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You are No One's Judge...and Thankfully, Not a Short Sale Sellers' Realtor

By
Real Estate Agent with EXP Realty 414-525-0563 57026-90 Broker

depressed woman   People who are losing their homes very often have multiple problems....in addition to financial problems there are health issues, women who have been battered....deaths of primary wage earners. The stories are many, the lives very sad and while we can't fix all of their problems and get them a new life...we believe that doing a short sale gives them a leg up on a fresh start in life. We sometimes have situations where sellers are working more than one job or long hours at a job and cleaning is not a high priority with children to take care of, multiple medical issues and problems that one can barely imagine surviving all at one time.

   Invariably......we get feedback from a Realtor who feels it is necessary to comment on the lack of housekeeping...they should have done this, cleaned that, replaced this....taken better care of....I feel my blood pressure rise as I read the judgemental remarks which almost always begin with how great they are as Realtors and they have seen lots of houses....and they know that the very least that the Seller(s) could have done would be to......

   No....Mr./Ms Realtor...the very least you could do is be professional and realize that you do not ...and will never know the whole story behind the house that did not meet your standards....the life that fell apart...and keep your comments befitting a professional.

   If you or anyone you know is unable to make their mortgage payments, feel free to give us a call and we will get them the professional assistance they need from professionals who pass no judgement.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by

Sally K. & David L. Hanson, ABR, CDPE, CSS, e-Pro,ILHM, REDS


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TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Good morning, Sally & David. Far too often, "Professionals" jump to conclusions or prejudge circumstances they know nothing about, It is best to keep our opinions to ourselves. Some can't...

Feb 25, 2012 07:06 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Your post brought these two things to mind...........

Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged!
and
Let Him Who is Without Sin Cast the First Stone

Feb 25, 2012 07:10 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Sticks, stones and harsh words are sometimes unfortunately, the first comments we get....and shelter our distressed sellers from these comments.

Feb 25, 2012 07:15 PM
Janice Roosevelt
Keller Williams Brandywine Valley - West Chester, PA
OICP ABR, ePRO,Ecobroker

Sally and David:

This message is so important. Thank you for this gentle reminder. Seek to understand first, then be understood.

Feb 25, 2012 07:18 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning~ as the old saying goes "Don't judge me until you've walked a mile in my shoes" or something like that.  Enjoy the day 

Feb 25, 2012 07:48 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Sally/David, We have unfortunately heard some unkind words too from insensitive Realtors...sometimes it's best not to say anything!

Feb 25, 2012 08:06 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Doesn't everyone's Mom tell them..."If you can't say anything nice...."

Feb 25, 2012 08:14 PM
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Showing feedback isn't useful if it's about the seller's dirty dishes. Sure, buyers want to see a clean house, but you're not buying their dishes. Housekeeping feedback, especially on a short sale, makes me crazy :)

Feb 25, 2012 08:39 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

I get beyond crazy....I get angry with the lack of empathy shown by some Realtors who believe these comments are  helpful or professional.

Feb 25, 2012 08:44 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

It's so hard for us all not to be judges.  But, as you say, things are for reasons and it might be best to let things slide when so much is obvious.

Feb 25, 2012 08:48 PM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

Well said.  Though I try not to, I too tend to ask why this wasn't done or that not cleaned.  This blog will come to mind when that happens again.  Thank you.

Feb 25, 2012 09:35 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

If any of us had the lives of some of the short sale sellers we have encountered...the answers would be self evident...it is hard to imagine picking your head up...let alone picking up a broom, dust cloth.....etc.

Feb 25, 2012 09:37 PM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

MOrning, and please tell me the time stamp on your post is wrong!  Ugg!  ANywho, you are right....we have to not judge folks ever, but especially in hard times/short sales/etc. 

Feb 25, 2012 11:33 PM
Scott Whitwam, APREP, ABR, SFR, ASD,CDPD ,Designated Broker Mesa AZ
Allison James Estates & Homes - Mesa, AZ

Sally & David

Great post that has provoked a lot of thought and comments. good job

Feb 26, 2012 01:47 AM
Broker Patty Da Silva Da Silva
Green Realty Properties® - 954-667-7253 - Cooper City, FL
Top Listing Broker

Sally,

Agents should really keep their comments in check. NO one knows what is going on the lives of the sellers and frankly it isnt their business. If the buyer likes the house great, if they don't keep your big mouth shut!

Feb 27, 2012 10:38 PM
Pacita Dimacali
Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA
Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Sally and David

The only issue I have with short sale sellers/agents is how difficult they make it for other agents and their buyers to see a property. Knowing that the sellers are under the gun to sell the property, they should at least be more accommodating. Unfortunately and very recently, I ran into sellers and agents who seemed to have such an attitude that my buyers decided to move on and not bother with them. As my buyer said, he doesn't want to deal with people who are difficult from the very beginning. It doesn't bode well as to how the transaction process will be when in escrow.

Feb 29, 2012 02:03 PM
Anne M. Costello
Weidel Realtors - Yardley, PA

Sally and David: Whenever I show a short sale, I prepare my buyers that the sellers lives are in disarray. The house may is good or great condition, it may not. When your life is upside, you may be sad, depressed, you may just have given. 99% of the time, my nuyers are kind and compassionate. The buyers' agents need to prepare their clients, enough said.

Feb 29, 2012 08:59 PM
Account Closed
Montreal, QC

What a great post and a wonderful reminder for us all!  We don't know what's going on in the sellers' lives, and it's certainly not our place to judge anyone else.   

Mar 03, 2012 07:25 AM