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You're So Nice. Can You Really Sell Our Home?

By Kathryn Acciari

Mortgage and Lending with Central One Federal Credit Union NMLS #2136196

September 27, 2011 01:34 AM

You're So Nice. Can You Really Sell Our Home?

You're So Nice. Can You Really Sell Our Home? This was a question asked of me by a potential seller client this week, and I have to admit it is the first time this particular question has come up! The potential client knows me in various other roles in life and has not yet had the pleasure of seeing the real estate agent within.

The question got me thinking, though. Am I too nice to be able to sell homes? Does a real estate agent have to be not-nice in order to succeed? Do home owners prefer agents who are not nice?

My response to the seller was that I was one of the Top 10 agents in the top selling office in our area in 2010. I am a repeat sales award recipient of RE/MAX. Of course I can sell a home!

Now that I've had some time to mull this question over, though, I have a more in-depth response to what being nice amounts to in real estate:

1. Being nice means I am professional. I treat people and their property with respect and care, just as I would like to be treated.

2. Being nice means people are comfortable with me. When buyers comes to my open house, they linger because I make the visit an enjoyable experience. This is otherwise known as a buying environment.

3. Being nice means I care. Yes, I want to sell houses. More importantly, however, in this difficult market I want buyers and sellers to suffer as little pain as necessary throughout the process. I'll make sure the bases are covered for you.

4. Being nice means I was raised right. I was taught early on that we all need each other. In real estate, being nice means I'm focusing on the people, not the bucks.

5. Being nice does not mean I'm not smart. Quite the contrary. I have a clear vision of what it takes to get a home sold. I keep myself educated, and I incorporate the top industry practices for marketing and selling property. (Although, if I give you my best advice and you don't take it, then no, your house will not sell. And that's all on you, baby.) Because I do my homework, I can afford to be nice.

6. Being nice does not mean I'm not a fighter. I was raised with four brothers; you can bet your bottom dollar that I can get scrappy when necessary. Moreover, I shine when it comes to endurance. Trust me, I will go long and hard for you when the gloves come off.

I believe that being my nice self translates to numerous advantages for any home buyer or seller. Yes, I am so nice. And yes, I can really sell your home.

Yours in real estate,

Kathryn Acciari, REALTOR
The Nice Agent
Sturbridge Massachusetts and Central Massachusetts Real Estate
(508) 982-0686

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Michael L. Brownstead

Brownstead Real Estate, LLC - Frisco, TX

ABR, GRI, MRP, SRS, 1SG US Army (Ret.)

Kathryn, great points about being a professional business person, basic business skills are something all real estate professionals should possess.

Sep 27, 2011 01:36 AM

Kathryn Acciari

Central One Federal Credit Union - Shrewsbury, MA

Mortgage Loan Originator

Thank you Michael. I appreciate your stopping by!

Sep 27, 2011 01:37 AM

Sheila Anderson

Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ

The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Kathryn. Your title intrigued me and so I read your post. Good job and excellent content. What a strange question....You are on the money and "nice" too. Have a productive day.

Sep 27, 2011 01:44 AM

Mary Ellen Holleran

Holleran Real Estate - Chapel Hill, NC

Great post with thoughtful points. Since when does mean translate to success?

Sheila: Yes, it was an unusual question. Thank you for your kind comments.

Mary Ellen: Perhaps they were thinking an agent has to be loud and flashy, I don't quite know!

Sep 27, 2011 01:57 AM

Susan Kessler

American Allstar Realty - Phoenix, AZ

Once on a listing appointment, the owner said their previous agent was not "aggressive enough" I wish I had asked what she meant by that, and whom she expected the agent to be aggressive toward.

Sep 27, 2011 02:21 AM

David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation

Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO

Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

Kathryn what a compliment. I think most sellers are just looking for a little last minute assurance that we can get the job done.

Sep 27, 2011 02:54 AM

Gwynn Carpenter

Gwynn Teal Carpenter-Broker: Home and Hearth Realty (Austin) - Austin, TX

: Broker, Home & Hearth Realty (512)467-6191

Kathryn: Nice is as nice does....or I think that's the saying. What does nice mean to that potential seller client?? Nice means you can see both sides of the transaction and make it work. I think nice means pushing the suggest button on this post.

Sep 27, 2011 04:15 AM

Ken Brandon

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage (Jacksonville, NC) - Jacksonville, NC

Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, NC

It's a whole lot easier for a "nice" agent to keep a troubled deal from falling apart than it is for one, let's just say, that isn't so nice.

Sep 27, 2011 07:12 AM

Kay Van Kampen

RE/MAX Broker, RE/MAX - Springfield, MO

Realtor®, Springfield Mo Real Estate

Being nice means you sometimes take on more problems than being "not so nice'. I find myself trying to fix every agents problems instead of working.

Sep 27, 2011 03:23 PM

Joan Congilose

New Jersey Properties - Manalapan, NJ

Helping Sellers & Buyers

I agree with you, good points in your post. I believe a lot of sellers do however believe nice guys finish last and are under the perception that you have to behave like a barracuda to agressively sell their house. I run across this all of the time. I'd rather be on the too nice list too!

Sep 29, 2011 01:08 AM

Susan: Well, if the agent disappeared and did not communicate well, that could be perceived as being passive. That is definitely not my modus operandi.

David: Oh definitely. Every seller wants some indication that their home will sell quickly and smoothly.

Gwynn: That is nice! Thank you very much.

Ken: Yes, you are correct. I can usually see both sides of a problem and reach for a solution without the need to get rude about it.

Kay: That is one danger. I am learning to pass the ball back when that happens!

Joan: Yes - let's stay on the nice list together. The company is much more enjoyable.

Sep 29, 2011 08:03 AM

Toni Weidman

Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL

20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

A great post, Kathryn. I think people want a super-aggressive person which many equate with not-nice. Being nice is also the reason many agents will show your property as oppossed to not showing the not-nice agents property. I'm suggesting.

Sep 30, 2011 02:14 AM

Frances C. Rokicki

Fran Rokicki Realty, LLC - Bolton, CT

Broker-Mentor,CRS

Kathryn, Being nice, is doing the right thing. I can scream out loud, when I am in my car or somewhere, alone. However, being nice when others are not, is always better for the situation.

Oct 01, 2011 01:08 AM

Toni: I think you are correct. Super-aggressive may be impressive, at first anyway, but sometimes it's all just misdirected hot air.

Fran: I can't imagine you ever screaming out loud! :-)

Oct 01, 2011 08:53 AM

Sussie Sutton

David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX

David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

WOW! No one has ever asked me that question... I guess they know I don't put up with "it". Oh I am nice and I will bat for my seller or buyers like a mama lioness!

Oct 15, 2011 02:22 PM

Sussie: It was a first for me too! Not a bad thing, overall.

Oct 16, 2011 11:33 PM

You're So Nice. Can You Really Sell Our Home?

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