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Cutting Bait......

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Referral Group Incorporated

For many in the real estate industry any work is good work, any client is worth having, and any business is better than none. I am of a different view perhaps because I have experienced the joy of succeeding in difficult circumstances, and the cost of failure when I thought success was a sure thing.

Real estate is a people business and people are unpredictable. I will not bore you with war stories, alas I suspect we all have our own, but I do know that the cost of bad business far outweighs any projected financial gain. When business stress is ongoing and pressures mount then the ability to think beyond the particular client or problem can and does become pervasive. Having experienced this a couple of times in my career I can say with absolute certainty that the quality of my life was so significantly diminished that no amount of money was worth it.

Learning to say no in the beginning is a gift. Once I learned that I saved myself countless stress and wasted time that was devoted to good business and a better life. But no one gets it right every time and so I learned to listen to that little voice in my head that sometimes said, "enough, cut bait and move on." The sooner I acted on that voice the better and easier it was on everyone involved. No reason to protract the inevitable. 

When wondering why life has taken a turn, do what you know will make things better. There is bad business and I for one don't want any part of it.

Posted by

When you think about real estate, it is time to focus. I have helped people for close to thirty years in all areas, and made the process not only simple but enjoyable. Why should you go it alone or settle for less? Call me and find a partner to help, direct and get you where you want to be.

Sheila Anderson

The Real Estate Whisperer...... Consultant, Trainer, Facilitator 732-715-1133

 

Comments(124)

Stavrula "Sam" Crafa, RNC,GRI, CDPE, PSA
Future Home Realty - Seminole, FL
Providing the integrity and service you deserve.

Amen to that !! In the time you've waisted trying to work with an uncooperative client, you could have been out talking and building a relationship with two others and moving forward. Cut bait indeed. 

Jun 13, 2017 08:04 PM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

Sheila, I love your title as it speaks directly to your point.

There are agents who like to have a "trot line", that is a string with many hooks on it. So the agent will often take any listing just to have a bunch of listings.

I have learned that not every fish in the pond is a fish that I want. I will let it go and still enjoy my life.

Well done!!

Jun 14, 2017 06:21 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Absolutely Marte. TY     Sheila

Jun 14, 2017 06:54 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good thinking Dorte. TY     Sheila

Jun 14, 2017 06:55 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Exactly right Stavrula.        Sheila

Jun 14, 2017 06:56 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Hi John. I know you are right. Thanks.     Sheila

Jun 14, 2017 06:57 AM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

The wisdom of your post comes from your experiences through your journey of life, however, some get it after nearly a lifetime while others never get it. It took me a long time to get it but I finally did, yet, when you're trained by the experts and adopt their belief system, it's difficult to change or adapt, isn't it? Great post.  

Jun 14, 2017 11:31 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Thank you so much Kimo.     Sheila

Jun 14, 2017 12:21 PM
Susan McCall - - Compass Realty Solutions
Compass Realty Solutions - Portland, OR
Listing and Buyer's Agent

I read this article partially, OK, actually, because I wanted to know what the phrase meant.  

So I went on the internet and looked up the meaning.  Right off the top the original meaning was that one person would cut up the bait and the other one would fish.  That sounds rather like a job I woldn't want to have, ick!

An alternative phrase which resonated with me is put up or shut up.

Guess I've fired a few, and that works for me.  Thanks for the word search opportunity! 

Jun 14, 2017 04:10 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Thanks Susan. Anything that works......Sheila

Jun 14, 2017 04:19 PM
John Martelotti
KW Staten Island - Staten Island, NY
Your Staten Island, NY Real Estate Resouce!

This is a must read for anyone new to the business and for those of us who are seasoned also. Just reading the article brought back times of misjudged people and wasted time, money.  It's so important to maintain your sense of standards and to use your better judgment. As the author states; listen to the little voice.

Jun 14, 2017 04:22 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Thank you John and nice meeting you. I now have a SI contact.      Sheila

Jun 14, 2017 05:27 PM
Melissa Spittel
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Westminster, MD
"Achieving Results Together "

As a new agent several years ago, I happily agreed to work with a client that another agent in my offer was ready to "dump". Surely, I could get that cilent into a home. Well, after several months, I realized why the referral became mine, and also cut the bait and moved on. I second guessed myself for a little while, but learned I did the right thing. Recently, I had sellers who I was contemplating cutting loose, and buyers who I wasn't sure I wanted to work with. It's a tough call sometimes.  I stuck by those sellers and we closed 2 weeks ago. I took on those buyers and we close next week. It's a tough balance sometimes, but asking the right questions and determining true motivation can lead us to the right path.

Jun 14, 2017 07:32 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Hi Melissa. It is tough but the more experienced you get the better you are at it. TY     Sheila

Jun 15, 2017 09:23 AM
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Good Morning Sheila Anderson 

It is good to hear voices in our heads, at times...lol. This is the key -  "The sooner I acted on that voice the better and easier it was" 

 

Jun 19, 2017 04:32 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Thanks so much Doug.          Sheila

Jun 19, 2017 08:53 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Very smart advice.  Reminds me of a specific time when I "fired" a client who didn't seem to like anything I did.  It was a good decision!

Jun 20, 2017 07:25 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Hello Jan. Thanks so much.       Sheila

Jun 21, 2017 04:42 AM
Gloria Todor
Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA
& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Hi Sheila, Thanks to Gabe Sanders ' re-blog I saw your spot on reflective post. Yes it is not worth the stress and negativity that can build with some situations.  As in all parts of life we have to listen to that part of ourselves that says move on.

Have a great summer!

Jun 21, 2017 06:51 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Thanks soooo much Gloria. I appreciate your support.     Sheila

Jun 21, 2017 08:15 AM