Bad Attitude-Does It Show?

I get together with a group of high school friends every year. We are now in our 16th season and look forward to exploring new places together.  This year we chose to visit Seattle.  There were two outstanding reasons for this.  It's cooler in Seattle in July than where most of us live and the topopgraphy is much more interesting than Oklahoma and Texas.  One of our group does live in Colorado, so she at least sees some mountains.  For the rest of us, anything above sea level is a bonus.

We chose an awesome home on a website that offers short term rentals.  Since I am the realtor of the group, I reached out to the owner.  At first communication, he was very pleasant and seemed accomodating.  When I received the quote, there were some charges that I didn't fully understand, so I  sent an email simply asking for clarification.  The next day I received this:

This is a 2 million dollar water front home. There are planty of  home
for less cost away from the lake. We suggest you find another place.

All the best,

Home Owners

Ok, Mr. Home Owner, I think you may have just misunderstood.  I  am the one responsible for the deposit and communicating to the rest of the group how their money will be spent.  I was simply seeking information.  We aren't novices at this.  We've renting $2+ million homes all over the United States, including a beach front home in Oahu with no problems.  Oh, and I am sure those owners could spell the word "plenty".

Our response was this "Thank you for your response.  We have always had great rapport with all the owners we have leased from.  We do not feel that communication has gotten off to a good start. Good luck with your rental."

What does this have to do with real estate?  Our attitude forms a bond or builds a wedge between us and our prospective clients.  Maybe we are having a bad day, or worse yet, a bad week.  Maybe our transaction has gone south after months of work.  Maybe a loved one is in the hospital an we are trying to balance work and personal life.  Whatever is happening, we need to think before we hit the send button on that email or text.  We need to think before we snap back a smart aleck answer.  I have a card on my bulletin board that says "your attitude speaks so loudy, I can't hear what you say". 

In business, attitude is everything.  First impressions count.  People are trusting us with the purchase or sale of their biggest asset.  We can't be flip about anything.  It might take some work but let's nip those bad attitudes.  Here's to a great week of selling real estate.