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Being a REALTOR® Requires Biting Your Lip a Lot

How many times did you want to say what was on your mind but decided to bite you lip. Mine was raw this week.

When trying to show property, I am getting more and more agents who are not returning phone calls. I have my theories why that is, but will just bite my lip for now.

Today I got an agent to finally respond after several calls, to set up a showing. My clients fell in love with the home and decided to write an offer. I called ahead as usual to let the agent know an offer was coming and to make sure there was nothing I needed to know for the offer. The response was, oh we are already in escrow. (that information that may have been useful before we set up the appointment). I was about to say something, but then bit my lip.

My clients then decided to place an offer on their second choice and as luck would have it I got a similar response from that agent (one who took 2 days to return my original call). My lip is starting to swell.

OK back to the drawing board. There are two other properties that we did not see, that meet the requirements of what they are looking for. Unfortunately it has been 3 days since the initial contacts (not to mention a couple of follow-up calls and e-mails) and still unable to reach the agents. Tomorrow morning the call will go to their brokers.

One of my clients is working with a loan officer at a local bank who received their documents and a completed loan application 6 days ago. They still do not have a loan pre-approval. I know when I finally get the loan officer on the phone my lip will be bleeding. I may tell them what I am thinking, but am sure they will get the watered down version while I am biting my lip.

This week I had at least 6 or 8 other instances where I had to bite my lip. I will stop here, because while I was typing this I accidently bit it again and it is getting sore.

Aloha, keep up the good fight. Our clients depend on us rallying for them and showing good judgment, even when dealing with those who are less than professional.

Posted by Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® on 03/02/2008 09:00 PM

Comments (35)

realtor, customer service, real estate, ethics

Originally posted at: Hawaii Randy's Real Estate Opinions: Being a REALTOR® Requires Biting Your Lip a Lot

This post has been included in Hawaii Information

35 Comments on Being a REALTOR® Requires Biting Your Lip a Lot

MAR

2008

Randy, that type of restraint is the mark of the true professional. I've lost my cool two or three times with people and it just doesn't pay.

One of my favorite Bible verses: "Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger."

Thanks for the reminder

Wow. As slow as it has been you think realtors would have a little more time for COMMUNICATION!! Hang in there Randy!!

I have told an agent or two in the past they may want to consider another line of work. I do have little patience for a lack of ethics. I have been good at not loosing my temper though. It is hard sometimes.

Lynn - It is not as slow here, but still their clients are loosing potential buyers. This is a case where I wish I could contact the owners and let them know.

Randy,

You're a real pro! Your clients are fortunate to be working with you.

Randy, I really enjoy reading your blogs. Being new to the profession I have been reading Active Rain for a while before deciding it is for me. This blog is a perfect example of the value I have gleaned these past months. By you explaining your frustrations with the actions of other agents, it helps me understand the market place better. In addition it provides me a framework in which I know what top agents do and expect in terms of service. For example you calling the listing agent to let them know an offer was going to be tendered. I guess if you can't get a response on an offer for three days, probably no hope at all on getting agent/client feedback when they show your listing is there.

Randy, I share your frustrations of unreturned phone calls and unanswered emails. I feel that this goes beyond unprofessional behavior, it is disrespectful as well. Whether it be good news, bad news, or no news at all, I always make every attempt possible to connect with my missed calls. I feel that in a business that success is primarily based on referrals, we must make every attempt to demonstrate quality service; and one of the foundations of quality service is great communication (and it's also nice to affirm that our business relations and customers are important enough to contact them regularly).

Randy.... for the most part, I bite my lip. There have been a few times though to where a client has pushed me. I guess maybe because I give so much and some just take advantage of that? Still no excuse, but gee, I am human.

Overall, it just sucks that people that you are dealing with can't be courteous. Just keep chugging along...

MAR

2008

Randy: I have learned that Biting my lip does make it sore and sometimes bleed. If you bite your tongue, yes it may hurt worse.... but the evidence of frustration is not so easily shown (I also eat a lot of ice, as I find myself wanting to "Bite" something)! It seems that with the Real Estate Market here being what it was, (which was very slow) it has made some Agents here forget that you actually have to be available in case the phone does ring. My biggest pet peeve is not getting return phone calls when I leave messages or voice mail. I am a Closing Agent, I could not imagine what it would be like for you!!

I have a hole in my lip right now...I'm waiting three days for an agent who apparently is too busy to give me an answer on a rental property....I guess they don't want to make a quick $1,000 bucks.

Randy, I have the same thing here. Some times you want to go off but best to stay cool.

Randy, this happened twice to us this week, call, show, write offer and it is already in escrow. What happened to the mls rules? I get so frustrated. Sure, we'll find then another house, but that is not the point. Good for you for holding your tongue.

Randy,

I find it difficult to comprehend WHY an agent wouldn't return phone calls especially in a slower market. Beats me--maybe they are working 2 jobs?????

Randy there are not many things that I hate more than people not returning phone calls. In this day of Cell Phones, there is no excuse for it. Even if they do not have an answer they should take a couple of minutes to return the call.

Aloha Randy. Bitting our lip is part of the business. Tough thing to do at times, though as long as you are looking for your client's best interest, you are in the right track. Good points.

MAR

2008

Sounds like an epidemic is brewing... I've been waiting over a week for a signed addendum to a contract... the buyers agent keeps texting me telling it she's "sorry but I'm super busy." I was tempted to text her back... "busy? 2nd job?" because I haven't seen her name in the MLS in so long I almost forgot she even existed.

Randy, biting one's lip also holds true with working with buyers. I'd like to smack this buyer that I'm working with right now - and the price range is ridiculously low to be going through with this much. But, a buyer is a buyer right now; I just wish they'd listen to us a whole lot more! Thanks for reminding me to "bite my lip".

Randy - This post really made me smile because I do the same thing.

MAR

2008

Lynda - Thank you

Russ L. - It can be difficult, we are always at the mercy of how professional or unprofessional those on the other side are.

Bo H. - If we expect other agents to continue to show our listings we need to be responsive to them.

Jeff B. - All you can do is keep chugging along.

Stephanie S. - In a slow market they should be even more accessible not less. It is frustrating.

Neal - They must be making too much money.

Frank R. - It is always best to keep your cool, but some days it is challenging.

Missy C. - I just can't relate to agents like that. They have no respect for anyone else's time or their own reputation.

Diane B. - That may be it for some.

George S. - I agree, there is absolutely no excuse. If you are that busy, hire a secretary.

Lloyd N. - I always have to remind myself, to look out for the client's interest first. That helps me hold my temper.

Jesse & Kathy - LOL, the 2^nd job is probably right on the money. If you were in Hawaii, would have guessed at the beach.

Debbie - A bit lip only hurts for a short time. Losing your temper and have longer lasting effects.

Jennifer F. - Great minds think alike.

Oy. I forwarded this post to a client today. We have been trying for three days now to get the final loose ends tied up on an offer to purchase. It should be called a contract by now but a couple small things, that have been agreed to, have to be delivered in form of an initial. The reciprocating agent has no idea why my folks aren't at ease that we are under contract. Today is challenging to be cool. I have got it so far but it is like chewing nails.

G reat post. I am sure my client will sigh with relief at not being the only transaction left hanging.

Shoot, I wish I bit my lip a couple of times when things went wrong. Good post and good lesson Randy!

Virginia - It is a problem more common than it should be.

Pete - I can't say I have always, but with age comes wisdom.

MAR

2008

Randy, you're definitely right about that! And, believe it or not, he wrote yet another contract yesterday - hopefully this one will work out. Thanks for the reminder.

I just love it when the other Realtors are non-responsive. Unfortunately (or maybe not) I will only wait one day then I am on the phone with brokers! That's BS and I'm also tired of it on this end and won't play that game anymore. You can't bad mouth another Realtor and yes we bite our lips quite a bit! But, the clients clue in when you repeatedly tell them the other Realtor is not returning phone calls to you!

Sometimes I would just like to tell the other agent, the client, myself a few things but I bite my my lip...If everyone did there jobs and fulfilled their responsibility...well...follow the yellow brick road...

Debbie - Good Luck!

Sandra - I have been waiting a day and a half for a counter offer back so we can open escrow. I am representing the buyer. Believe it or not the seller's agent is not getting back to me. If my client pulls out because of frustration, the seller should be furious.

Gary - If I were the Wizard of OZ I would command it.

Randy. You should NOT bite your lip over the unprofessional behavior of the agents that had pending properties, but were listed as active. Not only should THEY know that their actions were rude and wasteful, but their brokers should know as well. And if it is against the MLS rules, maybe they should know.

MAR

2008

Lane - Even if they update MLS in the 4 days or less, that does not exuse not disclosing they already accepted an offer when I called to show it.

We all have to bite our lip from time to time, but I have to ask what's the deal with the not returning phone calls? We all have at least 3 phones, so why's it so hard to pick one up and call back?

Jenniffer - I can not explain what is wrong with these folks. The problem seems to be getting worse.

Randy, great post. You just have to make things happen despite all the obstacles thrown in your path.

Gary - Thank you. I agree, that is what professionals do.

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