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It's ISN'T Our Fee Or What We DO. It's What (And Who) We Know.

By
Commercial Real Estate Agent with Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker AZ BR 528507000

It Isn't Our Fee Or What We Do.

It's WHAT (AND WHO) We KNOW

 

Truth be told, I don't go out on many listing appointments where whether I will secure the listing is in question, thanks to years of networking and connections reverberating out into space. 

 

When a seller prospect asks, "What will you DO for me to earn your fee?", of course we discuss a customized marketing plan for that client and property, and all the essentials.

 

BUT.

It never was, isn't and never will be about WHAT WE DO.

This is a 'Me Too' biz, and although our approach is somewhat different than many, all of the obligatory and required elements for marketing, representation, negotiation, transaction management are all present . . .

Our value was, is and always will be in

WHAT-AND WHO-we KNOW.

 

We know who sucks at inspections, surveying, soil testing, well and septic and roof certs - and who is fabulous.


We know who can fix a leak, not charge a fortune and do a great job quickly.

 

We know the right people at City and County, Fire and Environmental Health and direct numbers to the local utility company angels, to bypass bureaucracy and get approvals on occupancy and other permits in a hurry. Others will suffer a CSR at a call center who knows NOTHING about what needs to be discovered. 

 

AND . . . we probably already know who would be interested in your property.


Story: A client came to me for help. A local politician friend of his REALLY REALLY wanted a property that was in multiple offers. I knew the listing agent really well - she convinced seller to take our (excellent) deal and knew we would make their life easy during escrow. We got it, and a good time was had by all. You don't get to do that without connections.

 

Is it fair? NOPE. Is life? Deal with it!

 

So before you hire the discounter whose only skill is in racing to the bottom, consider this.

 

It truly IS what - and who -  you know!

 

🎶Baby you look like somebody . . .

who to know 🎶

Comments(34)

KanDo Organization
The KanDo Organization LLC - Tulsa, OK
Helping you find more time in your life!

The crux of this article carries over into many fields. Too often people think they're getting a good deal by hiring the least expensive provider. Then when they run into issues, they realize they could have avoided them by connecting with someone who knows the lay of the land, so to speak. 

Oct 28, 2019 01:55 PM
Candice A. Donofrio

Very few true 'insiders' and even they have their work cut out for them!

Oct 28, 2019 08:00 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

OMG, L M A O reading some of the comments!

You know, it absolutely IS who you know and it absolutely IS who you advise your sellers NOT to accept in a multiple Offer situation because they are inflammatory ______es and so difficult to deal with, they'll make their lives miserable!

It is absolutely who you know when representing a seller and _____ inspector who you KNOW his MO is selected by their buyer. That's when you start hustling to convert one of the others in the multiple Offer situation to a back-up! 

Being one who is out and about more than in my home office and consistently an active part of the community, I am keenly aware at how important who I know is to my clients. 

Great post, Candice. I'm loving all of these posts you're sharing, girl!

Oct 28, 2019 08:00 PM
Candice A. Donofrio
Being stuck rebuilding my database has had me dusting off a lot of drafts! Literally dozens in my database. I may never stop. Y'all been warned!
Oct 28, 2019 08:09 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

And, OMG, I couldn't agree more that with Barbara Todaro! We hear that braggadocious 'degree' attitude and often because of their attitude, no one wants to get to know them!

Oct 28, 2019 08:04 PM
Candice A. Donofrio
I like clever people with a wicked sense of humor. I don't care if they have 10 doctorates or didn't graduate from high school. If they can fix a car or computer, they're better than me. If they will protect the weak and vulnerable, then they're better than me.
Oct 28, 2019 08:17 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Well, glad to see the dust coming off - the same principle applies. With this post, be kind, do the right thing and the 'who you know' will welcome you with open arms and they'll also move mountains for you when you need them. 🏔 ⛰ 

Oct 28, 2019 08:22 PM
Candice A. Donofrio
❤❤❤
Oct 28, 2019 08:37 PM
James (Jim) Lawson, DBA
DomainRealty.com LLC - Bonita Springs, FL
Broker Associate, RSPS, BPOR, HI & PE

Every transaction is a potential minefield if not handled right. Experience can get you to closing escrow unscathed and who you know certainly helps. Thanks for reminding us in your witty way Candice. This is a people business for sure and that includes not hooking up with clients that can give you nightmares!  

Oct 28, 2019 11:49 PM
Candice A. Donofrio

I have a real low tolerance for nightmares! LOL

Oct 29, 2019 05:19 AM
Sham Reddy CRS
Howard Hanna RE Services, Dayton, OH - Dayton, OH
CRS

Very well put, thanks for sharing!

It never was, isn't and never will be about WHAT WE DO. This is a 'Me Too' biz, and although our approach is somewhat different than many, all of the obligatory and required elements for marketing, representation, negotiation, transaction management are all present . . . Our value was, is and always will be in WHAT-AND WHO-we KNOW.

Oct 29, 2019 04:29 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

Thank you!!!

Oct 29, 2019 05:19 AM
Scott Seaton Jr. SLS Home Insp
SLS Home Inspections-Kankakee Will Iroquois Grundy Counties - Bourbonnais, IL
The Home Inspector With a Heart!

I get price shoppers calling all the time. Standard line is this.... "Many of our customers have come from our competitors. Turns out low price wasn't the bargain they thought. We want you as a customer for life. And we do that with great service anda price that's a great value. But we aren't for everyone, some people don't care about the service or the results, they only care about the price."

Oct 29, 2019 07:34 AM
KanDo Organization

Scott Seaton Jr., price is all too often the only thing some people look at. I get that because I have a budget I must stay within too. But sometimes a buyer has to look beyond the often small differences in cost to see the value they're likely to receive. There is a difference in value between cheap and reasonable.

Oct 29, 2019 09:01 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

Truth. Lucky for the pennywise, there's a solution for everyone. May not be a great solution . . . but . . . LOL

Oct 29, 2019 07:43 AM
Steffy Hristova
HomeSmart Elite Group Tempe AZ Tel: 602.710.8161 - Tempe, AZ
Tempe AZ Realtor - Your Home Close to Your Work!

Yes, this is so well said, and I read it several times and copied it here, too. Great blog post, Candice!

It never was, isn't and never will be about WHAT WE DO. This is a 'Me Too' biz, and although our approach is somewhat different than many, all of the obligatory and required elements for marketing, representation, negotiation, transaction management are all present . . . Our value was, is and always will be in WHAT-AND WHO-we KNOW.

Oct 29, 2019 07:37 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

Taught to me by my first broker: "Here's what you say when they say you don't 'do that much' for what you get paid . . . "

Oct 29, 2019 07:44 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Love your perspective and think it is a good challenge for all of us here how we approach real estate. Love John Henry's question, I am not a great one to remember all those tunes.

Oct 29, 2019 07:38 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

John is the coolest guy! LOL
And so are you! 

Oct 29, 2019 07:44 AM
Stephen Turner
House Broker Realty - York, PA
The BIG Guy of NEW HOME SALES

This article really hit home. This business is about connections. The connections we have, the connections we can make and how we can use our connections to help others! Thanks for doing a great job expressing that!

Oct 29, 2019 08:29 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

Thank you! It really is. 


 

Oct 29, 2019 08:45 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

This is becoming more and more true as time goes by, Candice A. Donofrio ... as there are many in business, but few actually facilitating and transacting it properly.  What we know and who we know counts ... greatly ... and prospective clients need to be aware of that and choose professionals accordingly.

Gene

 
Oct 29, 2019 09:26 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

A lot of folks left the business after the mid-2000s bust when all they formerly did was 'take orders'. Now they're back, some are brokers hiring new agents who don't know anything and the only training is 'sell sell sell'! LOL 
Consumers should ask a lot of questions!

Oct 29, 2019 02:23 PM
Elva Branson-Lee
Solid Source Realty GA - Atlanta, GA
CDPE - Atlanta Real Estate & Short Sale Agent

Thanks for this entertaining and encouraging post, Candice.

Oct 30, 2019 06:36 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

Thank you!

Oct 30, 2019 06:56 AM
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

Candice A. Donofrio well said post. After 30 years + I do feel it is who you know and our experience. 

Oct 30, 2019 06:37 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

Absolutely!

Oct 30, 2019 06:56 AM
Gordon Crawford
Gordon Crawford Home Selling Team - Morristown, NJ
Your Morris County Specialist!

Great post Candice and I couldn’t agree with you more!  I’ve been at this business for 47 years and can get just about anything taken care of in a heart beat. 

Oct 30, 2019 06:50 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

47 years! I bet you can do magic tricks!

Oct 30, 2019 06:57 AM
L. Scott Ferguson
Ask4Ferguson - Your House-SOLD Name in Real Estate - West Palm Beach, FL
Sunny Florida Real Estate Professional

Candice!  tomorrow is 21 years in the crazy business of Real Estate and this is the BEST blog I've read!  I'm going to post this everywhere!  Every word was on point and soooo damn true!

 

Blessings!

Oct 30, 2019 08:30 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

Well damn! Congratulations and salutations!

Oct 30, 2019 08:46 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

You struck a nerve with this blog!  I agree--and also try to emphasize with clients that my reputation is solid (as far as I know!) with other agents--they want to work with me unlike some who have a poor reputation.  That matters!

Oct 30, 2019 09:31 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

It does. Make it easy and efficient and other agents will try hard to sell your other properties or bring you buyers!

Oct 30, 2019 09:46 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Candice, I enjoyed reading this post today. I agree, so true! My name and reputation are finally getting out there in this small area of 4500 people. SO many out of state people are moving to Greenbrier County and it has been a very busy year.

Oct 30, 2019 10:54 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

Glad to hear!

Oct 30, 2019 11:16 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Hey Candice I don't recall anybody ever saying - is that all you do.  They all know how much goes on behind the scenes (kind of know to a certain point) they know I know all the best, and most honest folks to help out.....don't need to go on. It as a joke when a sellers attorney friend says to him.....she doesn't know anything you need to hire my guy.  Really?  I just started laughing. Who needs that BS. Hire a discounter I don't care!! Their loss.

Nov 02, 2019 01:24 PM
Candice A. Donofrio

Totally.


I will never forget a guy, LOL poster child for CA EOE arrogance. Held a high position he didn't earn with a very low level of self esteem. 


Sold them a home. They wanted to buy the one next door too. It looked abandoned. I told him I'd make an attempt to hook him up. He told me "Of course you will be paid (a STUPID LOW NUMBER) BECAUSE YOU WON'T HAVE TO DO MUCH." 


I patted him on the shoulder and said, we'll have a discussion later about what my time and knowledge are worth.


He then tried to 'go around me' . . . the property's owner had been institutionalized and had a tax lienholder who was . . . an agent in my office! 

She and my broker (her daughter, LOL) were in the loop. And told him that he could not have the property for any price! 


What and who you know. LOL

Nov 02, 2019 01:37 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Congratulations on a well deserved feature!!!!

Dec 03, 2019 03:26 PM
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

Hi there,

 

Thank you for this great take on what our value is as agents.

Dec 11, 2019 10:53 PM