One of those big auto companies said Quality is Job 1!
As REALTORs®, we'd say Job 1 for us is telling the Truth to our clients. 
It starts with the first phone call and meeting, and can't ever stop. The entire relationship is founded on mutual trust.
It's often a brutal truth that we have to tell, and we can package it as nicely and politely as possible, but it's still the Truth! It is our job to tell you this from the start.
We'd rather you be unhappy with what we tell you and not hire us AT ALL, then to have you hire us, not be aware of all the critical factors that can stop you from selling your home, and hate us for not being able to move! Because let's face it...who's going to get the blame if your home doesn't sell? US!!
We're in this business for the long haul, and failure doesn't get your future business, and your relatives, friends and co-worker referrals unless we do the job right and sell your home for you! So better to not be hired, then set you and us both up to fail.
So here's a sampling of the truths we may have to tell you:
"We can only reasonably expect to get $xxx,xxxx for your home!"
(We could try to get more, but we'll need an buyer named Rip Van Winkle WHO just has to have YOUR home, with all cash and no banks involved, combined with a buyer's agent who doesn't know how to run comps and will skip an appraisal...so you see, we REALLY can't get you more!... We know the other agent you interviewed said they could get you 10% more than we said....but did they show you pages and pages of data to back up their claim? No?? They just FELT that was the right price??.....)
"You've GOT to paint that room, take down those pictures, put away your favorite collection...we've GOT to stage your home!"
(We KNOW it's a hassle, but YOU'RE moving anyway, right??!! We're going to sell your home, everything is going in boxes anyway, so let's just get a head start on the process! Put the autographed jerseys away...buyers are easily distracted...they'll spend more time looking at your collection and less on your home...same with the family pictures....they'll be looking to see if they know you....or if there's no husband in the pictures so they can jump to "divorce" conclusion and try to offer less...they're checking your closets too...and not just because they want to know how much room you have. Take away the clues they can use for leverage against you!)
"Those repairs CAN'T wait until AFTER you're on the market!"
(You've got to be ready DAY ONE! We've had showings scheduled within hours of a home hitting MLS. That FIRST buyer prospect, could be THE ONE! A note saying you plan to fix xxxxx, isn't the same as having it ACTUALLY fixed! It's the loose thread syndrome at work....once the buyer sees something wrong, they start pulling and picking until the whole thing unravels! Don't miss your window of opportunity!)
There are more Truths to this business and selling your home, the one thing you needn't fear is that you will ever have less than our full honesty! We may tell you what you NEED to hear rather than what you WANT to hear...please don't hold that against us!
Bringing you the Real Estate Truth,
Liz and Bill aka BLiz
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time
Bliz, it is always better for us to be brutally honest BEFORE they put their home on the market, buyers are not as tactful. If we tell the truth upfront, they know exactly what to expect!
Oct 08, 2010 01:47 AM
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs
Joan, And in general, we know what the buyer objections are going to be up front (busy road, corner lot, cemetary next door, the avocado green carpet). Get it out there, and KNOW that some buyers will walk away for things that CAN'T be fixed with anything but price or patience.
Oct 08, 2010 01:50 AM
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC
Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches
Liz & Bill ~ You have presented excellent points in such a wonderful manner. I agree with you 100%: Get down to business Day 1 and deal with any of those Dandelions upfront; it avoids headaches later! Enjoyed this ssssso much; thanks!
Oct 08, 2010 02:23 AM
Newark, OH
Oh man Bliz, you hit a home run with this post, every point you mentioned was spot on!
I recently sold in GA and had to take a bit hit on the price but my REA was good and I already follow the market so I listened to her!!! Since I'm a stager I have to say the property was a real good looker too. We had a tons of interest, multiple contracts and in a very, very short time.
Oct 08, 2010 02:28 AM
Retired - Seattle, WA
It makes so much sense that it almost doesn't need to be said...but new know so many working agents out there who take the low road with sky-high promises.
Oct 08, 2010 02:39 AM
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs
Tish, Glad you like it. It's standard practice for us. In general, if we can't get that trust level established in our expertise and us as people, the working relationship isn't off to a proper start. We provide the valid information, the clients make decisions based on the best possible guidance we can provide! There may still be surprises, but we'll remove as many as we can!
Cynthia, Thanks! We try to go for a high slugging percentage! Except for getting a higher price, sounds like the Georgia experience was everything you could hope for!
Glenn, We hate to lose a listing to false dreams of high prices...and unfortunately we may be right, and we don't burn the bridge, but EXTREMELY rare here is the seller who will call you to be the 2nd listing agent when it doesn't work out with the first. Why admit you made a mistake with your choice when there's another 5000 agents to pick from?
Oct 08, 2010 02:51 AM
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!
I am not smart enough to lie. It is so much easier to tell the truth and prove what you say is true...
Oct 08, 2010 02:56 AM
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs
Paul, The truth is infinitely easier to stay with... no memory games needed...lies eventually catch up with you.... we could spend days typing names of famous people who've hung themselves with their own verbal nooses of lies.
Oct 08, 2010 03:02 AM
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker
In a world of spin, insincerity, and desire to get what you want without thought of others in the dog and pony, "situational ethics" is a condition some try to justify. Lying is lying. Less than honest is not honest. No shades of "lying". Same with stealing, being mean, acting aloof, being jealous...all the laundry list of bad behaviors or way to lead your life. Remember your kids are watching too. Honest means not having to remember what you told this person, or that person. Honest if the truth, the way it is, plain and simple.
Oct 08, 2010 03:37 AM
CR Property Group, LLC - East York, PA
Serving York and Adams County, PA
We all need to stand up and be more ballzy and not so whimpy. We end up losing so much control and have a tendency to bow down to the client.
Oct 08, 2010 03:37 AM
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs
Andy, For us, it's the only way of doing business. Our business shouldn't cause a conflict with our personal religious beliefs. Be honest...makes it simple, and no divergence.
Don, We give them the facts, they make their decisions, we support as best we possible can for those circumstances. If we can't support, sometimes we have to choose to walk away.
Oct 08, 2010 03:44 AM
Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA
CalState Realty Services
BLiz - AMEN FOR THE TRUTH!!! While the truth may sting in the beginning, in the long run, there's nothing better. Just yesterday, I had to have one of my "Come to Jesus" talks with a client about a matter I have being banging in her head trying to get her to understand for weeks now. At this point, I had to tell her I was suspending her file until she does what I have asked her to do for weeks now.
I was so inspired that today, I think I'm going to have another one with this couple I have been working with for months. While I always speak the truth to my clients and prospects, sometimes, some of them just need to have it pummeled into their brains before they finally take me seriously. Go figure - some people are just destined to learn lifes lessons the hard way. I'm sure there are sellers like that too - right?
Oct 08, 2010 05:03 AM
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers
Very well Sssssssssssssssaid. It's super important to be honest and not just tell someone what they want to hear. It's so important to stick to your moral (which clearly not everyone is doing in this economy...or maybe they just don't have any).
Oct 08, 2010 05:40 AM
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs
Donne, We had someone at Bill's day job say to someone "Let's have come to Jesus meeting!". The response: "I'd rather come to Moses!". We were rolling like your little yellow round guy! Glad to help you "declutter" your clients a bit!
Debbie, Lie ONCE, and you'll be known as a liar forever by your clients. Ask any number of politicians from either party :) Thanks for the ssssss.
Oct 08, 2010 05:44 AM
Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA
CalState Realty Services
BLiz - I hate to get so stern with some of my clients but it's just infuriating when they think they know better than me on what they can and can not do during escrow. I'M THE PROFESSIONAL!!!
I've say this to all my little first timers, "in order to become a homeowner around here, you have to want it really bad. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to get to the closing table". Her reason for not doing this one thing I have been asking her to do, "I don't want to. I shouldn't have to do that". SERIOUSLY!!!
Then I guess you don't really want that great looking house you're trying to buy that you spent so long looking for and fought so valiantly to get over all the other buyers who wanted to buy it. Ok, I'm done ranting for now. Gotta go get all "Jesus-like" with another client now. I can already tell it's going to be a day and it's not even noon yet.
Oct 08, 2010 06:22 AM
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs
Donne, We all have to do things that are totally "STUPID" and illogical. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and do them, because winning that battle loses the war. Hopefully your client will finally get that through her cranial obstruction barrier and get with the program. Good luck with the 2nd too! Hopefully the day will get more on track!
Oct 08, 2010 06:29 AM
San Diego, CA
I can’t believe you really want to try to help your clients by actually telling them the truth! Didn’t your parents raise you properly? Only tell the truth when it’s convenient or profitable! LOL
Oct 08, 2010 04:06 PM
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs
Russel, Raised properly, exactly why we tell them what they need to know :)
Oct 08, 2010 04:28 PM
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
Liz and Bill I am with you 100%, I rather make less money than being a "Pinocchio Realtor" in the long run I sleep better. Part of it is my family upbringing part of it is my education:)
Oct 09, 2010 03:08 PM
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs
Endre, It's the only way we know how to do it. We'd rather be able to sleep at night too!
Oct 09, 2010 03:17 PM
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Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs
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REALTORS(R). Serving Warren County Ohio and adjacent areas from Cincinnati to south Dayton. Observing and reporting on real estate and related topics to help your quality of life!
And if you're asking where is Warren County Ohio? We fill the space between Cincinnati and Dayton. Perfect for enjoying the bigger cities without living in them. Places like Mason, Lebanon, Springboro, Waynesville, Franklin and more. Plus lots of rural properties available too. We work with both residential home buyers and sellers and have extensive knowledge of low maintenance living options (patio homes, condos, etc.).
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