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Being Honest Is The Only Way To Do Business

By Vicky Poe

Real Estate Agent with Good Ole Rocky Top

October 03, 2007 01:58 PM

I had a man contact me last week about listing a lot he had in a local development. When I went to look at the property it was in an area that did not have a road to it or utilities. He had bought the lot last year for an investment. The lot had been listed with a competitor. She described it as being in area that had new houses around it on a paved road. I asked him if he had ever seen the property. The answer was no. Then I asked what he was told about the property. He was told that it was on a paved road, in a growing area with utilities. Unlike the previous agent I told him the truth. I told him that the price that it had been listed at was unrealistic. He was reasonable about his purchase and is motivated to sell with a realistic price.

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Melissa Deputy

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Clinton, NJ

what else can you do but be honest? I rarely hear of disreputable agents who have been around long. Sure around my area there are 2 I wouldn't trust at all but for the most of them, honesty is right up there. Now I will turn down unrealistic buyers or sellers and I know that some agents feel getting the listing at all costs is worth taking it at any price, but I consider that dishonest and unethical. While you can't reduce a listing you didn't get, if you beat a client down on price repeatedly, you can't get that sour taste from being mislead (lied to) out of their mouth either.

enough Real Estate Professionals out there who are great and they few and far between that are dishonest do us all a disservice.

Oct 03, 2007 02:06 PM

Dwayne West

Atlanta Real Estate - Canton, GA

Canton Georgia Real Estate

I agree with you. i also think some realtors area afraid to lose a sale by being honest, and they forget that the reason they are getting the listings is because the seller feels they need an expert opinion.

Dwayne West-"Your Atlanta Real Estate professionals"

Oct 03, 2007 02:06 PM

Find a Notary Public needAnotary

QEC Internet Services - Long Beach, CA

Integrity is that chatter that flutters in your mind when no one is looking and you have a value judgment to make. I recently heard it said, "The truth will all come out in the end." You also in this case were honest with yourself and you realized the actual work to be done to properly market this property. In being honest you establish realistic expectations if and when you find a buyer.

The trust will set you free and keep you mind at peace! Keep it up.

Oct 03, 2007 02:13 PM

Gary Bolen

McCall Realty - South Lake Tahoe, CA

CRS - Lake Tahoe Real Estate Information

Vicky, nice post on a great subject. Ours is a job where we always do well when we tell the truth, and nothing but it. Once done, we're on the high road no matter what the client might decide to do, and sometimes they do choose what we warn them about.

Oct 03, 2007 02:17 PM

A S

Salt Lake City, UT

Honestly is the only way to do business, while it is said that nice guys finish last, nice guys are also still in the business in 20 years. Nice guys also rarely go to jail. If you lose a deal because you were honest, then it is a deal you should be glad you lost.

Oct 03, 2007 02:19 PM

Jason Smith

DreamDirt Auction - Mondamin, IA

Hopefully its goes without saying that "being honest is the only way to do business" but I understand why it needs to be said now and then.

Oct 03, 2007 02:21 PM

Anonymous

Blogger To Be Named Later

Such was the frenzied market when people bought property sight unseen. "Just put me into real estate. Any real estate." The other agent is not only dishonest but dumb -- the worst possible combination. How many people are going to buy that lot without visiting it first?

Oct 03, 2007 02:22 PM