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I turned down another listing today, but I got two more buyers because of it

The quote was, "ALL REAL ESTATE AGENT'S ARE GREEDY BASTARDS AND THEY WILL TELL YOU ANYTHING TO GET YOU TO LIST YOUR HOME TODAY, MARK MY WORDS!" Well my past client told their friend, not my agent, he will tell me the truth. He will break it down, the pluses and minuses, and I trust him. Come over and meet him and you will see.

So without my knowledge of this potential buyer being at the listing presentation, I arrive and meet the potential seller and we all sit down and discuss the home and what they should do with it. Should they stay or should they go?

Normally, I would have broken it down to the pluses and minuses, but I had a good relationship with this couple, heck I was invited to their wedding. So, I laid it on the line...I said, "I know you want a bigger home. I know this home needs some work, but if you put this on the market you not only will have to come out of pocket to sell it, but you won't have enough money afterward to buy anything else for more than a year. Stay here, work on the home a little. Save some money and hopefully the home will go up in value in the next year and then you can buy something bigger. I just can't see you losing so much money for something that YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO!"

They looked at their friends and said, "TOLD YOU!" That is when I asked, "What was that about?" They told me the story of what he had said and that he didn't think there was an agent out there that was ethical and would do what was right for their client. I impressed this guy and now we have him pre-approved and we looked at two houses today and then he told his friend at work about me and we start looking next week..

I know my first principle broker would have said, "LIST, LIST, LIST, no matter what!" But, there is a reason I'm no longer with that principle broker. Sometimes you have to do what is right for the client, not what is right for you. And sometimes, it pays you back for making that decision.

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Posted by Todd Clark (Broker/Sales Coach), GRI (Beaverton, Oregon Real Estate Expert) on 12/01/2008 10:45 AM

Comments (54)

Selling in the Home Selling Channel

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Originally posted at: Living Beaverton - Your guide to everything Beaverton: I turned down another listing today, but I got two more buyers because of it

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54 Comments on I turned down another listing today, but I got two more buyers because of it

DEC

Not sometimes...all the time.

When you put the clients best interest first...the rest takes care of itself.

Nice work...you just being you is creating momentum.

Now that's how to do this job! Well done to you and I think you should send your Mother some flowers for raising you so well :0)

Well done! You just described the realtor's role in the 21st century, which is a consumer centric model.

Hey, Todd. Honesty always pays and you always have to do the right thing for your clients. Great job!!! All my best, Jim

WEll I think that was a better trade off. 2 for one trade off. :)

very well done.

Excellent, Todd! Keep it going.

Thanks Todd for being a true example of what it means to be a Realtor - not just in today's market, but at all times. If I was not a Realtor, and needed one, I'd be giving you a call after reading your blogs. Good work.

Great job Todd. What could you expect when you are honest with someone? I like your attitude.

Todd

Good Job. Walking away from listings is necessary if they don't sell these days.

Tom Braatz

U R Awesome. Those R the kind of stories I love to hear.

I agree 100%! The Golden Rule never fails, does it?? Great job, Todd!!

Doing the right thing will come back to haunt you. In a very nice way. I have turned down more listings this year than I have taken. Only one of those listed in spite of my advice.

Todd, Let's all do what's right for the clients all the time. It's also what's right for us. I'm glad you did and I try to always do that too. I walk away from listings all the time for one reason or another and I know it's the right thing to do. I still have a great inventory and I can sleep at night.

Excellent. I wish more agents would think like you do, Todd. So many will just take the listing at a ridiculous price in hopes of getting leads off it, not with any real idea of selling it.

Todd: great post and you ALWAYS have to do what's best for the client. good service wins smiles all the time. good to go!

Great!! This is what's happening out here. We find that this approach shortens the sales cycle.

Good job, that's the way to be honest and ethical.

This most certainly was the right thing to do. So many agents are so desperate that they take the listing and HOPE that it it will sell and if it doesn't they can ask the client for a price reduction.

Todd -

It is good to hear of times that doing the right thing paid off monetarily!

I have recently had some serious conversations on two listing appointments and did not get the listing on either. Why? I told my clients what I would do in the same situation and they are taking my advice at this point.

I may have lost a listing at this point in time but you always have to do what is right for the client. That is how you live with yourself and how you gain your honest reputation.

Good for you. Honesty, integrity and ethics can be felt a mile away. Way to prosper!

Sometimes a good deal is not getting into a bad deal.

I love that. I would have done the same thing and not felt bad. That is cool that you gat a buyer out of it too! Great work. Way to know your job

Todd, CONGRATULATIONS! This is exactly how the world should and will work, if we all keep our sights on the right things. Problem is, we are the minority, and the others give the public perception that we're ALL greedy.

'Sometimes you have to do what is right for the client, not what is right for you' is the motto we all should live by, except I'd remove the word 'sometimes.' Great job my man!

Honesty is the best policy! Too often we see homes on the market that will never sell at an inflated price in today's real estate climate. You did the right thing!

In the past 6 months I have turned down 3 listings. All houses that I have sold in the past few years, but they can't be sold for what they paid right now. Once things turn around I should have a bunch of listings.

It's called integrity. Good for you, great post and glad it got featured in the newsletter. I don't really call it a loss when the people just can't financially sell or move on. It's just reality.

If you are in real estate for the long run, thats the way to go..

So many agents are trained list, list, list, then go to work on the price. That isn't looking out for the client. In fact it can jeopardize their well being. I'm glad your cliients recognize your value

Love it. Good work, Todd. Need to catch up with you on the status of Oregon real estate.

Great job. Doing the RIGHT THING should not be as hard as it is for many agents. Putting the client first ... you'll always win in the end.

And I thought I was the only one telling people who don't HAVE to move to sit tight for a while. Glad to know I am not alone!

Glad to hear you went with your gut!

Nice post Todd, when we do the right thing, we get the benefits sometimes inmediately. You obviously did stay firm to your beliefs and it paid off, we all must be reminded that we must do to others what we want others to do to us!

Antonio

Hi Todd,

Great story! In addition to the ethical reason for not taking an overpriced listing, I also think that those who do will soon find themselves in another career. Buyers and sellers need to hear the truth now more than ever. Nice work!

Best regards,
Mike

Good for you. Your honesty and great advise will get you better referrals (with less stress). Got to tell you that picture you got there is a little scarry...

Hi Todd... Congratulations. It's all because of the great real estate karma you create when you treat people with respect and ethical behavior! Great post!

TC,

These are different times and require different advice!!! Good post!!! Thanks, Fran

DEC

Todd,

Good for you. So many times it doesn't work out that quickly.

I am worried about the guy in the picture though. Is he okay?

Sounds like your good kharma is back on track after foundering from your post last week.

People can smell desperation and taking overpriced listings is desparate...it will hurt your reputation in the long run. Good job!!!

Great picture!! And yes, I have told the "truth" to the last 3 listings because I just don't see why I should do hours of listing work for a seller who is not going to be realistic either.

In this market you should only tell people to list if they have too otherwise they will end up losing money. You did the right thing.

Todd,

Great post! I am not sure why some people think real estate agents are one step lower than a used car salesman (well may I do but that is another story) but as professional agents we can and MUST make the welfare of our clients or in this case potential client our top priority and we must be more diligent it conveying that message.

It is in everyone's best interest to do so.

Win the day!

Mike

I agree with your philosophy Todd.........all realtors are not unethical after all!

Great Job! It is fabulous to hear of people making good decisions for their clients, not just for their pocket books. Guiding your clients ethically can actually be better financially and gives a great reputation as it obviously gets people talking.

Great story, Todd. Your honest advice in the past got you a referral you didn't even know about!

I love this story, Todd. Great job - integrity always pays off.

Hi Todd,

Congratulations are in order. An over priced listing is just that, "A Listing!" We too turn down listings that aren't in line with the market. Overpriced listings yield a no win situation to everyone concerned.

To be up front and honest with a prospective seller is the only way to be. You have found that fact for yourself and have gained the respect of at least three in the instant case and many more to come.

Todd, that was a nice post and what I find interesting is that you did the right thing and in todays world that is so unexpected...strange isn't it? Keep up the great work!

DEC

Todd, Loved the photo, it woke me up first thing this morning with a chuckle and a smile. You were tested and past, sad that not all can admit that!

Todd, Anyone who is not afraid to post a photo of themselves like that is obviously NOT going to be pulling the wool over any clients eyes either...HAHA, thanks for the giggle! Keep on doing the right thing!

The truth of market reality and issues that people face are all you can trade on. Anything else is just a hoaxes.

Richard

DEC

Inspiration. Wow doing the right thing and karma is making it pay off. Plus if you do the right thing you can sleep better.

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