I would love to know why some agents feel it is necessary to be confrontational from the very beginning of a transaction. I guess my thoughts are that we as agents; representing sellers or buyers; have one ultimate goal. At least I know that I have one ultimate goal. Getting to the closing table with the least amount of "bumps" as possible. Now this doesn't mean that I don't take care of my clients, but I do know that their goals are the same as mine. They would like to buy/sell the home and get to the closing table too. It is my job to help them achieve that goal. However, I have had the unfortunate luck to work with some agents who are demanding, rude, not friendly, and seem to just want to boost their own egos instead of getting the transaction completed. They seem to care more about themselves than their clients. I generally just let this behavior go because creating an issue of it could possibly cause harm to my client's transaction. However; I would love to hear how some of you handle agents who act this way.
Hi Krista, Agents are just people and they range from super to stupid just like every other group. One of the great things about this business is we can pick our associates.
Thats is a very logical, practical and mature point of view! Unfortunately........realtors being 'human' too.......often have other issues they're dealing with....sometimes its just 'kick the cat' struggle, sometimes its a power struggle, sometimes they feel thats the only way they actually feel they're 'earning' their money.........maybe they've had a bad hair day, or a bad at home day.......some many different things eh? Don't you sometimes wish you could tell 'their' clients how 'they're behavin' :-) :-)
I have seen so many eganets make fools of themselves this way. By acting confrontational, they think they look more proactive in their client's eyes. They don't. Agents have a common goal and they need to work together. The successful ones with repeat business do.
I try to be courteous, friendly and professional -- but sometimes there are agents that set a tone that is difficult to correct. For instance, a buyer's agent put in an offer on one of my listed properties and wrote in an email to me "I'll be watching your timetables closely." Interestingly, any time that I've dealt with this agent, none of the timetables in the contract which that agent was responsible for meeting were met. This agent is notorious for not getting the details right. But, the tone for the remainder of the escrow was set. ~ Evelyn
I generally try to kill them with kindness first, and if that fails, I go head-to-head with them if necessary.
I go with the last response. I try to work with them, but I never let anyone take advantage of me. The main focus should be our customers.
Not to worry. They are not nasty, rude, etc. just when doing their job.
They are probably that way all the time.
It's hard to say, we cannot speak for anyone but ourselves. Has anyone tried to ask them what their problem was and if there was anything you could do to help alleviate it? I bet they would get quiet from the shock of the question.
Hi Krista . . . I know the answer. Having been in the business for 30 years.
There's typically an direct relationship between experience and politeness.
Newer agents are often (1) inexperienced (2) fearful of losing control (3) suffering from the "whipped dog" syndrome. They've been beat-up !! Now they're overly defensive.
I communicate with them the way they communicate. This is a good rule because it is how they hear the world, An aggressive person will actually respect another aggressive person. So when you meet the buldog, just be direct and to the point also and call them on it.
Krista - I do know my chare of angry agents. I also know one agent in particular (whom I won't mention), but she is near' professional when it comes to pouring the coals on another agent's head with kindness. Me being a lender I have a not so healthy CRAVING for confrontation, because those agents think they walk on water. But usually I just bite my lip.
Remember that sometimes a direct "type A" style personality may not be combattive, just more direct than you are comfortable with, (unless they are disrespectful of course) - It is hard to not take it personally, but sometimes we need to just take the high road, and do what's best for our client. Good post
Thanks for all of your opinions and ideas! I will definitely be trying out some of them! Wish me luck!
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