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All Matches Are Not Made In Heaven

By Gary Woltal

Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

August 28, 2008 10:36 AM

Mismatch One of my keys to serenity in my world is recognizing when to let go of things. I believe in being ok with things that have gone haywire for whatever reason. Take the Realtor-Client relationship. Clients screen Realtors but you know Realtors and Stagers for example should screen ALSO their clients.

ALL MATCHES ARE NOT MADE IN HEAVEN.

There are ideal, optimum, and way off the mark matches for you and us all. A geographically distant, across the city client is not a match. An unfamiliar area or specialty product like farm and ranch, luxury, or short sale that you are clueless about is not a match.

Most importantly, let's talk chemistry. Say you have a relo buyer who is highly demanding. A seller who calls you up five times a day wondering why the house hasn't sold yet. Life is too short to be paired up with these people. Refer them to your favorite enemies.

What about your marriage or love life? You're kind of on your own working that pairing out like going through life with the adventurer and the stick in the mud conservative. You get the picture.

The point is, it is ok to be not ok with the pairings. Keep matching yourself up with what works best for you and you'll live your life with a whole lot more winning combinations.

So, are you good at steering yourself away from the mismatches? Or do you take them all on in a martyr like sense? I'm just wondering where you are on the learning curve.

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Chris Griffith

Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL

Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent

Life is too short to be paired up with these people. Refer them to your favorite enemies.

I am in the process of doing this very thing right now. I abhore working with people that don't get me. It's not worth it.

Aug 28, 2008 11:37 PM

Allison Stewart

St.Cloud Homes - Saint Cloud, FL

St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904

GARY

Very Well said. I agree completely.

Aug 28, 2008 11:52 PM

Anonymous

Sonya

I really enjoyed reading your point of view. After several years I finally stopped taking on every customer I met and I have actually had the courage to let a couple go because it was just not worth it!

Aug 28, 2008 11:57 PM

#29

Jennifer Fivelsdal

JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY

Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Gary - This is so true; if you are working with a client and the chemistry is not right you will both be miserable. I prefer to pass them on to someone else or I have found it necessary to terminate the relationship on occasion. Once someone called my office, he wanted to buy a house but right upfront he told me he would not work with a women, this person had a professional job and offered services to the public. After getting over the initial shock of the statement, I realized he was doing me a favor, I sure wouldn't want to spend a moment with such an individual.

Aug 29, 2008 12:18 AM

Nannette Turner

eXp Realty LLC - Lynchburg, VA

Online Marketing Home Ownership Advocate Specialis

Gary if I'm not good at anything else I am pretty good at seeing a train wreck when it is coming. Sizing up folks and determining who I can work with and who I can't is a skill that is acquired by many many train wrecks.

Aug 29, 2008 12:34 AM

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD

Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Nannette, I just sent you an email after finding out that you cover Danville, Va... where I am originally from. Small world.

Aug 29, 2008 12:47 AM

Lisa Friedman

Alliance Realtors - Bedminster, NJ

Central New Jersey Real Estate

Love Michelle's comment on the $500 aggravation surcharge - that is classic! Also like her comment about being booked for three months solid...

Aug 29, 2008 01:19 AM

Patrick Randles

Nova Home Loans - Tucson, AZ

This makes a good point. Initially, when I got into the business, I wanted to be "all things to all people". I called on every agent I could find. (I am an L.O.) The reality of it is that low dollar commercial loans are not my specialty. Do I want to solicit business from agents who end up doing lots of sub prime type deals? Not really. I've done a bunch of quotes on manufactured houses but never closed one. I could learn more than the basics of construction loans but is it a good use of my time? Be good at what you do and be honest with everyone when they work with you. I quit calling on the over-aggressive agents.

Aug 29, 2008 01:59 AM

William Feela

WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN

Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Gary...I always tell my clents that the reason fo rthe time frame on contract is that incase they don't like me after the time is up they can go else where. BUT, I also tell them that it works the other way also, if I don't like their attitude, I can go away. Most get a checkle out of this comment. But, I am serious on my side!

Aug 29, 2008 02:54 AM

Patricia Beck

RE/MAX Properties, Inc., ABR, GRI, SRES - Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs Realty

Refer them to your favorite enemies...LOL! You are right, we don't have to work with clients who don't work well with us. Many agents put up with disrespectful or energy sucking clients because they really need the business...not a good idea.

Aug 29, 2008 04:37 AM

Patricia Harris

Celtic Realty - Dunedin, FL

Gary, I wholeheartedly agree with you about being discerning in both your Professional and in your private life. I do have a tendency to talk with a lot of foks, some who turned out to be a huge waste of time. And, in my private life, I kissed a lot of frogs. So glad I didn't settle though, and just got married two weeks ago to a real find. We really clicked when we met and that old "love at first sight" kicked in. We waited for two years before tying the knot but he was definitely worth waiting for. With age comes wisdom...peace

Aug 29, 2008 04:47 AM

Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA

Put 40 years of experience to work for you

I have certain agents I refer clients to when it's obvious I am not a good match for them and vice versa. The I-know-everything-and-you-know-nothing control freaks, I send to an agent who is also a lawyer. That shuts them up. The-you-must-bow-down-to-me-and-worship-the-ground-I-walk-on, I send to a different agent who can play submissive because she likes to see her bank account grow. I don't play roles with my clients. I am direct. If they don't like my approach or they are a psycho (and I've had a few psychos), I send them to an agent who has the time and patience to deal with their quirks.

I have enough stress and life is too short to waste on people who don't appreciate your expertise.

Aug 29, 2008 01:12 PM

Debe Maxwell, CRS

Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC

The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Gary: You know, it is always best to surround yourself with positive people and clients are certainly no different. I can generally tell if a client/agent relationship will be a good fit but, sometimes I am blown away as we move through the 'relationship!' I always wind up with completing it but, learn another lesson in 'what-to-look-for' in a client! Great post, as always!

Debe in Charlotte

Aug 29, 2008 03:09 PM

Scott M. Stulich

Signature Realty Group, LLC. - Dundalk Sparrows Point, MD

"REALTY becomes REALITY"

Gary how true is this. It's always a pleasure to read such words of wisdom.

Aug 30, 2008 12:41 AM

Teresa Harris

Lake Real Estate, LLC - Denver, NC

Denver . Lake Norman . Charlotte

Gary, you are bound to have 100% satisfied clients and I am sure that running your business probably seems like not having a job at all. You have no idea how many times I have seen and heard of this miss match situation. Agents not wanting to give up a client because they think they need the money and then they end up pulling their hair out. It's really a wonder that we don't see a lot of bald people! I'm sorry but I don't need that type of conflict going on. Great post Gary!

Aug 30, 2008 02:09 PM

Mara Hawks

First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL

Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

Oh man I needed to hear this! I fill in too many of the blanks with "hope" instead of "action plan". Hopefully I can make my learning curve a sharper turn--- I plan to, anyway...

Aug 31, 2008 03:04 AM

Fred Chamberlin

Guild Mortgage Co - Oak Harbor WA - Oak Harbor, WA

Oak Harbor/Whidbeynulls, #1 Experienced FHA Mortgage Consultant

Gary, one of my most demanding clients became one of my most loyal clients when I fired him. Interesting how life works.

Aug 31, 2008 03:36 AM

Jason Crouch

Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX

Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Gary - I generally steer clear of mismatches whenever possible, although occasionally I want to prove that I can "make it work". :)

Aug 31, 2008 04:23 AM

Pam Pugmire

Silvercreek Realty Group - Meridian, ID

Meridian Idaho Real Estate

Wow, those are some boots!

I sometimes have a hard time saying no to demanding clients. I don't want to come off rude.

Aug 31, 2008 02:22 PM

Terrylynn Fisher

Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA

HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.

Life is too short to spend your time trying to make a square peg fit a round hole when someone else who is a square will speak their language. I too get past client and referral business and it's people like me who like how I work. Very rewarding.

Aug 31, 2008 07:28 PM