Reading a few back and forth emails on a transaction in escrow, the escrow officer kept emailing the cooperating agent requests for the same document. With each email she re-worded the request in different ways, presuming that the agent wasn’t understanding, “Could you please send this document?” But, the agent didn’t respond.
Final request. Only this time the escrow officer wrote, “Your commission check will be held until we receive this document.”
The document came five minutes later. I guess sometimes we do have to spell things out in many different ways before someone understands or gets it.
A few things I’ve learned along the way to help make sure someone understand what you are saying:
Make eye contact while you are talking. And if you are writing your request – just be brief and to the point.
Don’t be afraid ask, “Can we clarify what’s needed here – again?”
Know who you are talking to. Working with a newer real estate agent? Or first time Buyer? Get on their level and treat it as if it were your first time around too. It’s alright to review and follow the real estate manual - again!
If you need or want something – don’t leave the request open-ended. If you want a document right away – for example, don’t say, “I need it before closing.” Because that means anytime before closing. Just be specific: “I need it by 9am today.”
Some people still won’t get it, or they just won’t understand, no matter how many different ways you say or write something. Keep that in mind, be patient and be ready to spell it out – just like the picture shows – it would be hard to explain why someone couldn’t figure out where the GAS goes.
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