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Why Details Matter

By
Real Estate Agent with Atlas Property Group and Abbey Church Properties

I am trained as a nurse practitioner and still work part time in an emergency department. Benefits, you know. Anyway, we see a large volume of people that are not at their best.  It is easy to become very jaded.

The other day, I was presented with a chart by a triage nurse who said, "He's got the man-flu". Man flu, for those of you who are not familiar with the term, is any man who comes to the emergency room thinking he's dying because he's coughing and or vomiting and or has a fever and or has body aches all over. This same nurse told the nurses who would be taking care of the patient that it was a "man flu".

Well I looked at the chart before I went in to see the patient. He was 34 years old with a markedly increased heart rate, lower blood pressure than we would expect, and his oxygen levels were also lower than expected for a young man. I thought "this guy doesn't have the man flu, he's sick"

When I went in to examine the patient it was clear to see that he was sick. It ended up that he did not have our typical man flu but rather had a significant pneumonia and had to be admitted to the hosital.

The moral of this story is to always look at each situation as unique. Don't prejudge. And be very, very careful in the evaluation of the situation. If you do not do this "due dilligence" you run the risk of missing something. That includes missing a buyer you could get qualified, or a property that is better than it looks, or an inspection report that reveals a potential problem for your buyers, or paperwork that is incomplete or not signed when you go to closing.

You can call this whatever you want: due diligence, OCD, or anal retentive. Whatever you call it, if you want to serve your clients well and stay out of trouble, it's a good practice to adopt.

Show All Comments Sort:
Cathie Szmon
Sutton Group, first choice realty ltd., Brokerage - Saint Marys, ON

Lisa - Good post.  Details always matter.  I think my husband sometimes gets the 'man flu'.  Now I know what to call it!  All the best this year.

Jan 03, 2010 07:37 AM
Mary Sitton Real Estate Team
Mary Sitton Real Estate Team - - Hendersonville, NC
RealtorĀ® - Western North Carolina

Lisa- This man was lucky to have you be an advocate for him.  I've learned the hard way to document everything.  Your post was another great reminder.

Jan 03, 2010 07:37 AM
Suzy Morris
The Morris Team - Carlsbad, CA

Excellent lesson for all of us in your post, Lisa.  How many times have we all pre-judged a situation only to be wrong? 

Jan 03, 2010 07:37 AM
Rob Thomas
Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN
Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

Lisa...great comparison. I don't think we can ever be too careful.

Jan 03, 2010 08:08 AM
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"

I am guilty of this myself, waiting until my cold is full blown bronchitis, great anaogy!

Jan 04, 2010 03:55 PM
Mark L. Ostrovsky
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Beachwood, OH
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Very intereresting story with an excellent moral. But how on earth do you find the time to juggle both careers?

Jan 05, 2010 11:19 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

This is a great reminder to watch what we say.  Obviously you took a second look to see what was wrong.  Good for you for stepping up to bat.

Jan 05, 2010 01:16 PM
Lisa Walston
Atlas Property Group and Abbey Church Properties - Greenwood, IN

Mark,

Juggling both is challenging. I am fortunate to have a great team both places. Couldn't do it without my friends.

Jan 06, 2010 01:30 AM
Charlie Gantz
Keller Williams Commercial, Tampa Bay - Saint Petersburg, FL
J.D., M.B.A.

I hope there is also a "woman flu" that has suspect symptoms.  Just kidding.  Excellent post.  Paying attention to the details, which are often obscure, will keep most realtors out of trouble.  Charlie Gantz, Greenwood, IN; J.D., M.B.A.; Owner/Principal Broker, Atlas Commercial Real Estate, LLC

Jan 13, 2010 07:32 AM