Several months ago I was referred by a friend to speak with her colleague about listing their Arvada home as a short sale. Very routine. The sellers were upside down by $100,000, their house was in excellent condition and their loan was already approved by their lender.
When I met with the sellers, I explained the short sale process in detail, what they might expect from their lender and what potential impact the event might have upon their credit. Nothing was omitted and I left our meeting feeling satisfied that I had done a complete job of educating the disstressed couple and I sent them a "thank you" card in appreciation of their time and to ask for their business once again.
A few weeks passed where my telephone calls went unreturned so I decided to do a little digging and sure enough, the property had been listed by another agent. We've all been there and it still stings to think about it, but I sent another card to let the sellers know that I was aware that their home had been listed and to wish them success with their short sale.
A while later, Vicki and I were visiting with the friend who had made the referral and the topic of the lost listing came up. To my utter surprise I was informed that the sellers listed their property with the other agent because they thaught that I was "too nice." They had no doubt about my understanding of the real estate business, the short sale process or my professionalism, they just thought that I was "too nice" to handle a short sale.
Well, I won't change. I will continue treating others as I wish to be treated and I know that in doing so I will continue to prosper by moving on to the next short sale listing.
Short sales and real estate in genral can be complicated and trying, but I find that the honey-approach, when backed by hard fact, wins over vinegar every time.
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