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Putting The REAL back into REALTOR®

Putting The REAL back into REALTOR®

I was just reminded from a fellow friend that it looks like I have finally come full circle and have gone back to being a REAL people person again. I stopped and thought for a few minutes and said to myself, wow, how right she was and what a wonderful feeling it is to be able to help people again!

When I first started in this business, I used to sit and actually chat with people. Remember when you had no MLS on the computer and you had to hand deliver listings from a book? Remember when you weren't in a hurry to get to the next appointment and could share a cup of coffee? Back then I truly cared about my client and their families. We would sit and chat for hours. With the intervention of technology, competition, etc. life has become very fast paced! In the past decade it has gotten to be more like, unlock the door, sign the papers, thank you very much sir, see you at closing.

Well short sales have grounded me and I am truly grateful for that. I now sit and share some life changing stories with my clients. I have seen it all, from a couple about to lose the wife to a brain tumor, to a wife that was beaten and left with 3 sick children and 2 of them had severe autism. How can you not sit and feel the pain when you are sitting at a table and someone tells you they have an irremovable brain tumor and have no idea how long they have, but they can't work because of the seizures and they just need to make sure the spouse is ready for their departure? Yes I am REAL again!

I'm thankful that these tough times have cleansed our system and there is less competition.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to have learned how to change my office and teach my agents to do short sales.

I'm thankful for being able to survive in these hard times.

And most importantly I'm thankful for being able to be a REAL REALTOR® again!

Agents...if you are struggling, I encourage you to find a way to learn how to do short sales. I did my first short sale about 11 years ago, so will short sales go away? NEVER! Will they lessen? Maybe after the next 2 years, but there will ALWAYS be a need for a short sales specialist in your area so why don't you start building your niche market now and relearn how what it means to truly care for people and be a REAL REALTOR?®

Posted by; Vicki Watzlawick, Broker Owner, Exit Platinum Realty, CERTIFIED Foreclosure Expert, LITH, IL

www.EndYourForeclosure.com

Posted by Vicki Watzlawick (Illinois Foreclosure Expert) on 02/02/2009 08:56 AM

Comments (58)

realtor, real estate agent, illinois foreclosures

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58 Comments on Putting The REAL back into REALTOR®

FEB

What a poignant, touching blog, Vicki! You have genuinely put the "R" bac in REALTOR®. I have limited experience with short sale, but know that they are very labor-intensive. Yes, unfortunately, they are here to stay. Your blog has motivated me to do more research on short sales. Thank you.

Good article. Probably the number one reason people choose us is they believe we care about their concerns becasue we listen to them. It is very easy to get too busy and forget the reason clients are attracted to us over other agents.

Your Queen Creek Real Estate Specialist

http://www.QueenCreekRealEstateSolution.com

Vicki, I was thinking as I read this about the up and downside of being a successful broker. When we are in a strong market (maybe for some any market) and we experience "success" by missing a step (whether it be due diligence, learning the market, continuing ed, living our values, etc) it can lead to continuing to miss that step and forget what made us successful to begin with. Thanks for the reminder and I agree -- the silver lining in a "down market".

Thanks Roseann If you need any help with short sales I'm just a phone call away.

Thanks Queen Celia! Love the URL! I was reminded of how important we are when I left ReMax and bought an Exit franchise. I was sooooooooooooooo scared that noone knew this brand here in Illinois. But I soon found out it was ME that the clients were attracted to and NOT the name. So yes, I believe if you truly CARE about people they will be your clients for LIFE! Thanks for commenting!

Thanks Kelly and may your office walls be decorated with Silver Linings these next few years.

Great perspective.

Yes, gives you pause for thought. That's why I got into real estate in the first place.

Great message Vicki! I have done a lot more short-sales and repos the past couple years, and you are so right, we need to be 'real', and let the clients know we really care, and want to help them through this very difficult time, and....if we help enough people, we may even make a living in the process. Thanks for a very touching article.

Randy

Vicki~

Being REAL is the foundation of conducting business with "people". It is very clear to all- when one is in a rush, just to get to the next appointment or date. Indeed, people do suffer and struggle through difficult times. Helping people in good times and bad- with the best, honest advice is key.

We should all take the time and be compassionate and empathetic. The tides always turn.

Mott Marvin Kornicki // Real Estate In Miami // Associate|Broker • 30 Years

Aventura // The Waterways // Bal Harbour // Sunny Isles Beach • Florida

GREAT article Vicki!

We are SO proud of you. Thanks for being a leader in this market.

Tim and Julie Harris

Vicki,

I do short sales too. I feel their pain and then their releif when it is off their backs. Yes they are dificult and labor intensive, but there is a great amount of pride and satisfaction in really helping people. My mother a realtor before me said "walk a mile in someones shoes" if you are tempted to pass judgement. I have had that gift and more and more I say "there for the grace of God go I". Great post from a real great Realtor

Very nicely written Vicki - albeit a tough topic.

'Truly caring' has been replaced by many Realtors with 'processing' their clients. This industry would do better with more like you.

Sheldon

I hear the pain you hear Vicki. I am just grateful that there are good hearted people like yourself still existent in this industry that is treated with the disdain from consumers who think we are just commission hunting scavengers.Please always be REAL and I always strive to be that too. Maybe we can help our clients and uplift the reputation of our business too

That's truly wonderful Vicki! What a heart warming message to read in the middle of all the dom and gloom. Thank you ;)

Vicki,

It is a shame but you are right short sales will be around and for awhile a good part of our business.

Nice blog, Thanks Mark

Finding that line between business and compassion is a line so very few can find. Congrats to you.

Tina in Virginia

It's sad out there, that all of these people who are trying to pay for their homes and can't due to a toxic loan and many that have these health problems and etc are being kicked to the curb in record numbers. I hear so many stories, and you can't but feel badly.

Real is good and your post is a great reminder about being thankful for what we have. It is always painful to hear about people's misfortunes. Kudos to you for helping them.

In tough times like this, we can really make a difference in helping people find the best path.

Thanks Joetta, Randy & Mott! And Tim & Julie I should be thanking you!

Hi Kelley, Your post brought tears to my eyes. There are so many sad people to help. My question is, wouldn't it be more of an answer to try and change the solution for theses people. helping them with a short sale, only leaves them without a home they worked so hard to get. If we would all to ban together to change the way the bank is selling off these properties, to new owners, for so little money.Why won't the banks to do the same for the existing owners? Think about how that would help so many. Actually it would help the realtor too. The glut of housing for sale would stop. What if the bailouts went to the homeowner, allowing them the money to pay for their loan. The bank now gets paid and the homeowner gets to keep their home.

Two very simple changes, why not? It would be wonderful if we could all help think of better ways to help people. I actually think a short sale is for the benifit of the bank and the new owner and very little relief for the existing home owner.

Thank you Rita! It sounds like your mom raised a sincere young lady that understands how to be humble and caring. Thank her for us! We need more agents like you.

Bravo Rita!

Thanks Sheldon, Rama, Sharon, Mark, Tina, Amy, Kelsey & Brian. I feel like the Romper Room lady...LOL!

Donna, I wish I were in charge of just ONE of the major lenders. I would change so much it isn't even funny. Some of these programs could be streamlined so easily. HOW hard is it to see whose falling behind after their ARMS have adjusted? So just change the loan back! But no, that's too easy, let's watch the buyer lose their home, the lender lose $100,000 in lost value and payments and pay about 12 people to handle the file during that time! I'll get off this soap box or I'll be here all night! Thanks again for commenting Donna!

Vicki - great reminder for us all! I recently listed a house for a seller who wanted a realtor who knew how to send text messages. I assumed she would also prefer to have updates and reports e-mailed. WRONG assumption. She wants me to call her. She keeps me on the phone quite a while, so I have to plan the calls accordingly, but I am back to being a real person too!

Thanks for the back to basics reminder. This is a people business and as my wife always reminds me, "This too shall pass." Keep up the good work.

Aloha from Kauai...

Evening Vickie, I still believe that behind every short or distressed sale there is a sad story !

Vickie - You brought tears to my eyes. There are so many people hurting right now, it is wonderful if we can help some - one, however many!

Today, I recieved 4 listings from a client. She picked them out of a batch I sent - ALL 4 were short sales! And, we are out looking AGAIN, because after almost 4 months since submitting an offer on a short sale - inspections done, contracts signed, $10,000 apart - the bank denied her offer. THIS is the problem I have with short sales. The bank came back and countered $3,000 HIGHER than their asking price - !!?? What the HECK!

I will continue to show short sales with a smile on my face since I know I am helping a seller out of a possible full Foreclosure, while assisting a buyer get a decent price and reaching their dream of Homeownership!

Diana

You go PAT! WOO HOO!!! Will the real Realtors® please stand up? :)

Aloha Ronnie! Thanks for checking in, I bet there aren't many foreclosures there?

They can break your heart and put a smile on your face at the same time. It can be really rewarding though.

OK Mr. Bill, I am sorry but I can NOT share that thought. I have met several people that purposely cheated the system. I have a team of investors, 3 of them, that I recently learned they take turns every 3 years short selling 1/3 of their inventory, while the other 2 are working on buying and sucking the equity out of their other porperties, then next year..partner #2 steps up to short sell his, while the previous guys credit is on the mend from the few short sales he just dumped. Get it? OMG!! And they wonder why I won't represent them! But MOST people I work with are in trouble, so for the MOST part your beliefs are correct!

Hi Vicki,

Sorry for the commercial drop....

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Tim and Julie Harris

Diana, I have never encountered a bank that would actually allow me to walk from a deal for $3000. But then I'm a tough negotiator. I usually don't take no for an answer, or in this case, I would have asked everyone to contribute a little..the buyer, the attorney , the title company and both agents. I have a really neat spreadsheet that I made that compares a short sale to a REO and I use that everyonce in a while to say hey Mr Lender are you really willing to jepardize a $42,000 loss for $3000? Really now? I wonder fi your manager would feel the same? :) I can be firm! If you are good at Excel and want a copy just email me. Wishing you all the best!

Vicki .. thanks for the reminder on how to be REAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Chris and The Woodlands! It is nice to feel real again.

And Tim Harris, you can intrude anytime! If it weren't for me stumbling upon your course, I wouldn't be where I am today! I just received the lease for office number 2! :) So I can help put the REAL back into several more agents!

Great article Vicki...you hit one out of the park. I just returned from our State Association meetings and the discussion is about 1. Getting Back to Basics of our Business 2. How do we raise the bar in our industry, before the next "up market" and 3. We need to "Take Back our Industry" and train (or retrain) others in our industry ie. those that survive. Your article hits home the importance of taking extra time to talk to our clients and each other. Thanks for the "reality check"...take care!

Thank you Diane! I am happy to hear that your Association is talking about getting back to basics and raising the bar and I hope you are all learning how to do short sales and REOs!

FEB

Hi Vicki. Short Sales may not be the way for everyone to go but the point of talking to our clients really hits home. No matter what niche market a REALTOR® specializes in, we need to keep in mind there are people behind the transactions. "Real" people that the "REAL"TOR® is helping.

I agree Catherine! It just seems in the past few years we have been so rushed that we , or I and a lot of our local agents have overlooked this. We actually had a discussion at one of our meetings as to who had done the fastest listing presentation! So a dose of how it was int he old days has slowed the pace and I am thankful for that. Thanks for being a people person!

Vicki, thanks for the insight of the true value of learning short sales. You continue to inspire me to become the best I can be so that I can help others do the same.

Fred Magnuson - Coldwell Banker - Greenwood Village

Thank you Fred! You just made my week! I wish you all the best in 2009!

Hi Vicki, You had me at "Put the Real back in REALTOR". It's so hard to see what dire circumstances many of these clients are in right now. I do anything/everything that I can to help them...

Thank you for a great reminder of why we really do the job we do.

Thank you for the nice words Marian! I am happy to hear that you care about your clients as well.

Thank you Angie!

This is what this business is truly about, helping people. My mom has told people my ENTIRE life that I have "never met a stranger" and I know this job is what I was meant to do. I know your clients appreciate your personal touch and great attitude. Best of luck in 2009.

FEB

Short sale success is gratifying.

Thanks Tammy,I love your mothers philosophy. I am going to pass that on at my next agents meeting. And the best to you in 2009 as well!

This is an excellent blog! I had just started to take my Broker course requirements when my Mom fell ill by the time I completed them I had lost my Mom and the market was in shambles. But reading this makes me truly remember that it is all about being Real and genuine. Thanks for the very much needed breath of fresh air.

Vicki (& Tammy),

I've used another version, for many years, of Tammy's mom's "I've never met a stranger". It has served me well in various sales jobs throughout my life, in my personal life, and now in my newer career as a REALTOR®, as well. It is: "A stranger is simply a friend I haven't met yet." In our business, we HAVE to be able to strike up a conversation with every "stranger" we meet and really get to know what makes them tick, make "friends" with them, and use our powers of persuasion and our negotiating (sales) skills. If we really mean it and if we do it right, we have new "friends" that we will nurture and serve again in the years to come, but will only have that privilege if we do REALLY CARE and SHOW IT!!! You are so right on, whether we're talking about short sales or any transaction or client interaction! Thanks for making us think about this!

FEB

I'm sorry for your loss Gina, in moms memory I hope you learn a lot about short sales and have a very successful year!

Thank you for sharing that Paula! I so wish there was a class that could teach that. Very few agents are able to talk to "friends they haven't met". And most don't realize that their clients could be clients for life if they just stayed in touch. 95% of the agents I interview have NO database and no idea of who their past clients were. What a shame!

Hi Vicki! Amen to what you said. I started this buisness in the height of the real estate boom in Minnesota in 2002, we just keep going and we don't take time to smell the roses as you would say. I am very sad for the people that have lost there homes, because of illness or loss of a loved one or have lost there job. I think on the positive side of this, this is a reality check for all of us to get back to basic's and spend time with our families, friends and clients in the trying time. So thank you for the wonderful story. I have two small children and a full time Realtor and I am spending time with my children in this slow market. Thanks again Valerie Vee, Counselor Realty, Inc. Coon Rapids, MN.

Val, spending time with your children when they are small is a blessing in disguise! They grow up way to quickly. So in a sense this market is helping families bond as well. Take the time and enjoy them while you can. Make your children be your roses that you always take the time to enjoy!

FEB

Working shorts sales is the most frustrating yet rewarding work I have done in a long time.

Amen to that Vanessa! These HUDS are getting soooo complicated that my head hurts trying to figure out how to dispurse the funds at times. Thanks fofr the comments!

FEB

Vicki, It's nice that you put your heart and soul as well as your mind into this business. Despite the difficult market and world, I count my blessings every day for what I have. Thank you.

Victor

FEB

Thank you Victor, I think the difficult market just got more difficult with the latest attempts from the Obama Administration. I was told yesterday from Citi that our short sale packages will take 4 to 6 weeks longer because now you no longer have to be miss a payment to do a short sale. OUCH! SO 4 months for a short sale answer. I may have heart and soul, but the patience department is getting thin! LOL Thanks again for commenting!

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