Get everything in writing…….always!
It never ceases my amazement how many agents say one thing but deny what they said later. This is very concerning to me when it comes to negotiating or entering into a contract on a Real Estate® transaction.
Back in the 90’s we didn’t have much communication electronically. Everything was done the old fashion way, Realtors® would pick up the phone and call on a landline. It also wasn't rare for the two agents involved in the transaction to actually meet in person. I kind of liked the old fashion way, but the only issue with that was we had to spend much more time writing everything down or traveling to meet in person. We had limited access to computers and virtually no access to cell phones unless you could afford one, and they weren’t cheap! The only way to call someone was from a landline and the only way to communicate electronically, was to use a beeper or a fax machine. We basically had to take lots of notes and use lots of ink. I can remember when the “yellow sticky pad” was more common to use, than it is today.
Fast forward to 2016. We have all this technology, cell phones, computers, email, texting, etc, we virtually don’t need to use any ink these days. For example, last week I had to register my finger prints for something and now they don’t even use real ink, you just put your fingers on a computer pad and it picks it all up. I think that laziness has set in. Sometimes I think we use the technology as a crutch and take for granted all these great tools that we have available to us today.
So, why am I talking about all this? Since I’m primarily a listing agent, in my 20 plus year’s in the business, I have had many experiences where an agent would call me to submit an offer, but many times they don’t want to waste their time writing, just in case it doesn’t go through. They like to give me the offers verbally over the phone. I've always suggested that they should submit it in writing so I can properly present it to my client. If a consumer is really interested in purchasing a property, then they should take their time and put the offer in writing. When you send information to me verbally, the story seems to change more often than not and the information isn’t always accurate. The same goes with the negotiation process. This just happened to me the other day, the buyer’s agent requested something from the seller verbally but it in the end the story changed and the agent denied ever telling me this. We ended up having a loud disagreement over the phone.
From that day going forward, I would only respond to all inquiries or requests via email. I wanted to make sure that I had documented everything so there wouldn’t be any more misinterpretations. You see…in this case, I’m just the messenger and when I have information that isn’t in writing, there isn’t any way for me to defend what anyone has said....whether it be right or wrong. It’s in everyone’s best interest to use this method to ensure that we are all on the same page….so always get it in writing!
For more information please contact Neal Bloom-Realtor® /Premier Associates Realty
Premier Associates Realty, LLC
10400 Griffin Road, Suite 206
Cooper City FL 33326
(954)608-5556
Neal Bloom tells it Like it is in Real Estate-copyright © 2016-All rights reserved
Comments(7)