Home > Blogs > Lisa Heindel > New Orleans Real Estate and Community Information

That's No Way to Treat A Soldier

By Lisa Heindel

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Crescent City Living LLC Licensed LA RE Commission

September 16, 2008 02:43 PM

American flag I received an email yesterday from a couple who will be relocating to the NAS JRB New Orleans base soon. They had been in regular contact with an agent in my area who was sending them listings week after week. "Had been" being the operative words.

The agent was johnny on the spot with homes for sale - right up until the couple mentioned that they were not sure if they wanted to buy or if it would be a better choice to rent during their limited stay. All communication from the agent came to a screeching halt.

Way to represent our industry, Mr/Ms Real Estate Agent....and what a way to support our troops, too.

Too bad you didn't take the time to let them sort out what was most important to them and make an educated decision based on market information and their own personal situation.

Too bad you didn't take the time to preview some homes for them and provide some additional photos with honest feedback about the condition of the properties.

Too bad you didn't have a blog full of market statistics at your fingertips to show them what sales have been like in this particular neighborhood for the last 5 years.

Had you been just a little more patient, just a little more pro-active, then maybe in less than 24 hours after the first contact you might have received an email like this:

Lisa,

I REALLY like this house! I would definitely like to see this home right away when we meet. I will call you tomorrow so we can set up a time when I am in town next week.

Thanks!

Will they buy this house? I don't know, but I do know that they'll remember who was willing to help them no matter what direction they chose to go in. I know how to treat a soldier - do you?

Comments(40)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Latonia Parks

Top Bragg Realty, Fayetteville NC, Home of the 82d ABN DIV - Fayetteville, NC

Certified Military Relocation Expert

Gas IS high so I am having to relook the way I handle renters. I would never push them away b/c they are my extended family. Still thinking....

Sep 17, 2008 06:49 AM

Lisa Heindel

Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA

New Orleans Real Estate Broker

Amanda, thank you :)

Paul, well said. I'm happy that they found me, but sadly disappointed in the reception they received from the previous agent.

Elizabeth, perhaps they were meant to be with us? LOL!

Latonia, I understand that our cost of doing business has gone up with the gas prices. Does that mean that we cut back on services to our clients or just that we choose to not work with a particular segment of the market? That's a decision we all have to make for ourselves, but if this agent didn't want to handle rentals, then IMO she should have referred them to someone who would instead of just dropping them.

Sep 17, 2008 11:00 AM

Kim Peasley-Parker

AgentOwned Realty, Heritage Group, Inc. - Sumter, SC

Lisa, I had someone from Italy contact me about relocating to Shaw AFB and wanted a rental. I sent them rentals out of the MLS and then said if they change their mind to let me know I would love to show them homes for sale. Some agents don't realize what exactly their actions do. I figured I would help this couple and the next couple might be looking to buy and they recommend myself because I helped them find a rental.

Sep 17, 2008 12:01 PM

Lisa Heindel

Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA

New Orleans Real Estate Broker

Kim, I get inquiries about rentals from relocating military personnel all of the time. Unfortunately, it's hard to find enough listed properties to help them all, but I provide them with resources and help as many as I can. This has resulted in referrals for me to people who ARE looking to buy and those are clients I would not have had if I had turned my nose up at helping with a rental property.

Sep 17, 2008 12:40 PM

Colleen Fischesser Northwest Property Shop

NextHome Experience - Chelan, WA

A Tradition of Trust in the Pacific NW since 1990!

Lisa, I was just having on conversation with someone in my office this afternoon about the difference in mindsets between agents. Some are all about "the next deal", others are more about the service, the relationship. The 2nd group, in my opinion, are those who will have more satisfying careers with greater longevity. Kudos to you my friend!

Sep 17, 2008 02:28 PM

Michelle Tucker ~ Pooler Real Estate

!Daley Real Estate - Pooler, GA

Rincon~Savannah~Richmond Hill

Lisa: Here at Fort Rucker our rentals are really important because of the installation being a training post. I go the extra mile to help the renters. I have not had any of them decide to buy or send a buyer, but I get alot of referrals for rentals. When they come into the office, I explain how the area works as far as rentals, I present them a list of rentals that meet their request - address, amount and who holds the listing. I then give them the option if they see one that they like then they can either go to the list office or contact me and I can go by and get the key. We don't see alot of military buyers but they leave in about a year and if I give them that extra service for a rental, in a year or so when they leave, they will let me provide a referral agent for their next duty station. Keep up the great work. Keep us posted on the outcome.

Sep 17, 2008 03:20 PM

Kathy McGraw

CELLing Realty - White Water, CA

Riverside County CA Real Estate

Lisa- "walk the walk and talk the talk"....too bad so many miss out on one of the 2 :) good for you for taking the time.

Sep 17, 2008 03:51 PM

Lisa Heindel

Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA

New Orleans Real Estate Broker

Colleen, I don't know if it's the mom in me or what, but I'm compelled to take care of every one of my clients.

Michelle, yay for you! Now that is providing great service to your military clients!

Kathy, :) Thank you...

Sep 18, 2008 04:04 AM

John Walters

Frank Rubi Real Estate - Slidell, LA

Licensed in Louisiana

I wouldn't say just how to treat a soldier but how to treat any one period.

Sep 18, 2008 11:16 AM

Lisa Heindel

Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA

New Orleans Real Estate Broker

John, that is oh so true! I know you take good care of all of your clients.

Sep 18, 2008 03:53 PM

Jason Crouch

Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX

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

Lisa - I like the title of this post. Well done. I hope you get a closing from this soldier, along with plenty of other business by handling things correctly from the beginning.

Sep 18, 2008 05:26 PM

Margaret Woda

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD

Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Good for you, and good for them for realizing you are the right one to help. I don't go looking for rentals, but I help them when they come my way. In fact, just today, a neighbor I really don't know approached me about a friend who had a similar experience to these people, and she was looking for someone to help them. I gave her my card to pass on, told her about my blog, and expect to hear from them this week. Here's to both of us... may we both succeed in helping our potential renters realize their real estate goals.

Sep 20, 2008 12:22 PM

Harrison K. Long

HomeSmart, Evergreen Realty - Irvine, CA

REALTOR , GRI, Broker associate, Attorney

Lisa ... thanks for this article. Let's all remember our US soldiers and be especially willing to help them ... no matter their situation of possible renting or buying, until they choose direction. We know how to treat a solder. Best wishes. Harrison

Sep 20, 2008 04:38 PM

Michelle Bowman

Keller Williams Flagship - Stevensville, MD

MD Realtor, GRI

Amen Lisa! Having been in those boots I will tell you that what you do (and now what I do) makes a huge difference for Service Members. Stress of moving is bad enough, but when it gets close to the time to move and your "agent" stops writing you....that's aweful! I guess this "agent" doesn't understand the thoughts and decisions that military families make when they move.

Sep 21, 2008 04:58 AM

Lisa Heindel

Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA

New Orleans Real Estate Broker

Jason, thank you!

Margaret, that's kind of my take on rentals as well - I don't actively solicit them, but I'm not turning away someone that I have the ability to help. Good luck on yours too!

Harrison, I like your style :)

Michelle, I've never been in the shoes of a military family nor have I had to relocate to another state, but I DO know that if you are relying on someone to assist you it's got to be terrible to just be dropped! p.s. Thanks for your service to our country.

Sep 21, 2008 05:46 AM

Yvette Lopez-Robinson

The Real Estate Power Houses - El Paso, TX

Lisa - we have that same dilemma in our area. I've spent countless hours showing rentals even though my compensation will only be $100(if I'm lucky). Many will say what a waste of time but being that I am a military spouse I would need all the assistance I can get when re-locating to a new area. Maybe I won't buy a house then but perhaps later but I'll remember that agent that showed rentals & refer them business.

Sep 22, 2008 06:59 AM

Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089

Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI

Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

I wish you luck with your new clients. Surely in this market they are better off buying a home instead of paying rent. They just some education about their options, and you're the right person for that.

Sep 23, 2008 10:28 AM

Tiffany Burke

Group one real estate - Corpus Christi, TX

Good for you Lisa.... You will be blessed and you know you did the right thing! Shame, shame on that Realtor, I hope they read your blog.

Tiffany

Sep 23, 2008 05:42 PM

Kathy McGraw

CELLing Realty - White Water, CA

Riverside County CA Real Estate

Lisa- Did I tell you this was featured in the Week in Review?

Sep 23, 2008 07:57 PM

Lisa Heindel

Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA

New Orleans Real Estate Broker

Yvette, exactly! It's not just the "today" business, but building that referral system as well. I hope that if I provide good service, then ALL of my clients will feel comfortable sharing my name with people they know! p.s. Thank you to you and your husband for your service :)

Georgie, the jury is still out on rent vs purchase, but we are keeping all options open :)

Tiffany, LOL!

Kathy, I just saw that! I've been swamped this week and haven't really been online - THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Sep 24, 2008 07:18 AM