Using Sound Judgment is Different From Being Judgmental, Especially When Dealing with Buyers

Elizabeth - Amen!  I'd actually like to thank all of the snooty, judgemental agents that refused to work with my clients first because they were low-medium income first timers.  Because of the snobby and judgemental attitudes of these particular agents, I had to opportunity to work with some of the best people I have ever known and continue to work with to this day.

I have one particular client who I have put into three homes in the last eight years and they came to me after a few stuck Realtors refused to work with them because they were looking to buy a small one bedroom condo.  In the eight years I've known that couple, I have done two home loans for them as well as a refi and they have sent me numerous referrals.

I have so many stories like that and most of them are from my low-medium income buyers who are in the low end price range.  Yes, I've had the million dollar buyers too, unfortunately, most of them ended up being what I now call the million dollar monsters or maniacs.  I'll take my little low end buyers any day of the week over the million dollar monster.

Elizabeth - This is the first time I've had an opportunity to read one of your posts it's a definite keeper!  My most valued clients have been first time buyers have who brought me repeat business from their referrals and when it was time for them to move up to a bigger home.  Agents who prefer to be judgemental are missing the boat when they think more of their pockets than living up to the the true spirit of our profession.

Elizabeth, using the analogy of dead heading the flowers was brilliant! I agree with the non judgemental approach and I like your mindset of serving the public. Helping people is what I'm all about too.

Elizabeth - Great post! Best not to jump to conclusions ever. Every sale adds up especially these days. Oh and don't dead head those flowers at the end of the season. Let them go to seed for the Winter. At least in my area the Godfinches will treat you to quite a show as they feast on the seeds.

Good for you Elizabeth.  We're all in this to make money but if we treat people the way we'd like to be treated, we will make money while we're providing a service and developing relationships that will be with us for years to come.

You never know what's behind the door Elizabeth. I say serve honestly, follow the code of ethics, and good things will come to us. Right now on Kauai where the median price of a home was almost 700k, the bulk of the sales are between 350-450. I know that sounds high for most areas, but relatively speaking, it's the entry level of our market. Aloha from Kauai...

I couldn't agree with you more....It's not dollar signs it's people we're working with. I a working pretty much with anyonebreathing including rentals. I fact I worked with over 30 remntals last year and 6 came ond bought this year. I find also that they are often very appreciative and can be a fantastic source of referrals.

Nice featured blog.  Working with all price-range people is the way to go.

Elizabeth: If I only worked with buyers only over $200,000 I would be missing out on more than 50% of the buyers because our median home price is $144,000.  First-time home buyers are my favorite client to work for not because of what I earn which isn't much but because they are just appreciative of my time and knowledge.

It about doing the right thing by people, those 100K buyers become the 250K buyers who refer you to the 350K sellers and so on and so forth

Elizabeth - Great Post!!  I too work with every price range and in our market you would be showing $50,000.  A pretty common saying in our office is "give me 3 $100,000 1st time home buyers in exchange for the over $300,000 new McMansion buyer everyday!"  I've said it many times!  My market was and is now back to the 1st Timers - I love to educate them.  Now, guess what,  after 6 years in the business, of the 5 closes I have coming up 2 are from my blogging, 1 from phone call on prop, and 3 from past clients or referrals from clients.  I just closed one of my first timers on her 3rd deal.  I am very proud of my clients and the education I give them and they way they are so eager to learn.  It's paying off in the long run!!!

Thanks and have a great day!

I LOVE your metaphor!  Makes it easier for me to think about buyers and flowers - Already more appealing!

Elizabeth - great post.  We work with a lot of investors - is our bread and butter per se.  It is a nice mix to work with investors and then have some homebuyers and a lot of listings, again in different price ranges.  We like the fact that we have this mix - is one of the reasons we are having a great year !  Without the diversitiy in our business, our production would be a lot less !

Elizabeth,

Wow, what a great post. 

Thanks for reminding us of how our judment and perception precludes others!

What a fitting analogy. I have learned not to make assumptions about any buyer's value to me. There's incredible value in each and every one, even if it's just in the relationship.

Sandy

I left a comment yesterday (I think!), however, I was on ActiveRain's home page and I noticed how nice your avatar is.  Your smiling face is very warm and inviting.  I just thought I would pass that on to ya!  ;)

•:*¨¨*:• Colleen Lane •:*¨¨*:•