Courtesy between Professional Realtors as well as their clients/cusotmer or should I say the frequent lack of may be due to some Professional Realtor having sustained massive injuries to their heads. These injuries result in their either developing an over inflated image of self importance, a complete loss of common courtesy in communications or a lack of awareness of their environment and those around them. The cause of this growing Phenomenon is unknown and scientists are baffled. But for the sake of clarity let me illustrate examples of what surely was bad behavior due to cranial trauma.
Example one involves conducting a showing in an upscale gated community where the median selling price was $735,000. Pulling into the drive of the 5 bedroom 5.5 bath 4 car garage beauty one is immediately struck by the evidence of a great deal of time, energy and money had gone into the grounds. This was reinforced immediately when walking into the foyer and discovered 20 feet ceilings and sandstone flooring expanding into an atrium like living room. It was apparent to the buyers and me we were definitely in a $2.3 million home. A home which was utilized as a getaway a total of 3 times a year. The listing agent had informed me that a house keeper came by weekly to straighten but generally the home remained unoccupied. We eventually made our way into the master suite but immediate knew something was really amiss. You see as my buyers stepped onto the white carpet the unmistakable sound of squish, squish resounded. Puzzled looks were exchanged and being the take charge kind of guy I am I immediately began to look to see where the great flood had come from. As you may have surmised, the source was the master bath. Apparently, a fitting behind the wall in the steam shower had ruptured and was spewing water. So remembering my Boy Scott model I found the water cut off and placed a call to the listing agent. As you guessed she wasn't available so I left her a message explaining my findings, and actions. Upon doing so with clients in tow we resumed our tour of homes. Several days passed and I hadn't heard a word from the listing agent and since I was in the neighborhood I drove past the subject home and found a pile of white wet carpet on the front stoop and several flooring peoples vans. Two days turns into a week and no call from the agent. So I call her to see how things are going. And although I did speak with her not once did she thank me for taking the time to report the issue with her property... Geez....
Example two involves a listing in which we had set a fixed sales commission. A prime lot in another upscale community was crying to be sold. So after a little work I determined the owner and convinced her to sell the piece for $750K with a commission of 2% (15K) to the listing agency and $7,500 to the selling agency. (Our higher rate was due to our marketing costs, which I disclosed and the seller clearly understood the difference). Now customary land commissions in this area are between 8 and 10% and flat rate commissions just don't occur. But part of my close with the seller was to use the difference between a customary commission and what we would do. Although we are not a discount brokerage I will manipulate the fees when I really want a listing and this one of those instances since I knew I could sell it to a builder and then turn around and list the new construction. About three days from the time the property hit the MLS I receive a call from the Numero uno, Big Cheese, Sales Producer in the area. "Hey man what's this with the flat rate on that lot in ABC? You know we normally get 8 to 10%. And I'm not going to even show it for that. Why right now I have someone who just called me and wants to buy it but I'm not going to push it unless you increase the comission." Well, to make this long story short I told him fine and about ten days later sold the lot and got both sides. Making the seller very happy that we got her price: Plus the sale went to the builder I had my eye on. Sometime during the time from contract prior to close the ole hotshot called and said, still got that client who is really interested you ready to increase the commission on it yet? Of coarse my response was "Nope... it's under contract". Needless to say he wasn't happy but what gave him the right to adjust my marketing strategy?
I could go on with additional examples but I think my point is made. All too frequently we "Professional Realtors" fail to engage our brain when dealing with our peers and yes even our clients/customers. We ultimately become so focused on ourselves that we frequently forget the old adage "Treat Others as you wish to be treated". So the next time someone goes out of the way to help you, try some thing new and different in marketing or makes an inquiry don't show the effects of DBS (That is either Damaged or Dead Brain Syndrome). Communicate in a prompt, Professional Manner. You might be surprised and discover it is contagious which in this case would be a very good thing for everyone.
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