After an hour long conversation, this is the core issue for this particular consumer.  He's been trying to sell his property for well over 2 years now with no success.  That's not what's bothering him though.  He's a smart man, and understands the market.  What's bothering him is lack of communication. 

He had the same experience many consumers share.  At the start of the listing, in the honeymoon phase, with a marketing plan in hand and all that enthusiam generated, everything is great.  Five months later they are left wondering if sometime during month 2 their file got lost somewhere in the office. 

The old phrase "work expands to fill the amount of time allotted to it" comes to mind.  While communication with the Seller is absolutely vital to their understanding of what we do (and why we do it), it's also vital to us.  Benchmarks keep us on the right path.  If you are committed to communicating with your Seller on a weekly basis, and you've provided a marketing plan to them from the start, it's going to be uncomfortable to call and say ... nothing. 

Real Estate trainers, coaches and companies all teach the same refrain.  Nobody knows what we do, or how we bring value UNLESS WE TELL THEM.  I have a sneaking suspicion that getting nothing done, or having the things we are doing giving no results, is one of the main reasons we don't pick up the phone, or send that email.  In the current market, those calls could be uncomfortable -- but should never be skipped.

We are left with two hurdles to overcome when taking a listing.  Marketing the property to a successful conclusion AND distancing ourselves from the prior bad acts of others who share our profession. 

Here's the part that I found most compelling.  During the course of our conversation, I was reminded that all people, by virtue of their life experiences, bring something to the table.  His perspectives on the market, and where the potential buyers might be had value.  My point?  Even a bad conversation can have a positive impact.  

It's difficult to be the Seller.  Sometimes it's a real pain in the neck.  Caring about them and giving them the opportunity to vent and share their feelings is, or should be, part of the job description.  You are the catalyst for all the current changes and disruptions in their lives.  So please, be responsible and responsive.  Pick up the phone.  Today.

I'm probably preaching to the choir here -- after all, Active Rain seems to be where the uber-professionals hang out, but hey -- lets be part of the solution and try to overcome this particular problem, one call at a time.

It's a beautiful sunny day in Central Florida -- and I'm off to work.  Right after I make those calls!

 Mary