I think you have to love giving advice if your career is in real estate.  You are not spending your own money.  You are advising others on how or where to spend theirs.  One thing that you have to do is learn how to give advice and then step back and let the buyer or seller make their own decision.  Sometimes it is tough - when a Buyer will clearly be overbuying a home and eating macaroni for the next five years, when the house is in horrible shape and the Sellers cannot or will not do the repairs you have advised them to do.  

There will always a time when it is best to only give your best advice and then step away.  There will also be times when, despite being requested to do so, the person making the request really does not want your advice.  He or she may only want you to say what he or she wants to hear.  If you differ, then watch the reaction and adjust.  

This week I got a couple of requests to provide advice and assistance.  It is an honour to be asked.  It was also a big surprise when my advice was actually followed.  One person even apologized for not following everything I said to the letter!!!  Shock.  Okay, it is very rewarding to think that others want to have your advice.

Now my advice to you....  

Keep your expectations low on what advice others will follow and you will seldom be disappointed.  

 

Valerie Zinger  valeriezinger@gmail.com 

Ottawa, Canada      613-859-7759

 

 
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19 Comments on I love giving advice

SEP
25
147,820 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

The tricky part of this is buyers who want you to tell them : is this a safe area? Is this a good neighborhood? etc etc--so subjective, and trying to explain why an agent can not tell them where and where not to live.  I've figured out other ways around these questions, but still a dance.
11:32am • #1
544,696 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Mary:  I often fall into the trap of thinking the person really wants to know something.  I get told (by MDH) that I should just ask questions and let the person come to their own conclusions.  
11:34am • #2
985,607 Points 80 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I love giving advice and it's great fun when you can shop and somone else pays!  I love decorating!
12:15pm • #3
550,772 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Valerie~ We pride ourselves on being advisors, sharing our knowledge and expertise so that our clients can make good, educated decisions.
12:48pm • #4
780,618 Points 38 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I enjoy giving advice much more than I do receiving it, LOL!  I've found with my staging clients that it's best to say right up front that I'm giving suggestions and ultimately they must make the decision as to what they are going to do.  I usually tell them "if it were me....I would...." and let them go from there.
12:56pm • #5
251,493 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Val, I am suggesting this because it really speaks to the truth-most people ask but don't follow advice-as a decorator, that is what they pay me for-my eye and my taste-and more often than not they do listen - that's all we can do and then step back and keep those expectations realistically low!
2:53pm • #6
474,112 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

We Stagers hand out advice every day LOL. Some sellers follow all the suggestions and some pick and choose. I've learned to accept that it is their house, their sale and their final decision. I've even learned to ask if there is something they feel they just can't do before I leave. That gives me a chance to adapt the plan for success LOL.
4:14pm • #7
402,651 Points 29 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Val,

Unless it is directly related to real estate, I'll only give an opinion when asked. Particularly on personal matters.

Jo
5:04pm • #8
761,437 Points 61 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good advice Val.  And, you know what they say about opinions.......?????
5:42pm • #9
466,298 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

That was a rare occasion. I give advise all the time and add to that advise, "you do what you feel you need to do." I can't think of a time that the listener ever took it. Oh yeah they have come back later and said I should have done what you said, but then it was too late for that person. Oh well.
6:46pm • #10
2 Featured Posts

I wonder sometimes why people hire a realtor to assist them and then they ignore the advice they're given.  
9:32pm • #11
SEP
26
275,890 Points 17 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I usually follow my advice with "it's your decision, what would you like to do."  The client is always in the driver's seat!
4:29am • #12
544,696 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Roger:  Now there is bliss - shopping with some other person's money.  Yippee.

Donna:  So true.  After all the education and experience, I think we have something to contribute.

Sharon:  Sometimes people just need direction and after that away they go.  They are the perfect clients.
6:33am • #13
544,696 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Joanna:  If you give advice and expect little then you will almost always be surprised and never disappointed.

Janice:  Good for you.  Finding out what is impossible before you develop the plan saves everyone time and money.

Jo:  I sometimes forget and give advice when it is not wanted or needed.  Ooops.
6:36am • #14
SEP
27
1,452,722 Points 46 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Valerie, Good post. I like your concluding sentence. I will share this with others.
4:00am • #15
523,054 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

People ask for my opinion all the time about antiques and landscaping.  One can only give their best opinion and hope for the best as you so succinctly put it. 
2:26pm • #16
SEP
28
544,696 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Gita:  Imagine my giving advice like that without being asked!  LOL

Ron:  So true.  There is a reason for Buyers to be Aware.  (play on words, lol)

 
2:21pm • #17
SEP
29
227,499 Points 2 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Advice is something you ask for when you know the answer but don't like it LOL
7:31pm • #18
OCT
01
544,696 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Anna:  You are so wise.  Of course, when I ask someone about my hair, I know the only answer that I want.  
5:38am • #19


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