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Do You Alienate Your Peers & Clients? How's About Burning Bridges?

By
Real Estate Agent with Liberty Homes RS-#62825

There must be a strategy for some agents that don't like their job. You know. The ones who seem to really make an effort to NOT work with their Real Estate Industry peers  nor in the best interests of their clients.

Well, a sure way to alienate everyone is the agent who makes sure:

  • They let everyone know that they know it all (and they've been in the business for a few months).
  • They are know it alls (and had a total of two transactions within a five year period)
  • They don't ask questions (I run from those as they are a liability and just jump head on into everything because.....they know it all)
  • That they talk down to all agents because they are better than them (but all along through the transaction they keep messing up and forgetting to do pertinent and important details)
  • They never return calls until 5pm (they either have another job or they believe this is good business....???)
  • They want both sides of the listing (so they don't call back other agents for showing appointments)
  • They have assistants ...whom they instruct to not bother them with minor details. (and we never hear from them since the acceptance of the contract)
  • Not to follow up with the fax or email they sent (that we never got and when it is the day of the deadline we finally call and they say, "You never got it?"

And the list goes on; although the majority of the agents I have met along the way (at least the ones I seem to gravitate to more) do just the opposite. They are courteous, return calls, ask if they don't know something, and really think in the best interests of their clients.

.....And this pertains with all industry related peers as well. Loan Officers, Escrow and Title Officers, the other agent, the assistant, the peer in your office, the home inspector, the pest inspector and that list goes on.

After getting discouraged and writing Hello?????...... Do You Think It's Possible to Get a Showing Appointment? I am still in awe. I've worked feverishly since Sunday to get as many appointments as possible so my clients who are Transferring from Virginia to Hawaii will not have to live out of suitcases for months. The want to be IN CONTRACT by the weekend....... And I still haven't gotten return calls or emails from 2/3 of them.

Bottom line is this:

  • We remember when others have treated us with respect.
  • We remember when you were thinking in the best interests of your clients and mine.
  • We know we will cross paths with you again....this island is way small.
  • How you perform will make all the difference in the world for continued success in this business
  • Team work makes for a smooth transaction and all involved are happy campers.
  • ..........We all sleep well at night :)

We are INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS. It's what you make of yourself and how you treat your client's and peers that will make you a successful agent.

Do you burn bridges? Alienate your peers? Your clients?  Or do you think in the best interests of everyone involved?

Posted by

                                                       

 

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman  is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs  she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.

 

 © 2007-2015 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's

Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.

All rights reserved.

     

 


 

 

Comments(69)

Robert A. Lopez
GMAC Real Estate ServiceMax - West Haverstraw, NY

You know I heard story after story of these types of occurances and couldn't believe it.  After having worked in an industry where customer service is your paycheck there's no way that you can forget it.  I remember a phone call with a referring agent from another state.  This person did nothing but talk about the differences between the two states and that their state was better at the process of doing business.  I was shocked and completely turned off by it.  Some things may be bigger and better but don't judge the whole lot.  Work with me get to know me and trust me you won't be dissapointed but to cut it off because of your opinions who are you really disservicing?  Remember your client???  Just venting.  Great post and great reminder.

Feb 28, 2008 04:55 PM
Midori Miller
Talk 2 Midori, LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Online Marketing For Real Estate Professionals

Hi Sally-I can see we have some similiar experiences lately.  It sadden's me...and we wonder why the public percieves us the way they do...I went to an incredible training yesterday...one of the things the instructor said if you have a bad customer service experience people end up telling 20 people and if it is good 5.  

The way agents treat their peers is probably not that much different than the way they treat their customers.  Burning bridges is a big mistake...who wants to work with a mediocre agent...not me and not the consumer.   So when you don't return calls, respond to emails or even have the deciency to tell your staff you took the day off...Mediocre!   

Feb 28, 2008 08:03 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel
Good post. I like Midori's comments. It is true if someone has a bad experience they tell everyone they meet but if they have a good experience they do not tell many people.
Feb 28, 2008 11:22 PM
Sharon Harris
Keller Williams Keystone Realty - Hanover, PA
Realtor

You are so right. i have called to set up showings and no response. I call back oh The sellers do not want any showing today or this weekend? Are you kidding me? In this market they are turning down showings/ Or maybe you did not have the energy to to call and now they have no time to clean up the home. It does seem  that there is a lot of lazy agents today. I guess it is the slow market and they have become sluggish...

Feb 28, 2008 11:57 PM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Lanre: Well, they lost out because we viewed a total of 12 homes yesterday. They are deciding between two and hopefully put in an offer today.

Pete: Yeah...haven't seen you! I have to catch up this evening...been busy.

Robert: All states have different RE laws etc....but it's not about how good each state is....it's the professional representing the client. Or...at least I believe that to be true :)  I don't know the whole story there although just from your side it seems that it was the case of the "we're better" or "I'm better" syndrome.

Feb 29, 2008 02:39 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
Midori: I don't wonder....the public experiences the same with their agent... I believe that the negative comments from those experiences will surely be more than 20. I just told all of you :)  LOL...I know what you mean though...this is a very small island and if one tells one....the whole island knows.
Feb 29, 2008 02:44 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Gita: It is true Gita....the more they put out there that they are not courteous ....the more they show the public and their peers that they just aren't the ones to give good service. And...isn't that what we're about?

Sharon: No excuses...slower market...more inventory and hey...less sales #'s here. If I have a buyer who is ready willing and able....I would think they would be happy they got a call!

Feb 29, 2008 02:51 AM
Sonya Rosser
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers - Douglasville, GA
Sally, I am considerate to everyone involved for all of my transactions.  I treat people like I want to be treated.  You are right about others not doing the job that you or I do.  Believe me I have had my share of those agents who only call back or email the day before the closing.  You have done their work as well as your own.  But thank God he gave me the attitude to do it with a smile.  And thank goodness that all agents are not that way.
Feb 29, 2008 10:22 AM
Chad Baird
Re/Max Spirit - Dayton, OH

I know several agents where the saying "You reputation proceeds you" applies in a negative way.  Funny how their names travels quickly amoungst the Realtor Community in the local scene.  Always makes me wonder how they survive. 

 

 

Feb 29, 2008 11:50 AM
Bob Cumiskey
A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL
US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor

Excellent blog Sally.  I think we all have run into these people.  Personally, I want to just slam them, but I end up being polite and excusing myself from their presence as soon as I can.  I don't like being around know-it-alls, even if they've been in business since the dawn of time.  Not everyone works the same.  We all have our own style and way of getting the job done. 

Thanks again for a great read.

Feb 29, 2008 12:09 PM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Sonya: No kidding....as everyone else...I'm human and feel discouraged when there is no sense of professionalism as well as being a little courteous.

Chad:  Makes me wonder too....

Bob: Yup...I'm sure my style is way...different. I took these clients to properties all day yesterday and they wanted to go back to two of them today.... and we put in an offer...those agents that didn't respond are left in the dust :)

Feb 29, 2008 03:21 PM
Audrey Hoffman
VoteAudrey blog - Columbia, SC
VoteAudrey

Sally,

Well put!

Here's to professionalism making a comeback for '08! 

Mar 01, 2008 09:43 AM
Lisa Hill
Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Real Estate
Excellent point! I've experienced all of those. But what's worse is the agents who think they know it all because they've been in the business for 20+ years and haven't kept up with technology! They never check their e-mail, don't know how to text message and barely know how to use their cell phones.
Mar 01, 2008 09:46 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Audrey: Gee..you're just the social blogging butterfly... hmm...wonder if you're getting addicted yet lol!

Lisa: Now that I run across every day. I remember another agent had to drop off the contract because the agent didn't use a pc or fax machine. Wow.

Mar 01, 2008 09:49 AM
Laurie Mindnich
Centennial, CO
Sally Jo, I don't know how the market is in Hawaii, but it's inexcusable to hinder showings.  Having come across it on occasion, my first impulse is to write a note to the homeowner to let them know that "we regret not having the opportunity to show your home", but that seems severe.  On the other hand, how else to weed out the agents that give us all a bad name, time and time again?  Good luck- you'll find the right home for your buyers.
Mar 01, 2008 09:56 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Laurie: I went with the latter....weeding the ones out (in my mind) so they're pretty much in the dust right now.

Mar 01, 2008 10:27 AM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor
Saly - It is so very important to always treat others the way you would want to be treated! Great post!
Mar 03, 2008 12:11 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
BJ:  Yes it is...and some just don't realize that what they do/don't do will be remembered in the future.
Mar 03, 2008 03:10 AM
Susan Zanzonico
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services - Morristown, NJ
Sellers/Buyers Agent, Morristown NJ Real Estate

I run into the same problems sometimes, but just keep pushing forward.  Bad attitude and unresponsive realtors, some that think they are above all else....unfortunately it exists.  Best not to let it get the rest of us down and let it be a reminder of how not to be.  They will help us shine on!! :)

Jun 19, 2008 11:54 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Sue: They sure will :) 

Jun 19, 2008 01:56 PM