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The Influences that Define our Lives 3

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Real Estate Agent with Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754

The Influences that Define our Lives  3

There are always people around us that offer advice and even when they don't, by watching them we can possibly watch and get a hint of a technique that we can use with some changes.

We are in a business where we try to offer help to clients that have access to a barrage access to an unlimited source of information. However not all of it is correct, yet people feel that if it's on the Internet then it has to be true.

That and the natural tendency of people to mistrust those greedy and self-serving real estate agents.

A technique I learned many years ago does have a way to open up a mind and often will help a client to look at an issue in a new light.

People do not respond well to statements from salespeople; however, a rewording of a fact can get the thought across.

For example, stating outright that a house with blue siding and red shutters would have attractive curb appeal. This is likely to get a rather negative response.

Asking that clint what they think would be a striking and appealing color combination for the house, and then asking if they thought blue siding would look nice and maybe offset the siding color with some accent colors like maybe red shutters?

And then push it by asking what they thought?

The client makes the decision with some suggestion and the agent can't be presumed to be pushing.

This was always effective, and the results were seldom bad.

The person that I learned that from was the owner of a company that employed over 100 people and was very successful.

An open mind can lead to much success

 

The Influences that Define our Lives  3

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Edward (Ed) Silva

 Broker Associate

Mapleridge Realty LLC

Serving Central Connecticut Sellers and Buyers

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Comments(19)

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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Ed - I believe agents can influence decision-making; they go off-course when they claim they "know" which choice is best for all who come to them for advice.  That's the message I get from reading your post.  

Mar 22, 2025 04:30 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Michael Jacobs   With the information people can obtain off the Net, being able to get a client to offer up their impressions becomes very important.

Mar 22, 2025 12:40 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Ed. When you ask "what do you think?" you engage people and they usually like to respond .Enjoy your day,

Mar 22, 2025 04:55 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Wayne Martin   Exactly and then the work begins

Mar 22, 2025 12:40 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

You are right, Ed... rather than pushing our own thoughts/opinions on our clients we should ask them what they think. Amazing what we learn when we do that!

Mar 22, 2025 05:13 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Nina Hollander, Broker  the end results are to have a client believe they got what they wanted and not what they were pushed into.

Mar 22, 2025 12:42 PM
Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 - An open mind is a good idea. Staying curious about what the client thinks leads us to understand more fully what they really like. This way shows consideration for what they really want, and the sales agent does not appear to be pushy. 

In training classes or CE, many agents would say, I show 3-5 houses and say, pick one, which one. No matter how many times I heard that same remark and then hear them boasting about not wasting their time, so they referred them out to someone else, it never set right with me. That was something I would not do. To me, it never sounded like a trusting relationship could be formed.

This is a wonderful approach. Thank you for sharing another great story about how listening to wise advice from someone who owned a successful business with "over a hundred employees" paid off. Wise words, listening, and following through really did shape you into acquiring your own successful business. Thank you for sharing!

Mar 22, 2025 05:57 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Patricia Feager   that is an agent looking at a prospect as a dollar sign and that is what gives the business a negative view.

Mar 22, 2025 12:43 PM
Joe Mojica
Laer Realty Partners Bowen - Port St Lucie, FL
Your Home Adds Value to You

Hello Ed- I found your article interesting. I believe realtors should give the client every opportunity to express their thoughts by asking questions as you suggested. Thanks for the article.

Mar 22, 2025 07:28 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Joe Mojica   Thanks for stopping

Mar 22, 2025 12:44 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Ed,

Asking the right questions and then listening to the answers is so important. An open mind can lead to much success!!!

Mar 22, 2025 12:29 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks for sharing this insightful perspective, Ed Silva, 203-206-0754! It's refreshing to see how you've turned sales techniques into a more compassionate approach to client interactions. Your knack for fostering open conversations is a game changer in our industry—keep those valuable insights coming!

Mar 22, 2025 12:52 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Ed- good approach. People like to be asked for their opinion and not have something shoved down their throats. 

Mar 22, 2025 02:43 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Ed it is all in the approach and how things are presented.  It can be the difference between a successful sale or being laughed at.

Mar 22, 2025 02:53 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Ed, Instead of sharing your own viewpoints with clients, I invite their thoughts. It’s the best way to learn so much more!

Mar 23, 2025 12:54 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Sunday morning, Ed. Thanks for sharing some of your personal experience. 

Best wishes for continued success.

Mar 23, 2025 07:06 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

That is a really good technique and certainly will lead someone to a great deal of success!  The way we say things or think about things influences how it is received.

Mar 23, 2025 07:28 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Absolutely Ed!  Asking questions and then listening, really listening to their answers can open a LOT of doors!

Mar 23, 2025 12:34 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Ed:

Asking "what do you think" is a valuable question in many circumstances, often leading to helpful information and clarity. And people like to be asked their opinion.

Jeff

Mar 23, 2025 12:59 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Ed, couldn't agree with you more.   Rewording a sentence can an entire different meaning or effect on someone.

Mar 24, 2025 02:49 PM
Barbara Michaluk
Weichert Realtors | Phone Direct 240-506-2434 | 301-681-0550 office - Silver Spring, MD
Leisure World Specialist / Full Service REALTOR

Hi Ed, I agree that most people want to feel like they are making their own decisions. They certainly don't want to feel like they are being aggressively pushed into doing something.  I like your strategy of asking questions of the client to get a feel for what they like and then working with them from that perspective. 

Mar 25, 2025 04:21 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Wednesday afternoon, Ed.

I hope all is going well for you this week.

Mar 26, 2025 11:51 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

Opinions can morph when approached in a different way, Ed. Fantastic post that makes it all about the client!

Mar 27, 2025 03:49 PM
Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI
HomeSmart Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell

Hey Ed you are so right, those clients truly are the influencers of who we are as Realtors, if we don't meet their wishes we have no business.

Mar 31, 2025 09:26 PM