I am launching into the task of buying a new car. I hate to shop for vehicles. I 
typically see something I like, and I go buy it. This year is different. I haven't bought one for a long time so things have changed. I'll need to look a little more than normal to see what the options are today.
I know I want a four-wheel drive vehicle because of where I live, but I'm not looking for a big bulky one like the one I own. I'm more open to something a little smaller with the ability to carry my boogie board to beach and my bike on the back (or inside).
The problem I run into with shopping for cars are car dealers. I don't trust them. Why? Why do I distrust car dealers? It's because of decades of dealers who will do anything to make a sale, including lie, manipulate and purposely hide things.
I have had one car salesman I trusted in my lifetime. I bought at least three vehicles from him and then he left the business. The last vehicle I bought from a dealer included multiple lies from the saleswoman that I unraveled over the first year of ownership. Can you see my dilemma?
Now, there is another business that people tend to distrust: real estate. Real estate has garnered some of the same distrust because of some of the same reasons. There are thousands of hard working, smart, ethical real estate agents in the business, but there is another group out there too. There are those who will do anything to make a sale and collect a commission even if it borders on dishonest practices and manipulation. How do we improve our image? Hopefully in the same way my next car salesman will improve his for the industry.
- Be upfront about everything. No home-buyer deserves to be sold a property that has hidden flaws that are known by the seller or the agent. No home-seller deserves to be sold on selling his property at 20% below the market if the market will bear a higher price. A commission should be earned by doing a great job while securing a client's best interest. Anything else is subject to question. Always be upfront about everything.
- Be honest. Don't show a buyer homes that he just can't afford. I've had many clients who came to me because their previous agent only showed them homes that were out of their price range. The agent hoped to push them to buy a home that was more than they wanted to spend because the commission was higher. Again, it's the clients best interests we represent, not our own.
- Don't make promises you can back up. I've seen many a car salesman say he can get the price down with a short talk to the sales manager only to return with no success. I imagine it's part of the game, but in real estate you can only deliver on what others will agree to. Ask first, promise second.
- Always put your clients first. I know you need to pay your mortgage payment, car payment and buy groceries. I hear you, I can relate, but that still doesn't give you and me the right to do what's to our benefit first and our client's second. If you always put your clients first, you'll have plenty of clients. My buddy who sold cars was the best. I would recommend him to any and everyone. That industry lost a real superstar when he quit. You want your clients to feel the same way about you because they will tell their friends, family and co-workers.
This list could be ten times this long but you get the gist. Real estate sales are about the client. No one likes to feel like they've been taken advantage of, and I can guarantee you if they do, they will talk, and today, they will blog. Car salesmen and Realtors, are they the same? Only we can answer that one client at a time.
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