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Yes, We Can Influence Our Clients!

By
Real Estate Agent with Dirt Road Real Estate SA676002000

Recently another real estate agent shared these two statements in one conversation:

“I cannot control my clients.”  

"I cannot control the lenders."

My sales brain quietly internally reacted with “No, we cannot control our clients or our lenders, but we can influence our clients, our lenders as well as others.”

Being able to influence our clients requires certain attitudes and sales skills, in order to build trust, to secure and to SEND our clients forward to a successful close of escrow. When we combine both attitudes and skills, we have created very strong talents that hopefully lead to strong relationships.

Steadiness is more of an attitude.  To be steady means not to panic when clients read for example an inspection report filled with numerous repair items.

Remember, slow and steady wins the race.

Education is a skill meaning to know when to share your knowledge in a way that is received positively by your clients. Sometimes this knowledge must be repeated in different ways. Often professional real estate agents must confirm the education has been received by their clients such as “Does this make sense to you?” or “Do you have any other questions?”

Negotiation is also a sales skill and one I believe is not present in many interactions. Professional real estate agents, through steadiness and education undertake negotiation with care.  Of the “sales skills” from my observations negotiation is one of the least developed skills in many real estate agents.

Determination is an attitude. Not giving up is essential in sales. However, determination must be balanced with strong ethics. Remember, this is not the time to be a person of “my way or the highway” but rather a trusted source of local real estate knowledge.

Yes, we do not have control over our clients, our lenders or others. Yes, we can influence our clients with gentle nudging through our steadiness, our education, our negotiation and determination.  When we recognize the impact of our ability to influence, we will be more successful in real estate as well as in life.

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

Comments(5)

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Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX

Leanne Smith - Wonderful blog post! I liked it very much

Mar 11, 2025 08:07 AM
Leanne Smith

Always good to read comments that let me know the reader enjoyed the post. Thank you and good morning.

Mar 11, 2025 08:30 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Hi Leanne... I believe that when clients fully trust us and when we set appropriate expectations up front and maintain communication throughout the process, issues of control do not rear their ugly head. I can't remember the last time I complained about a client, a lender, an attorney.

Mar 11, 2025 08:46 AM
Leanne Smith

Currently I am complaining inside my hide about another real estate agent is a buyer's agent.  I won't publicly share my internal complaints. However I can only reiterate why real estate agents have such a "bad" reputation when compared to other professions.  Thank you for the comment.

Mar 11, 2025 02:55 PM
GilbertRealtor BillSalvatore
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Fantastic points made, Thanks for sharing it.

Have a super fantastic week!

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Mar 11, 2025 09:23 AM
Leanne Smith

Thank you for letting me know you found value in this blog posting. May you also make it an exceptional week.

Mar 11, 2025 02:53 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

What a thoughtful perspective, Leanne Smith! Your insights into influence over control resonate deeply, and I appreciate the way you blend experience with wisdom—it's a treasure trove for anyone navigating the real estate waters!

Mar 11, 2025 04:43 PM
Leanne Smith

Thank you and I believe when we share our knowledge and wisdom all may benefit.

Mar 12, 2025 06:49 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Leanne - control, influence and many sorts of other discussions come to mind while reading your interesting post.  Thank you for providing pondering material that will likely last for a while.  

Mar 12, 2025 04:11 AM
Leanne Smith

Always enjoy reading my when post give you further pondering moments. Good morning and thank you.

Mar 12, 2025 06:48 AM