Admin

Careful…The REAL You May Be Showing

By
Home Stager

Careful…The REAL You May Be Showing

 

One of my favorite fast-food restaurants with relatively healthy choices fell off my list several years ago. The young cashier overcharged me and was having difficulty issuing a refund. 

 

She consulted her manager who was nearby having her meal break. The cashier returned and asked if I would consider a restaurant credit because it was easier than refunding my money. 

After telling her I’d like a refund because I was never returning, she went to her manager once again who reluctantly stopped eating and issued a refund. 

This wasn’t over a lot of money but it reflected poorly on the manager and the restaurant. 

The manager may have been in her “I’m on a break mode” but when you’re a manager or in a business, you’re “always on.”

 

What does this have to do with real estate??

 

Just as in The Wizard of Oz, we don’t want to be guilty of letting our clients see the person behind the curtain UNLESS it is the professional we strive to portray. 

When we were looking for a home, I heard our agent tell another agent….over the phone…“buyers are liars.” This happened several times. 

Have you accidentally discussed a client or transaction in front of your buyer or seller?

Have you discussed other agents in front of clients or others? 

If you have a magnetic sign on your car or wear anything identifying you as an agent, have you ever cut someone off or acted in a less than professional manner? 

It isn’t fair but people are people. We (and that is all of us) form opinions based on first impressions. 

Be aware of the impression you’re creating. 



Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

In Person Consultations in Texas
for Houston & Harris Counties
and
Virtual Staging Consultations
for all states


Follow My Blog for Practical, Creative,
Easy-to-Do Styling Solutions
Whether You're Selling
or Want to Fall Back in Love
With Your Home
 

561-914-6224
Call or Text

Email Me

About Me
My Blog
   Facebook
Instagram

 

Comments(19)

Show All Comments Sort:
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Good morning! Excellent advice and examples. I strive to be totally different than the on-break manager and the agent talking about buyers are liars. Geez.

Apr 15, 2025 04:58 AM
Kathy Streib

Kat Palmiotti it grated on my nerves every time the agent said it. I was in the front seat with her and wanted to say something but held my tongue. 

Apr 15, 2025 01:05 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Kathy. I have done some stupid things in my time. I constantly remind myself "think before you act" and "put your brain in gear before putting your mouth in drive". I have also been on the other side and had to remind people to follow that advice. We all need reminders! So let's feature you in BananaTudes today and spread the word. Congrats!

Apr 15, 2025 04:59 AM
Kathy Streib

Hi Wayne Martin thank you so much for the feature in my favorite group. I think we all need to be reminded at times to watch what we say. 

Apr 15, 2025 01:06 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Kathy - everything and everyone is on "stage".  The saying, real life is not a dress rehearsal seems truer today than ever before.    

Apr 15, 2025 05:23 AM
Kathy Streib

Even more so, right Michael Jacobs Cameras everywhere. 

Apr 15, 2025 01:06 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Kathy... I believe we continue to see a decline in customer service across the board. People in the service business too often forget that you generally don't get a second chance to make a good first impression.

Apr 15, 2025 05:40 AM
Kathy Streib

Nina Hollander, Broker I don't think people care, which is sad. 

Apr 15, 2025 01:07 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Kathy Streib good morning, Kathy. You might just be right in your assessment and that is very sad. I was raised with the idea that if something is worth doing, it's worth doing well.

Apr 16, 2025 04:34 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

While I think it is important to tell the buyers or sellers what could happen in a transaction, your discussions should be spoken in general...not about specific agents. You might say, some agents are new and might not understand how to do a certain job...but always say, we all were new once. Those who bash another agent (unless you have no choice) are unprofessional. That being said, if I consider an agent so bad that I will not do business with them, I will tell my client "I can not represent you on this particular home. If you choose to purchase it I will be happy to turn over all docs to a new agent that you choose to represent you). Only one time in my career did a client choose to purchase a home that I would not deal with the agent. It never closed for them and they came back to me.

Apr 15, 2025 06:38 AM
Kathy Streib

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty you have a good way of putting it. When we sold one of our homes in FL, I told Larry that we could not list it with a particular agent. Why? When he called the house, he never addressed me but asked to speak with Larry. 

Apr 15, 2025 01:09 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

Kathy, First impressions often set the tone, whether it’s fair or not. It’s a good reminder to lead with kindness and stay open-mined!

Apr 15, 2025 07:50 AM
Kathy Streib

So true Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 We have to spread kindness when we can. 

Apr 15, 2025 01:09 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

This is why I do not have a magnet or signage on my car, as I know my tendencies to have a heavy right foot and do not want to leave a bad impression. I think stress reveals who we truly are as it scratches beneath the surface and what is underneath bubbles up live lava on a volcano.

Apr 15, 2025 08:40 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

This is why I do not have a magnet or signage on my car, as I know my tendencies to have a heavy right foot and do not want to leave a bad impression. I think stress reveals who we truly are as it scratches beneath the surface and what is underneath bubbles up live lava on a volcano.

Apr 15, 2025 08:40 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Kathy, for sharing your experience and advice.

Have a great day!

Apr 15, 2025 08:42 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 Kathy,
I can't tell you how many times I've been tempted to call a business due to the way their employees are driving. They want to advertise their sign. Their driving is sending a message too. 

Apr 15, 2025 09:59 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

People working in the public eye should always comport themselves as though they are being watched as the new reality is that they are.

Apr 15, 2025 10:13 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Kathy excellent points.  My thought is, if one is their authentic self then there is nothing to hide.  Be yourself.  As for saying stupid stuff like 'buyers are liars'.....who ever started that to begin with. I always thought that was down right rude!!

Apr 15, 2025 10:16 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Kathy,

What a powerful message! Always beware of the impression your are created...opinions are formed and you might not like what's being said about you!

Apr 15, 2025 10:50 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Hi Kathy,

First impressions—those initial perceptions of someone we meet—are often lasting. Appearance, body language, and communication skills all play a role in shaping them. These snap judgments significantly influence how we view and interact with others.

Apr 15, 2025 12:38 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks for this insightful reflection, Kathy Streib! Your story really highlights how our actions, even in casual moments, shape our professional reputations. It’s a great reminder to stay mindful of the impressions we leave—both in real estate and beyond!

Apr 15, 2025 02:09 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I hope that the real me is showing all of the time, even if people don't like who the real me is, haha.  My main concern is whether or not God approves of the real me, that matters most in my life!

Apr 16, 2025 05:08 AM
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

Excellent advice Kathy Streib   I have made a mistake or two in the past and am always trying to take the high road.  Great advice in the 2nd half of your blog!

Apr 16, 2025 10:09 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Kathy:

This is such good advice to keep in mind.

That first impression can make have such a powerful impact - good AND bad, and people remember how it made them feel. And of course that's not just in real life but online, too.

Jeff

Apr 16, 2025 03:59 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

We definitely need to mind ourselves because there are no do-overs in real estate and many other industries as well, Kathy. Went to a new restaurant the other day and while the service was good, the food was lackluster. I will call and have a conversation with the manager because I'd like for it to be successful. Had the service been the same as the food, it would no longer be on my radar!

Apr 17, 2025 06:53 AM