I have found that to be the case, that by being a little gentler with sellers it is worth millions in referrals.

Rebecca, Good luck getting everything ready.  With your expertise, I'm sure your home will show beautifully, but I know there is so much work in getting ready!   I just helped a friend repaint her home a neutral color as she prepared to sell... it's easy to say "freshen up the paint", but a lot harder to actually do it!

How true!  I have been in the sellers position many times.

While you are being a bit gentler with them, don't forget the goal.  If you go too easy on them (or yourself) the ultimate goal won't be met... and nobody wins.  I had a seller (admittedly, a great seller) that jumped at every task.  After closing, he flat out said "thank you for pushing on me to get everything done... because it needed to be."  Now, in his case push was "maybe you ought to..."

But, you are right that we need to understand their situations.   

I never truly appreciated what a seller goes through to sell their home until I sold my own 5 years ago.  Keeping the house very clean, kids, dog, negative comments, constant interruptions for showings and all of the emotionas that go along with selling your HOME.  After my own experience, it has helped me walk in the shoes of a seller and understand not only their situation but the emotions that go a long with selling.

Who ever said selling your home was FUN?  Neither is moving for that matter, but it is a necessary evil.  I too do try to put myself in the seller's shoes, because it really isn't fun.

A colleague of mine says every agent should have to move every 4 years, so they maintain compassion for our buyers and sellers.  Think of what that would for our market!

3 times in 6 years for me and about to do it again!

Great post, Rebecca. Your comments are spot-on. And I think it would serve people well to really remember what a seller goes through. It ain't easy, and it ain't fun being one.

Good luck with your own sale.

Rebecca, everything I personally go through a purchase or sale, I think it makes me better at what I do and have a greater appreciation for what I do and what my clients go through. Best of luck with your sale!

Colleen

So true, so true!  And then they just have to wait after putting all this work into getting the house ready.  It really IS agonizing!

You sound like a very sweet person! I'm sure your sellers and clients love you.

www.waconeighbors.com

You do forget how much work it is to get a home ready to sell.  But like I tell my clients that it is all worth it in the end.  As agent we have the upper hand to make our own homes look the best we possibly can.  That will reflect a lot about who we really are.

It is the hardest for me to tell the sellers to get rid of some of those great pics you have of your children, can you pack up some of the toys?  Things I know they love, and I know it will destract from the showing of the home.  I am probably not as forward as I need to be.  I need to figure out how to be forward and gentle at the same time.  However, it sounds like you got it down!

Good luck in selling your home.............. 

Compassion and empathy go a long way in this business!

Rebecca,

Refreshing viewpoint, thanks for sharing!  As a stager, I try to tread softly, offer compliments before "suggestions," and repeatedly thank them for letting me into their home.  I had an unexpected move recently and know it's hard.  (Especially when I had dug my heels in Atlanta!)  Have faith, it looks like you're taking this all in good humor and will be rewarded for your patience!

Take care,

Audrey

www.SimplyStage.com

Ugh, thanks for bringing up the bad memories

You are so right.  I moved in 2005 and recently wrote a post entitled "Wearing the Sellers' Hat" about my experience.  It's really good for us to go through a sale personally!

That's for sure, a couple of years ago, I had a class come stage my house as we didn't have the perfect house for our staging day.  It was quite revealing and you can be sure it made me a much gentler Realtor/Stager from then on.  It is sooo invasive and I am always in awe of how people trust us. 

This will ultimately be a good thing for your business...as you will "remember" and be able to better relate to the clients you assist. 

WOW, my first Featured Post!  Thank you Active Rain powers that be. :)

Thank you, to all who took the time to read and post a comment.  I appreciate all of your kind words! 

I have been hard at work all day trying to accomplish some of the many tasks on my pre-listing list.  Ugh!  Being a military wife, moving is not a new task for me but this one has taken me by surprise.  We had planned to be here another 2 years and have really enjoyed "living" in this house.  Today I began the process of making my home looked "un-lived in". 

But, this too will make me a better agent!  Anytime we have the opportunity to experience what our buyers and sellers go through, we have an opportunity to grow and learn.  If only they passed out CE Credits for buying and selling your own house.  LOL!

I know I remember how it was. It's funny how you can walk into someone else's home and tell them what needs to be done. But when you have to do it, you sometimes miss things and don't want to do them. I have been there and will be there again soon!

Rebecca,

Even though it's been awhile since we moved I can still remember the stress that came with that process.  I think I'd prefer to read posts about the need to have compassion for our sellers, rather than go through it again anytime soon.  Thanks for the reminder and good luck with your move.

I would hate to be in your shoes - man my Christmas tree is still up, decorated and has gifts under it....

Rebecca,

You're right on this one girl! It's a reminder for all of us, thanks.

Walking a mile in their shoes would help all of us keep and strengthen our relationships in all aspects of life.  Good post-thanks for the reminder.

Take the time to listen and understand their point of view. it'll go a long way. Good information.