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When you feel like Going Rogue

By
Real Estate Agent with Indigo Home Team powered by Compass NC: 277197

Those who know me well won't be surprised to hear that as a child, I didn't mind very well. I flew out of the womb with a fully formed idea of how things ought to be. I pressed my agenda like a dogged politician! But because I've been blessed with such kind parents, I can thank my lucky stars I wasn't sold into slavery or traded in on a more compliant model. Though from time to time, I am reminded that this is STILL a looming possibility.

Jennifer Monroe the Princess Beast!

And while I still struggle to tame my inner princess-beast, I have come a long way toward understanding that sometimes, it's best to listen to those who truly do know best. The Professionals.

This post is for YOU, the client who doesn't mind very well. You know who you are...

You choose to ignore the well-honed advice of your real estate professional by going rogue. Because you just know that the lender you've selected is the best choice to close your loan... Or perhaps you've allowed yourself to be lured by an infinitesimal reduction in your loan rate... Or your cousin Eddy is the only home inspector you'll trust to give you the scoop on the condition of the home that your Broker has already expertly negotiated for you. Or, (and if this is you, I have an altogether different kind of referral for you!), you simply don't trust that your agent has your best interest at heart. You don't trust anyone!

The obvious question here is this:  Why on earth would you choose to align yourself with anyone other than a like-minded Broker with a sterling reputation for getting the job done right??

It doesn't take a genius to recognize that those of us who work 24/7 with a laser focus toward closing your purchase or sale with as much finesse as possible, would know who the best lenders, inspectors and related professionals are for your particular circumstances. After all, consider this:  If it doesn't close, we don't get paid. And if you aren't happy, our reputation suffers. We survive by word of mouth. We know how to get you to the closing table unscathed.

So the next time you decide to toss caution to the wind and go rogue, ask yourself if the disasters that inevitably ensue are worth it. Will that minuscule fraction of a percentage point offset the weeks you may have to spend in a hotel waiting for underwriting to grant your loan approval? Or the thousands you'll spend on repairs because cousin Eddy missed a critical defect in the inspection?

I promise you brave rogue client... these things really do happen.  every.  single.  day. 

There's an old saying that is even more true for us than for yucky tubs  ... "We work hard so you don't have to!" 

And we really do! Our smartest strategy is to surround ourselves with a fabulous team of experts who will shine just as brightly as we do. The professionals we recommend to you reflect the same level of expertise and excellence we pride ourselves upon. Trust us to light your way! Especially those of us wearing our invisible crowns!

Yes, the little girl is me!

 

Comments (70)

Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

Well, what can one say but EXACTLY...here's hoping some of those Rogue Buyers and or Sellers read this and take it to heart :)!

Aug 29, 2013 06:06 AM
Jennifer Monroe
Indigo Home Team powered by Compass - Charlotte, NC
Real Estate REALTOR®/Broker/Designer

Marc... It never ceases to leave me wondering...

Wayne & Jean... This is why I insist on the initial meeting with all of my clients. We need to be certain we're on the same page BEFORE I decide to accept them as clients. A pound of prevention...

Daniela... Ha! I'm actually really sweet and quiet in person, so this was my chance to roar ;-)

Holly... Oh so true! But I will admit that now and then I find a terrific new team member that way.

Chris & Dick... Yes, I'm sure they'd stop us in our tracks. But hey, I bet we could prove how much harder we work than those cute little bubbles.

Matt... It seems like such a no brainer, doesn't it?!

Aug 29, 2013 07:22 AM
Jennifer Monroe
Indigo Home Team powered by Compass - Charlotte, NC
Real Estate REALTOR®/Broker/Designer

Ed... Valiently saving clients from themselves since 2006! A new tagline perhaps?!

My Jason... LOL! That picture is my mom's all-time favorite of me and I'm lucky you both love me anyway!!!

Michael... This story is as old as the moon. I break it down to the math and show them what these delays are costing them and it gives them a good dose of the truth.

Tom... Aboslutely! I generally smile and say , 'Oh! Which brokerage is aunt Mabel with? I'll bet I know her!'

Alan!... LMAO!!!! I did what I set out to do then!! MWA!

Aug 29, 2013 08:10 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

I don't work 24 x 7 and not sure anyone really does.  However I do focus on getting my clients to closing whether they are a buyer or seller with all of the resources they need. 

Aug 29, 2013 09:12 AM
Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI, SRES
Eagle Ridge Realty / Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA
REALTOR and Broker

I couldn't agree more with the opening paragraph-- listen to the professional.  Whether it be a doctor, lawyer, accountant, professor, etc.  They spend their life studying these things, just as we Realtors do.

Aug 29, 2013 10:46 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

A great post.. I  can totally relate to you!  I see many similar traits in myself.. and I have learned to tame the beast.

"Our smartest strategy is to surround ourselves with a fabulous team of experts who will shine just as brightly as we do. The professionals we recommend to you reflect the same level of expertise and excellence we pride ourselves upon. Trust us to light your way! Especially those of us wearing our invisible crowns!"

Aug 29, 2013 11:13 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Jennifer, I've felt like going rogue a few times, but I work for myself.  I definitely don't like it when clients go rogue.  I had one do that tonight. 

Aug 29, 2013 12:04 PM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

HA-HAH! So good to see you back and in top form! Your commentary is right on the money and I have to add that someone like us truly understands the rogue in bith agents and clients...not to mention others in the universe!

Thanks, I may have to get off my tail and start posting again!

Aug 29, 2013 10:22 PM
Jennifer Monroe
Indigo Home Team powered by Compass - Charlotte, NC
Real Estate REALTOR®/Broker/Designer

Hey Russell!... If you're selling you should be posting... so put down that BBQ and get those keys sticky again :)

Mike... I wish you luck with your errant client, but like Russell says, those of us who have that rogue spirit are best suited to rope our wandering clients back in. You will.

Joan... That is just the nicest thing to say! I love knowing it's not just me!! ;-)

Gary... Exactly! I'm not saying one needs to engage in blind trust, just enough trust to hear us out and weigh our logic against their whims. 

Cindy... In our market right now, you'd be surprised how much business is transacted in the wee hours. And too much of our energy is focused on putting out fires that never should've happened in the first place. 

Aug 29, 2013 10:39 PM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Well done. I'm shifting my invisible crown .....

Aug 29, 2013 10:48 PM
Jennifer Monroe
Indigo Home Team powered by Compass - Charlotte, NC
Real Estate REALTOR®/Broker/Designer

Lyn... And check that your lipstick is just perfect too! One must keep the entire look polished! ;-)

Brenda... I'm here to say they have been reading this because I've now had several ActiveRain contacts as a result of this post! So know that there are clients out there who feel more secure with someone they know will keep things under control.

Suzanne... It makes perfect sense! And it doesn't. You understand!

Laura... You have a blessed day as well!

Tammie... My point exactly. But it's our job to make sure we understand one another before we agree to work together.

Girard... You'd have to be very, very clever to avoid it!

 

Aug 29, 2013 10:57 PM
Anna Hatridge
R Gilliam Real Estate LLC - Farmington, MO
Missouri Realtor with R Gilliam Real Estate LLC

Loved the post. Thank you for giving me a smile to start the day. I believe you become what you associate with, so I am looking for a few more brilliant friends! Have a great holiday.

Aug 30, 2013 12:01 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I know those clients!  Are you stealing my clients?  Actually you can have those clients, I think I want to try and get other ones.

Aug 30, 2013 02:19 AM
Travis "the SOLD man" Parker; Broker/Owner
Travis Realty - Enterprise, AL
email: Travis@theSOLDman.me / cell: 334-494-7846

haaaaa - I just dropped a Client who was a cash guy, but only in the $30,000-40,000 range, so my take-home would've been around $400-500. After spending several half days with him looking at property all over the area, he decided on one. Then brought in his OWN contract that he had written at 2:00 am the night before. Many other red-flags, but for another comment.

buh-bye!

Aug 30, 2013 03:00 AM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Jennifer, we agree and great post!  FSBO is a perfect example and we know it usually costs them.

Aug 30, 2013 05:00 AM
Paddy Deighan MBA JD PhD
http://www.medicalandspaconsulting.com - Vail, CO
Paddy Deighan J.D. Ph.D

great blog and writing style...very interesting and entertaining....I will follow you blog now!!!!!!!!

Aug 31, 2013 09:18 AM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Jennifer-I suppose that consumers, having been burned so many times by people who were supposedly working for their best interests, have trust issues with almost everyone. Having been disappointed by ministers, politicians, bussiness people-it's no wonder people don't have a lot of faith is service providers. You initial meeting is a good way to try to get on the same page.

Sep 18, 2013 04:09 AM
Jennifer Monroe
Indigo Home Team powered by Compass - Charlotte, NC
Real Estate REALTOR®/Broker/Designer

Wayne... You put it in a nutshell!

Sep 19, 2013 08:12 AM
Des & Spiro Kouridakis
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Properties - Yorba Linda, CA
- North Orange County Experts

Love the picture and the post! This profession still exists for that reason....for when these "rogue" clients come to their senses and realize they need a professional that can navigate the ins and outs of the contracts, disclosures, etc. 

Oct 19, 2013 02:09 PM
Shanna Hall
Real Estate Solutions - Kirkwood, MO
I love selling houses!!!St. Louis, MO 314-703-1311

Rogue clients always stress me out- we set them up for the necessary criteria and send them houses- I MUST have a dining room!  Then they call you with 5 houses from Zillow without dining rooms that they want to go see...  blah blah blah- rogue clients waste your time!!!  If I can't reign them in- I let them go!

Nov 11, 2013 10:24 PM