The Trust Factor Is Why I Got My Real Estate License!

The Trust Factor Is Why I Got My Real Estate License!

 What is trust? By definition it is:

reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.

Every day each of us sit in a chair.  How many of us actually test that chair, inspect it, look at the legs and the back, making sure it really can support us.  We "trust" that it will hold us based on the last experience we had with that chair.

I want to share the story that led me to my desire to get licensed.

I once purchased a home and asked some very specific questions of the seller.  The inspection did not reveal any material defects in the area of concern as it was covered up with vinyl siding.  The seller commented they were tired of painting and maintaining the wood so they just covered it up with vinyl, the wood was still in perfect condition.  I "trusted" them.  After settlement, we removed the vinyl and discovered the wood was in very serious disrepair.  Squirrels had almost eaten through the roof.  My neighbors on both sides came to me and told me that the seller had been aware of the destroyed wood and the listing agent had told them if they covered that wood, they would yield a higher price. I was quite upset to say the least.  I contacted my agent who put me in touch with the right people to start mediation, but my husband informed me he wished not to pursue.  That repair cost us just over $30,000.  I decided at that moment to get my real estate license and ensure there was a real estate agent in the area that people could trust.  

I have turned down listings due to the seller not willing to disclose material defects.  I have refused to work with buyers that were not honest concerning their employment or wages.  It is imperative we have trust when doing business with one another. I believe the basis of trust is honesty. I will not work with clients that I cannot trust and consumers should not expect to have to work with an agent that they do not trust.

Now, it's difficult to achieve 100% trust in any person, we have our weakness and we fail or make mistakes.  But it is important you have a basic trust, reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence. Can you be "Trusted"?

This post is a submission to the ActiveRain / Adobe EchoSign Trust Contest. I could possibly win a prize. You can find out about the contest by clicking here