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Do You Practice The Golden Rule?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792

Golden RuleThere is nothing better than living by the "golden rule."

Whether it's in business, family, friends or perfect strangers we all need to remember to treat others as we wish to be treated.

Egos in Real Estate sometimes run very high but true professionals never need to put others down in order to lift themselves up. 

So, while the economy stinks, escrows become harder to close and things are just pretty much more difficult...remember to apply the "golden rule."

Common courtesy is also a big part of our business and life. With all the short sales and REO properties, agents seem to find it difficult to return phone calls, emails or simply acknowledge receipt of offers. We all need to remember, that there are real human beings out there who are anxious for a response.

Buyers are still wanting to feel excited when they buy a house whether it's a short sale or an REO. They still want to experience that "wow" feeling. It 's important that we all help to keep the "wow" in real estate. It's makes for a much better world and a much better life when we can all get along and practice the "golden rule" and common courtesy.

Lucky Lang, the top Realtor in Davenport, Iowa and fellow Active Rain member since October 2006 is once again vying for the top Realtor for Quad-City businesses. Last year Lucky won and we have a chance to help him make that happen again. Please help support one of our own, Lucky Lang and vote at Quad City Times. You need to sign-up but they never send anything so don't be concerned about that...just give Lucky your support and vote. Thanks.

INSTRUCTIONS on Voting for Lucky: go to Quad City Times: From memory since after you vote you can't get in again.

1. Click Sign In

2. Register Today! Fill out your email and give yourself a password

3. Log-in with your email and password

4. Look for a category that says Vote for PEOPLE

5. Chose Realtor, Click on BEST Real Estate Agent

6. Chose Lucky Lang

Comments(66)

Liz Carter
Liz Carter & Team Realty-Your Real Estate Resource For Life! - Katy, TX
Broker/Owner of Liz Carter & Team Realty, Katy TX (Houston)

Gena...

Here is the link to my group, Texas Real Estate .  L

Gena & Lucky....

I'm so sorry but I went back to the site, and the voting had closed, so I didn't get a chance to vote for you, Lucky.  I would have loved to since I truly believe you are the best real estate agent for your area, and one of the best in the country for that matter!

Please let me know in time next year and I will vote and help Gena spread the word!

Gena...I use I-Stock when I need a photo I don't have, but needed another good site, so I will try the fotolia one, thanks.  Stay well & happy, Liz

Aug 15, 2008 10:13 AM
Garren Grup
John R. Wood REALTORS - Naples, FL
REALTOR, ABR, CNE,CDPE, GRI, Naples & Bonita Springs, FL

I'm one of thse people that gives 200% to people even if I know they're not going to buy or sell with me.  I do it not only for the satisfaction but also to promote the professionalism in our entire profession!

I wish that "Golden Rule" could work in reverse for one year... the deals I'd close and the satisfied clients I'd have would really fire me up and my business here in the Naples, FL areas!

Aug 15, 2008 12:19 PM
Geanne Pack
RE/MAX GOLD - Roseville, CA

Hi Gena, I'm also with RE/MAX Gold and I loved your post!!  It's so refreshing to know that there are agents out there that are willing to go the extra mile to treat others well.  I can't tell you how many times I've tried to get a call returned or a confirmation of offer received and the agent tells me to "check his website" that he/she doesn't have time to call each agent.  Well said and BRAVO to you!! :)

Aug 15, 2008 12:31 PM
Cynthia Grebenstein
Keller Williams Chattahoochee North - Roswell, GA
Opening Doors For You!

Here Here

Almost anyone can show homes it's the true professional that offers service service service.  We call it "High Touch Service"  in my office. Great Post.

Aug 15, 2008 01:55 PM
Gena Riede
Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA
Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Robert, you obviously have a sense of humor. Some actually believe that but those are typically the ones who don't listen to their conscience.  Thanks.

Russell, yes unfortunately it isn't a perfect world but with very little effort, it could be. Something so very simple that some make so difficult.

Liz, thank you so much for coming back with the link. It sounds like a great group and I will be sure to put this in it after I join. Thank you.

 

Aug 15, 2008 03:23 PM
Gena Riede
Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA
Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Liz, I join the Texas group and added the article. Thank you.

I'm so disappointed that the voting ended. It would have been so fantastic to have AR come out in mass and vote. How cool would that have been. I'm sure he'll win again this year, anyway. He is the best! I appreciate you trying and I know Lucky does, too.  Thank you.

Garren, there are a lot of people like you and I hope that we will be able to convince more. Sometimes, it's easier to put others down or not give 200% but at the end of the day, I bet you feel good about yourself and how you treat everyone. Let's have some more like you!!

Geanne, a Remax Gold...I'll have to check you out! I've heard that same thing and isn't it such a shame. Some folks have forgotten how to do business. Greed has gotten in the way where some feel the need to grab as much as they can and give little or no service. It's very sad! I feel your pain and have experienced the same, unfortunately.

Aug 15, 2008 03:31 PM
Gena Riede
Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA
Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Cynthia, isn't it a shame that we need to give service a new name...it is so lacking in so many different areas and I for one hope that it comes back, soon.

Aug 15, 2008 03:33 PM
Cynthia Grebenstein
Keller Williams Chattahoochee North - Roswell, GA
Opening Doors For You!

Gena, It sure is. In 25 years of selling real estate I didn't even think about it. Now I have to remind some of my agents. This market will set the service minded apart.

Aug 15, 2008 03:44 PM
Gena Riede
Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA
Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Cynthia, it's so nice to hear that you do help remind your agents how important service is...more should do the same. Any agent working on the other end appreciates it, too.

Aug 15, 2008 05:35 PM
Jim Frimmer
HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA
Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

Several years ago my partner told his employees to "plyegoah" whenever they left home to come to the office. It means, and it's an acronym for, "please leave your ego at home." It's the only way one can be PPPP and earn P, i.e., be Pleasant, Positive, Personable, and Professional in order to earn Profit.

Aug 15, 2008 07:04 PM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

I started understanding service way back in high school when I was a member of Key Club, a service club. Then I went to Texas A&M University and joined Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity. Post-college activities have led me to Special Olympics, Breast Cancer Research, HIV-AIDS Research, Red Cross, Muscular Dystrophy, SPCA, and many others. I wish someone would pay me just to spend 16 hours a day, 7 days a week, volunteering with volunteer and charitable organizatios. I would be so happy. Since I don't foresee that happening, I have to be satisfied with being the best service professional I can.

Aug 15, 2008 08:26 PM
Dwight Puntigan
DRP Realty, LLC - Saint Peters, MO
Dwight Puntigan

I really feel that I do not have the patience that I used to have.  So it is a battle not to over react to a given situation.  The Golden Rule does help.

Thanks for the WOW comment.  Often in my desire to have the client acting with their eyes wide open, I probably don't leave them a chance to get excited and enjoy the experience.

Aug 16, 2008 01:14 AM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

"They still want to experience that "wow" feeling. It 's important that we all help to keep the "wow" in real estate. It's makes for a much better world and a much better life when we can all get along and practice the "golden rule" and common courtesy."

This tells me more about you as a person and a professional Realtor than a mountain of statistics or points! Thanks for posting and thanks for checking out my Janis Joplin post. I replied earlier that we are obviously in the same marketing "niche" and i would like to add you as an associate (but I always ask first)!

 

Aug 16, 2008 05:21 AM
Gena Riede
Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA
Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Jim, I love the acronyms. There GRRRRREAT! Leaving the ego behind works so much better for everyone and shows that a person has risen above the rest when they do. Thanks for sharing the PPPP and earn P...absolutely love it! Go out and make it a GREAT weekend!

Russell, that is quite an impressive line-up. It would be wonderful if we could all volunteer full time and money was no object but like you said the next best thing is to provide impeccable service in our profession and help make dreams come true.

Dwight, being fully aware of the importance of understanding an escrow full is indeed our fuduciary responsiblity with each and every client but at the same time, we really do need to loosen up a bit and let that "Wow" factor penetrate. A home buyer needs to feel that while knowing that they are in the safety of your professional arms.

Aug 16, 2008 06:59 AM
Gena Riede
Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA
Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Russell, by all means please feel free to add me as an associate and it would be a pleasure to add you as well...anyone that still listens to Janis can't be all bad, right?

Many times with Realtors in the same marketing "niche" there is some sort of competition that exudes, a feeling of superiority and strangely a persona that all MUST be mine. This is where it becomes even more important to grasp, that there is plenty for everyone, no one person has all the answers, no one has the crystal ball, and not all clients feel comfortable with each one of us.

I have no problem sharing. I learned that way back in kindergarten.  I am confident enough in myself to know that I will not get every single home buyer or home seller and that there are enough for each and everyone of us.

I hope we can be friends. It's always nice to have a good relationship with our fellow "nichers." You never know when our paths may cross in an escrow. And how sweet that would be.

However, you are in Texas and I am in California so I don't think we are in the same "niche" but couldn't resist writing for all of those who are in the same "niche."

Aug 16, 2008 07:08 AM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

Gena I also posted this on the comment you left on my remodeling" blogI agree that there are many people who are intimidated not only by our niche but by folks like you and me who have worked in this particular market for years. We all get up and go to work every day but i think it takes a truly dedicated individual to deal with our clients who rightfully expect impeccable service! Ther are just not a lot of people in the Luxury market because it takes a long time to get invested and build clientele in most cases!

I alo like the idea of knowing other brokers in our area of expertise in other parts of the country (though we are members of Christies Great Estates)that, if the need arises i could refer business and I already know you would take good care of anyone i sent your way.

One other thing. I just left an Active rain gathering here in Austin that jason organized and I fibnally met LIZ! She is a really fine person and it was a completely enjoyable time. I am also glad you joined the Texas Group. Liz has a new contest for the best place to beat the heat in Texas in August and I am entering my post next friday (and yes...I plan to win) so check it out!

Thanks for adding me as an associate and I will do the same before I log off this evening! Have a great weekend!    Russell

Aug 16, 2008 11:32 AM
Christina Williams. REALTORĀ® TN property search & local insights
First Realty Company - Crossville, TN

Brilliant advice! We need to paste this one on our walls!

Aug 16, 2008 03:32 PM
Shannon Gilmore, CRS
Long and Foster Real Estate - Warrenton, VA
Real Estate Sales Associate with Long and Foster

A great and timely post for me !  I just had an experience where an agent made a comment that was totally unprofessional and of questionable intent to my buyers.  I am moving on and it's a reminder from buyers who a few off hand comments can really be a turn off.  Yes Buyers expect a WOW and so do I !  If there isn't a wow for the agent there won't be one for the buyer and maybe it's time to rethink being in Real Estate.  Thanks for this positive post!

Aug 17, 2008 06:54 AM
Norma J. Elkins
Elite Realty Group - Morristown, TN
Realtor - Elkins Home Selling Team

Great post and very good advice - I agree!

Aug 17, 2008 09:06 AM
Harrison K. Long
HomeSmart, Evergreen Realty - Irvine, CA
REALTOR , GRI, Broker associate, Attorney

Thanks for your blog about The Golden Rule. We our now in the midst of NATIONAL FRIENDSHIP WEEK, which started August 17, 2008.

I agree with you that in business, family, friends or perfect strangers, we need to remember to treat others as we wish to be treated. Thanks.

Harrison K. Long, Explore Properties Group

Aug 18, 2008 04:43 AM