Professionalism-Playing Well in the Sandbox
A couple of weeks ago I asked in a blog post for the talented members of ActiveRain to share with me the peeves they have with other agents that keep professionalism from being optimum. I am preparing a class for my Realtor® Association on Professionalism and wanted to share ideas on how to treat fellow agents, clients and customers and other players in the transaction.
So many ideas were shared and I compiled a list to use during my class. It wouldn't be fair if I didn't share it here first.
By far, communication was at the top of the list. So many problems could be avoided or resolved if we would just talk. I think you will all agree that all of the contributions are valid and the real estate business would be a happier place if all played by these rules.
- Communicate-When you get a call, text or email, answer in a timely manner. Make sure your voicemail is able to take messages and listen to the voicemails. That is what it is for.
- Use good pictures and accurate descriptions in MLS. Don’t steal someone else’s photos.
- Add the seller documents and disclosures that will be needed to start the offer process.
- Make your listing fully available and easy to show. Secret listings are not servicing the client and earn the agent a bad reputation.
- Read the instructions in the listing before you make a call the listing agent.
- There may be agents you don’t enjoy doing business with. Get over it for the sake of your client.
- Don’t ask the listing agent what is wrong with the property. Remember he represents the seller and you need to see it for yourself.
- Make sure if the listing is on lockbox, that the lockbox can be easily located, the box opens and the key is in it and will open the door.
- If you have made an appointment to show and must cancel or are running late, notify the showing center or listing agent so as soon as possible. Sellers don’t like being stood up for showings.
- Communicate before you send an offer. On the receiving end, acknowledge when an offer or requested information has been received. A friendly text or reply to the email is all it takes.
- Verbal negotiating can get you in trouble. Remember for contracts to be enforceable, they must be in writing.
- Use the correct forms and fill them out properly. Check your work. If you need help seek the help of a mentor or broker in your office before you send it.
- Adhere to offer and contract timelines. These are especially important if in a multiple offer situation and can cause your client to miss out.
- Don’t mislead your peers as to availability. Keep MLS statuses up to date and accurate.
- Provide good customer service and service the customer.
- Your mouth can get you in trouble. Don’t talk too much. Don’t complain about your clients and customers. Don’t be belligerent or domineering. No drama or games are needed.
- Don’t be pushy with your clients or other agents. We don’t like it and neither do the clients. Look us in the eye when talking to us.
- Don’t contact the other agent’s client. It will not be appreciated and could be a Code of Ethics violation.
- Just because our clients have different objectives doesn’t justify being cantankerous, rude or uncooperative. We are all in this together to get the transaction to work.
- Present yourself as a professional and stay calm. Dress professionally and appropriately for the situation, weather and clients.
- If you are asked for feedback on a showing, it is really appreciated if you would give it.
- If you ask for feedback from other agents, don’t be rude if you don’t like what you hear.
- Use showing services to make it easier to schedule whenever possible. If not, we expect you to be very responsive to our calls, texts, emails to set up a showing. Don’t make us chase you down.
- We don’t want to know how busy you are, successful you are or how many millions in real estate you expect to sell this year. Save that talk for your partner, friend or broker.
- We don’t need to know about all the things that have gone awry in your day, week, month or life. We need to stick to business as much as possible.
- I will do my job and I expect you to do yours. That’s the way it is supposed to work.
- Do not lie or even stretch the truth.
- Do what you say you will do. Follow through in a timely manner.
- Be pleasant and don’t get an attitude or yell when difficulty presents itself. Choose your words carefully and look for solutions.
- Don’t be adversarial but show a spirit of cooperation.
- Don’t take a rejected offer personally. You are the messenger. Move on to the next.
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Don’t go into hiding to avoid conflict or because you are playing games.
- Thou shall not steal other agents’ customers.
- This is a team effort and we must pull together if we are going to get to the finish line.
- This is real business.
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