Ed:  You may be on to something there.

Kathryn:  Agreed, but when that's not happening, the three year old learned a littlel something about his Mom and Dad's agent.  She picks him up and carries him, refusing to let him down despite the stiff board or fli-lflop routine.

Mike:  It certainly didn't help that Mom had lost her voice.  One house hunt trip, she had it back and only had to speak in a certain tone for the child to fall in line on a time out.  

Mark:  Good point.
9:43am • #9
982,681 Points 114 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I had this but the boy wasn't 3, he was 10 or 11 and his parents were lacking in parental control.  He was banging on the owner's Steinway.  I spoke to him in a language he understood.  It included my low growl, my focused narrowed eyes, and my saying in a very low tone "Stop it!"  Of course, he did.  Oh, it's frustrating to have kids on tour.  Parents don't get it, and they should.  And if something is broken, or the child is injured they'll blame you because you didn't warn them.  {rolling eyes}
2:12pm • #10
591,693 Points 58 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Chris Ann -- LOL --- love the comparison between an unruly three year and a short sale lender!
2:44pm • #11
523,394 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Bribery works.  Ask Bob Stewart.  And, I know you will win!
2:50pm • #12
1,520,829 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Carla:  I asked the young boy who was in charge when we were house hunting and he pointed to the most lax of the parents.  I corrected him and said, "Wrong!  It's Miss Chris Ann."

Michael:  That's because the comparison rings true.

Ron:  Win what?
3:11pm • #13


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Chris Ann Cleland, Associate Broker, Northern VA

Bristow, VA

More about me…

Long & Foster REALTORS®, Gainesville, VA

Address: 7526 Limestone Drive, Gainesville, VA, 20155

Office Phone: (703) 402-0037

Cell Phone: (703) 402-0037

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