After nine years as a full-time Realtor, suffice it to say I've learned a few hard lessons.

One of the most difficult lessons I've learned is to not take anything for granted. And yet, every once in a while,  I still get burned by something which seems like the most obvious thing in the world.

A few weeks ago, I was discussing a closing with a buyer, and he began making references to the closing attorney coming to his (the buyer's) office for the closing. When I began to explain that buyers and sellers go to the  attorneys office for closings (hence the purpose of an attorney having an office), the gentleman became a little agitated, and told me that the attorney was the employee in this transaction, and that he (the attorney) needed to be a little more responsive to the needs of the client.

I successfully explained the situation, and we moved on with the closing.

The moral, I suppose, to the story is that we just can't take anything for granted. I don't want Active Rain readers to think I am lampooning this buyer for believing real estate attorneys drive all over town conducting transactions. I understand that what seems like the most obvious thing in the world to me could be Greek for a first-time buyer or seller.

Years ago, an agent friend of mine told me of the time his buyer's were outraged when they discovered their earnest money check was actually deposited into an account. They thought it would be "held" until closing. The check, of course, bounced.

As we all work through this tough real estate market, hopefully this anecdote will give us another opportunity to think of the value we bring to a transaction. We are not just contract writers. We are the experts. We are the ones explaining every aspect of the real estate sales process. 

Our clients are dependent on our expertise. That's an awesome responsibility.

Have a great day.