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Mona Lisa smile

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with CastNet Realty TREC#263257

I have a Mona Lisa smile inside but I am not letting it show on the outside.  In fact, my countenance is serious but gentle.  Having a poker face is what I was always told to have when negotiating contracts.

There is always time for celebrating after the deal is closed!                                                          

Then it's a party!  Laughing and bragging and telling the tales.

Beforehand, no. 

Don't get caught counting your chickens before they hatch, my Mom used to say.  It's not done until it is done.  Be sure and cross your T's and dot your I's.  There is a lot to completing a sale not just getting the contract accepted.  There is lots of work to do from this point on.  Do all you can and make sure the rest gets done by the persons responsible for doing all the steps.  If not, it may come back to bite you.

I watch my contracts closely from start to finish.  I realize many of you do not.  You write the contract, escrow it and pick up your check when it is closed.  That may be the reason why nationwide, 30% of contracts fall off.  Take care of the little things and the rest will take care of itself.  This old saying does apply to contracts as well.  I have saved so many that were on the verge of falling apart with just a little work and personal attention to detail.  Isn't this a more cost effective way of doing business?

I've worked too hard to let my contracts fall off when a little TLC could keep them alive.  Hope you have lots of Mona Lisa smiles inside.  Some of mine are about to bust out laughing.  It's a great week for closings.

Ricki Eichler Real Estate, your Texas Hill Country connection                     www.reretx.com

511 Junction Hwy                                      Kerrville, TX                          (830)257-2520

Comments (13)

Mahesh Mike Patel
First Team Real Estate - Anaheim Hills, CA
Call Me And Consider It Done!

Use smiles to your advantage.. I wish I had a smile like yours....

Mike Patel

Aug 21, 2010 05:47 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Ah we've all had the deal fall apart the day before the close....great post, I'll keep my Mona Lisa Smile on too. :)

Aug 21, 2010 05:49 AM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Thank you Mike,  Your smile is nice too.

Hi Karen,  It hurts when that happens but smiling helps us keep a good atttitude. :)

Aug 21, 2010 05:52 AM
Julissa Jumper
Select Properties of Fayetteville, LLC - Fayetteville, NC
Fayetteville, NC Real Estate

Ricki: Congratulations on your great week! Yep, we've all learned about counting chickens...

Unfortunately, I never did have a poker face.

Aug 21, 2010 05:57 AM
Diane Casale
Coldwell Banker First, Huntsville, AL - Huntsville, AL
REALTOR®, ABR®, CNAS®, SNP, Selling North Alabama

Great post! You are so right! Even though YOU do everything plus more, deals could still fall apart because of the other side. I NEVER count on anything. Love the Mona Lisa smile!!

Aug 21, 2010 06:16 AM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi Julissa,   You have a great smile even if you dont have a poker face :)

Hi Diane,  You are right, about the other side.  The best thing is to have so many deals working, one doesn't kill you.

Aug 21, 2010 06:33 AM
Nell Lindner
American Realty, Lake Jackson, TX - Lake Jackson, TX
Brazosport Area Specialist

Great advice, Ricki! I agree with Diane about watching out for the other side. It really pays to stay on top of things.

Aug 21, 2010 08:16 AM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi Nell,  You are right about that. It pays!

Aug 21, 2010 08:35 AM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Ricki... I can't picture you not smiling, but you are correct, sometimes it is best to smile on the inside and wait for the appropriate time to let it show.

Aug 21, 2010 10:04 AM
Carl Winters
Canyon Lake, TX

I always knew that behind that smile there were some underlying creative energies working. You are right, cross every T; dot every I and check it twice.

Aug 21, 2010 01:51 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi Steve,  That is true.  I usually smile all the time.  I love smiling.  It helps my attitude and my day goes better for it.  That special joyous smile though has to wait sometimes. :)

Hi Carl & Ceil,  My smile comes from the fact I am free, to be me, to do all I want to do, to experience highs and lows, to help others,  to be a part of others lives in a way so many people can never know.  I love my job.  It affords me opportunities others only dream about.  Everyday is an opportunity to meet someone new and experience a transaction like no other before.  I get to view homes and land and hear stories and share stories.  It is a wonderful life!

Aug 21, 2010 03:58 PM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Ricki,

You are so right there are so many things to take care of and so many things that can go wrong.

My first brokers adbice was "assume no one is going to do their job except you".

Aug 21, 2010 10:26 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi Richard,  That is a good assumption!  Never forget it and never be disappointed :)

Aug 22, 2010 12:33 PM