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Keep Smiling When Losing a Real Estate Sale

By
Real Estate Agent with Dirt Road Real Estate SA676002000

For some professional real estate agents losing a real estate sale is a sad event. However, when these real estate agents know their value and do not compromise that value, sometimes losing a sale is the end result. This is not the time for despair or sadness. No, this is the time to keep smiling and let me share why.

First, when professional real estate agents known their value such as a minimum compensation for sellers and buyers and stay true to that minimum, they may lose a real estate sale or a real estate listing opportunity. Yet, these same agents have stayed true to their own ethics, value and business model. REMEMBER: Working for free is not sustainable business model.

Second, being upfront with buyers about minimum compensation fees works with the buyers’ budget.  Professional real estate agents build loyalty by turning down real estate transactions that hurt the agent’s bottom line when taking into account time. REMEMBER: Time is money.

Third, clients who are encouraged to reach out to listing agents learn about how other agents conduct real estate transactions. From my experience, those clients recognized the difference between real estate agents. REMEMBER: Professionalism is a long term commitment.

Fourth is these referred clients are often apologetic and may even feel remorse by working with another brokerage. REMEMBER:  Be gracious if this happens. This is not the time for "gloating."

Fifth, professional agents keep smiling because they have built loyalty, do not have to expend time for little compensation and can invest their time on more productive activities. REMEMBER: People buy from people the know and trust.

These situations often happen with low value properties.  And if the property has a higher value, then maybe the relationship between the clients and the professional agents was not as strong as the agents believed?

Leanne M Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent Who Goes the Extra Mile Because Life Begins Where the Pavement Ends.

Feature Photo Courtesy of Pixabay.com

Any reproduction of Leanne M Smith’s blog for use by any AI or GAI, distribution or reproduction including but not limited to electronic newsletters e.g. PDF’s Internet sites or physical products e.g. newspapers, CDs without prior written permission and consent by me, Leanne M. Smith (Leanne Hoagland-Smith) is strictly prohibited.

Posted by

Leanne M. Smith, MS, GRI, rCRMS

2018 KGVAR Rookie Realtor of the Year-55+
219.508.2859 MST
Life Begins Where the Pavement Ends
Connect with me on LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/leannehoaglandsmith
Show All Comments Sort:
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Leanne and great information to share with us on this Tuesday.  I always say we learn from each other here in the Rain.  Can I reblog your blog next week?

 

Mar 04, 2025 08:06 AM
Leanne Smith

First thank you for your comment and second as always yes you can reblog. 

Mar 04, 2025 08:51 AM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

So hard to have it happen but it is life, so we need to shake it off and move on. Thank you for sharing the information. Wishing you continued success. Have a wonderful day and sell a house. Bill

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

 

Mar 04, 2025 08:42 AM
Leanne Smith

Shake it off with a smile and indeed keep moving forward. Thank you Bill and good morning to you.

Mar 04, 2025 08:51 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Leanne,
This is a great reminder for real estate professionals (any professional really) to know their worth and stick to it! Too often, agents compromise their value out of fear of losing a deal, only to realize later that it wasn't worth it.

Mar 04, 2025 09:20 AM
Leanne Smith

My sense is there are 2 factors - #1 desperation and #2 a quantity business model instead of quality one. Thanks for continuing this dialogue.

Mar 04, 2025 09:57 AM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

I really appreciate your insightful take on handling setbacks in real estate, Leanne Smith! Your reminder to stay true to our values while nurturing client relationships is both empowering and refreshing—thanks for sharing such valuable wisdom!

Mar 04, 2025 01:01 PM
Leanne Smith

Glad you found this blog posting valuable. Thank you.

Mar 04, 2025 01:08 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Leanne, it is tough to lose a deal, lick your wounds and be sad for a day and get on with life.

Mar 04, 2025 02:20 PM
Leanne Smith

With low value vacant land properties under $15K, I truly never feel it is a lost, but rather a gain in my time. Good morning and thank you.

Mar 05, 2025 05:44 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Leanne- being a professional doesn't mean "only when you win the listing." Sellers and buyers take note of the other agents. Know your value and worth and always remain professional. 

Mar 04, 2025 07:41 PM
Leanne Smith

So true often I hear from clients that I do go the extra mile for them after working with other agents. Thank you and good morning.

Mar 05, 2025 05:45 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Leanne. Always nice to follow Nina Hollander, Broker as we often think alike and she is so much better expressing it. Enjoy your day.

Mar 08, 2025 05:28 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Wayne Martin thank you, Wayne... how nice of you to say that!

Mar 08, 2025 05:36 AM
Leanne Smith

I agree Nina does have a succinct way with sharing her wisdom.

Mar 08, 2025 06:43 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Being a real estate professional means running a business. No business survives if running in the red, and decisions need to be made to ensure we remain valuable and profitable. Excellent post!

Mar 08, 2025 06:09 AM
Leanne Smith

Good morning and thank you Kat. I truly appreciate these 3 words you shared "real estate professional."

Mar 08, 2025 06:43 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Mar 08, 2025 07:30 PM
Leanne Smith

Thank you so much for the feature. And good morning to you.

Mar 09, 2025 07:35 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Leanne,

I'm so glad that Kathy Streib featured your post in her Sunday Series as somehow I missed it! Your post clearly states the way I operate my business. Last year I had a call and the only thing they were concerned with was my compensation! They wanted it reduced. I told them I was not a discount broker. They hired one and after 153 days pulled the house off the market. Now they are serious and called me to list at my compensation proposed last year! I just listed it.

Mar 09, 2025 07:34 AM
Leanne Smith

Good for you for standing your ground and securing the listing. In vacant land when the listing price is $15,000 or less, I often see folks buying agents actually working for around $50 an hour if not less.

 

Mar 09, 2025 07:38 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Know your value!  When professional agents build a strong referral base of clients that absolutely know their value that's who they turn to for every transaction, year after year after year.  I still have clients call me asking for my referral to another me - just had one the other day. I take that responsibility very seriously!

 

Great post Leanne!  So glad Kathy Streib featured it in her Sunday post!

Mar 09, 2025 11:39 AM
Leanne Smith

Knowing your value in any sales role is essential and I believe even more so in the real estate industry. Thank you and good evening.

Mar 09, 2025 07:13 PM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker
Great information, thanks for sharing.  I hope you have a great day.
Mar 10, 2025 04:22 AM
Leanne Smith

I intend to make it a great day and thank you, May you also make it a great week.

Mar 10, 2025 05:59 AM
Jasvir Josan
Direct Realty and Mortgage - Roseville, CA
Target Marketing Specialist

This is Fantastic advice. I joined recently and I am learning a lot here. Love the great information shared by every member of the community.

Mar 10, 2025 04:38 PM
Leanne Smith

Welcome to Active Rain and glad this very helpful forum has been beneficial to you.

Mar 10, 2025 04:42 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Leanne:

This is such valuable advice. Knowing your value and worth (not just the monetary) is so important in our business. And it's OK to move on when the client relationship is not a good one.

Jeff

Mar 10, 2025 05:27 PM
Leanne Smith

So true about moving on with a smile because if we don't value our time, will others value it?

Mar 10, 2025 05:51 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

You’re not going to win every interaction in life and that’s OK. Are you going to get what you need to be I’m probably yes, you are.

Mar 10, 2025 08:59 PM
Leanne Smith

If one believes he or she can always win, then often that means a sacrifice of personal core values.

Mar 11, 2025 07:06 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Leanne, I totally agree. Life is too short and we only get one go around this crazy spinning ball in the sky..

Mar 10, 2025 10:38 PM
Leanne Smith

So true Laura Cerrano when we focus on what we can control, life does become less stressful.

Mar 11, 2025 07:05 AM
J. Casey Losh
Ewing and Clark - Seattle, WA
CEO

Thanks for the positive post!

Mar 10, 2025 11:30 PM
Leanne Smith

My pleasure and good morning to you.

Mar 11, 2025 07:04 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Leanne Smith as someone who is VERY competitive and HATES to lose at anything, this is advice I would recommend everyone follow not just in real estate, but in life as well.

Mar 11, 2025 10:24 AM
Leanne Smith

Thank you and I too have a competitive streak.  I do appreciate you sharing this was sage advice for real estate agents and those not in real estate sales.

Mar 11, 2025 02:56 PM
Mike McCann Broker - Mach1 Realty
Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Broker-Auctioneer Serving Nebraska - Kearney, NE
ALL Types of Property For Sale 308-627-3700

I lost a listing a while back and guess what? ....   The sun came up the next day! Thank you for sharing your expertise!

Mar 11, 2025 05:20 PM
Leanne Smith

Yes the sun does come up every day though sometimes we may not see the sun shining.

Mar 12, 2025 07:00 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Excellent words of advice, Leanne.  And yes, keep the gloating out of real estate.

Mar 12, 2025 11:33 AM