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Don't Burn Any Bridges Behind You

By Kate Elim

Real Estate Agent with Dockside Realty VA 0225142975

April 12, 2008 01:38 PM

We've heard this advice many times and it still holds true.

Whether you are leaving a real estate company or have not been selected to list a particular property do not even begin to think that this is history. You just never know when you might want to go back to that firm. Or, you never know if some time in the future you may have the opportunity to work with that seller listing the same house or perhaps in an entirely different transaction.

Treat all parties in a transaction with professionalism, courtesy, and respect. Perhaps that other agent will be across from you on another deal and you will be needing an extra dose of cooperation. If you have shown that you will extend yourself, others may well do the same in return.

Sometimes the agent that represented the other party in the transaction stops working in your market and that client may think of you when they are looking for a REALTOR®. If you have done what it takes to get the transaction to settlement the likelihood is that you will be in line for the job.

Just recently, a few days after a settlement, the purchaser called me to ask for some information. When I offered to do some additional things to help out she told me they never expected as much from a REALTOR® as they had received from me. I replied that they now had not just a REALTOR® but a friend.

We develop friendships with fellow agents, lenders, home inspectors and others friends that help us with our transactions.

We are also so fortunate that many of our clients become our friends. What a nice perk. Of course, some markets facilitate this more easily than others. Fortunately for me I live in such an environment and it adds a special dimension to my work.

Take care of all of your relationships even transitory ones as you may be crossing that bridge again and again.

. . . . . . .

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, please contact Kathleen "Kate " Elim. Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.
Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannaandbeyond.com/ or http://lakeannacountry.com/

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Audrey June-Forshey

RE/MAX Realty Services - Darnestown, MD

GRI, Gaithersburg, MD

Kathleen, oh so true. You just never know. It is a very small world out there!!

Apr 12, 2008 01:43 PM

Cape Coral Florida Golf Course and Waterfront Homes

Gulf Coast Realty Network, Inc. - Cape Coral, FL

And don't ever think that you will never see that difficult client again!

JimG

Apr 12, 2008 01:45 PM

Jim Albano

Prudential Damiano Realty - Little Falls, NJ

Team - Jean-Marie Vantuno / Realtors North Jersey Real Estate

That is some terrific advice. It's always better to create allies rather than adversaries.

Apr 12, 2008 01:57 PM

Bill Kennedy

Keller Williams Greenville Upstate - Greenville, SC

Homes For Sale Greenville SC

Excellent words of wisdom! Never hurt any relationships. You never know when you might need that person again to help you out.

Apr 12, 2008 01:58 PM

Rosario Lewis

DDR Realty - Newburgh, NY

GRI, SRES - DDR Realty - Orange County, NY

Very good advice. Even if you do not cross paths with those individuals again, you want to make sure they speak well of you to others. Referrals, referrals, referrals.

Apr 12, 2008 02:04 PM

Kay Van Kampen

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

Realtor®, Springfield Mo Real Estate

Kathleen, every relationship is important. You never know when that person will turn up and need your services. Good relationships are hard to keep!

Apr 12, 2008 02:17 PM

LaNita Cates

REMAX of Joliet - Joliet, IL

Hear Hear! I make it a point to notice how I talk to others. Sometimes it IS hard:) as we all know and there's been times I bite my tongue. But you are right!

Apr 12, 2008 03:07 PM

Julie Neerings~Lifting Hearts ♥ Building Dreams~

Agent Referral - Salt Lake City, UT

Kathleen~You have shared such a very valuable piece of your heart and an example of what we should all strive for on a daily basis in everything we do. Thank you my friend!

Apr 12, 2008 03:12 PM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Kathleen, I try as hard as I can to leave everything in the best way possible. You absolutely never know what's going to happen later on down the road....wonderful post and an excellent reminder!

Apr 12, 2008 03:17 PM

Carol Smith

Casmi Photography - Mebane, NC

I showed a house today that I had also done a listing presentation on. I didn't get the listing. No big deal. Doesn't mean I'm bad or inferior. We all choose people we are ultimately comfortable with to do business with. To develop an attitude and let it get in my way of making a young couple in a home they want would be selfish and unforgivable.

Apr 12, 2008 03:38 PM

Charlottesville Solutions

Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA

Excellent advice in any business, never burn bridges, you may have to cross them again one day.

Your Friend in Charlottesville Virginia!

Apr 13, 2008 12:46 AM

Steve Hoffacker

Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL

Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor

Kathleen, this is very good advice. I like the part about respect and professionalism. This approach is the basis for WOM and referrals.

Apr 13, 2008 12:56 AM

Jim Crawford

Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA

Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Wise info! Very smart advice!

Apr 13, 2008 03:58 AM

DDR Realty

Orange County NY

Very good advise which we all need to be frequently reminded of. Thanks for the reminder.

Apr 13, 2008 04:07 AM

Patty Carroll

Vancouver, WA

Great advice, Kathleen. Beyond what it may mean to you in the future, there's also the immediate peace of mind simply knowing that you've done the right thing.

Patty & Scott Carroll, RE/MAX Equity Group, Vancouver WA

Apr 13, 2008 09:27 AM

Dione Sage

Nova Home Loans - Gilbert, AZ

Great article, Great advice and Great read. Thanks for the blog its so true that we develop friendships through out the path we take and if we don't then the path is not as rewarding. Thanks again for this article.

Apr 13, 2008 05:16 PM

n d

Naoma Doriguzzi - Virginia Beach, VA

So true! You know you did a good job when they ask you to their home for family barbeques! I always treat the customers like my first one.

Apr 15, 2008 08:42 AM

Deb Brooks

Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Kathleen, you've got some good advice going there! We are living in such a small town that we have no choice but to at least "try" to get along with everyone! Of course, I would want to anyway but...well, you know.

I'll just bet you can tell I get feisty on occasion! Call me sparky! I sure wish you could have been with us for our weekend Texas visit. If I host the next one you MUST come.

That smile of yours could brighten any party! Later in the rain~Deb

Apr 15, 2008 11:04 AM

Bo Hunt

First Choice Mortgage Group - Douglasville, GA

Metro-Atlanta Mortgage Professional

Hey, Kate... Great advice! I have burned a bridge or two, especially when I was younger... Humble pie always leaves a bad taste in my mouth! Never know how things are going to turn out, and I've learned better than leaving relationships with a disrespectful undertone; not only for my good, but for the other party's as well.

Apr 16, 2008 04:46 PM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Kathleen, what a terrific blog spoken from the heart. In all relationships, treat others with respect and kindness. With that in mind you will never go wrong. Sometimes I think we want to burn a bridge when we are hurt but we should just let it go.

Apr 17, 2008 10:11 AM

Don't Burn Any Bridges Behind You

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