Photo courtesy of spleneticOne of the biggest mistakes most agents do is they lie to their potential clients right from the beginning. They meet someone, make promises, and set up expectations that they can't possible keep up with.

One of my favorite questions from potential buyers and sellers is, "Should I wait about six months and see what happens?" Most agents tell their clients that if they had a crystal ball, they would tell them, but their opinion is that they should buy or sell now, because you don't know what the future will bring. Give your clients the facts and let them decide for themselves. If you tell them what to do, you may be setting yourself up for a lawsuit.

I tell my clients, "If I owned a crystal ball, I wouldn't be standing here because I would be at the lottery counter buying tickets!" Don't set yourself up by promising your clients things you can't possibly deliver on. I say, under promise and over deliver is the way to true success and client happiness.



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


Todd Clark (broker w/ Ken's Home Team)
Keller Williams Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)746-9573

 

 

 

 Follow Todd Clark on FacebookVisit my websiteFollow me on Twitter



 I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard. All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.

 

What if there was a way you could search the  MLS for FREE just like Realtors

Now you can access the MLS using similar tools as Realtors. You are in control of what you want to search for, and you can search the MLS at your leisure. The information you submit in the form below can also be used to put you on an automated system where you'll be emailed all homes that meet your search criteria. You'll get internet access to a website that includes pictures, prices, and addresses to real estate that's listed in the MLS!

5 Star Professional 2011  5 Star Professional 2012

MyFreeCopyright.com Registered & Protected

 
This post has been included in Oregon Real Estate News Washington County, OR Real Estate News
Post is included in group: Addicted to Active Rain
Post is included in group: Almost Anything Goes
Post is included in group: Coaching-Personal Development
Post is included in group: Dedicated Bloggers
Post is included in group: Diary of a Realtor

15 Comments on Don’t lie to your clients!

JAN
18
2009
104,827 Points

Great Blog, with a great point!  Promising something you can not follow through with or that is beyond your control is a very bad idea.  It just sets you up to look bad if it does not play out as you promised it would. 
1:16pm • #1
285,387 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Todd, great post.  Only yesterday we had a meeting with some potential clients who asked similiar about buying.  While we could have made an easy sale it was not the right time for them (engaged) thus we built a plan to keep abreast of a certain price range, got them pre-qual'd and ready for June when they get married.
1:25pm • #2
725,700 Points 63 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Todd... Great advice.  I use the crystal ball analogy at least once or twice a day!
1:37pm • #3
1,261,550 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router

Todd

If a Realtor can't deliver it will catch up with them sooner or later.

Tom
1:55pm • #4
454,518 Points 15 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Todd, I don't make a practice of lying to my clients or potential clients. Like Tim & Pam, I tell them the truth and hope that they will choose me when they are ready.
2:03pm • #5
971,129 Points 102 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Todd, Another great post from your stockpile of great posts. Words to live by...
2:16pm • #6
1,911,248 Points 385 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Todd, I try not to overdo it when I'm setting their expactations.  Like, who knows?
2:41pm • #7
Localism Sponsor

Todd, so true! I think that you need to be upfront and not sugar coat it to get what you want.  It is about the client and truly representing them and their best interests.
3:06pm • #8
198,628 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor

Give your clients the facts and let them decide for themselves.

Todd- Good advice.  Given the same set of facts, what's right for one client may not be right for another.  Ultimately, it should be their decision.
3:51pm • #9
288,781 Points 38 Featured Posts Outside Blog

What I've found is that lying is not a one-time occurance. People lie as a habit, wether it is a small or big habit.  Those that lie, it seems to me, can't help it. I'm not saying they have an excuse. I'm saying once they start ... good luck stopping and good luck having someone believe them. Agents can do this too when working with clients. The client might not know though.
4:01pm • #10
842,598 Points 85 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Tru dat!  I think that you have to build your business on referrals for life.  Therefore, we always need to act in the CLIENT'S BEST INTERESTs, if we're going to serve OUR BEST INTERESTS.
8:26pm • #11
597,357 Points 39 Featured Posts Outside Blog

TC,

Good advice!!! And I'm not going to lie to you...I'm still mourning the Eagles loss!!! Thanks,   Fran
11:00pm • #12
438,013 Points 79 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Todd, I agree whole heartedly. And, I have an email to send. Thanks for the reminder. Oops.

Later in the rain~Deb
11:26pm • #13
JAN
19
2009
202,096 Points

I say, under promise and over deliver is the way to true success and client happiness.

Amen to that.  You will have a long, highly successful career with that approach.
1:08am • #14

some times the truth hurts...but its easier to remember the truth then it is to remember something you made up......
9:02am • #15

Login or register to leave a comment
 
Helping Families Home is a blog set up to help families find that perfect home for them. I have a family and I understand how hard it can be to find a home that everyone is happy with. Let me help you find that home and help your family home.


Find out why I'm a happy grasshopper




Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog