The Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

I recently just went through a deal where I was the listing agent, and the buyers agent played the role of the bully.  Thank the lord that deal went to settlement last Monday.  At settlement I watched and the buyers were very easy going, it was all the buyer's agent who made the deal a living hell.

I think those are great tips for anyone in sales or the customer service industry.

It is bound to be emotional, real estate one of the big three in people's lives: marriage, children and home and I love being a part.

I have dealt with manipulating agents in co-broke transactions.  Always a power play.

Carol - it is a shame when that happens.  In many cases I think an agent can get it in the way of a deal.  Sometimes I have found that agents might be a little more bullyish if they are insecure or lack the knowledge/expertise.

Melissa - Glad you appreciate the tips !

Bill - We love being a part as well (most of the time).  Great agents are great listeners and can help resolve issues.

Marlene - Yes, we have many times as well.  What is hard is that there is not too much you can do sometimes dealing with the manipuluating agents.  The worst is trying to communicate with people who just do not get it or understand.   I always look at it as karma - that it will catch up with the manipulators...

I think I recently had a Jery Springer! lol

your friend in Charlottesville!

I love not stepping over dollars to pick up dimes :-)  I agree here's another you attract more bees with honey ... now seriously I agree every settlement is a new experience  I too do not want to be a character in a drama... great post thanks for sharing your thoughts and some expressions !

Hi Chris . . .  In my experience, every day is like a soap opera with Hyper-Drama Everywhere.

Thannks for your post

Aloha

JIm

Charles - you should elaborate a little bit !  The Jerry Springer's can be quite amusing !

Shannon - I love that saying too.  I think too many people focus on the little stuff and in turn, miss the big picture.  From a financial standpoint, sometimes folks will negotiate too much and in turn, blow up the whole deal !

James - that is what makes our professions most interesting, doesn't it ?  Every day is something different : )

Congratulations on a great feature!  No wonder I don't watch TV too often anymore--I think you're absolutely right.  Your post was terrific and it's a well deserved feature!

WOWIE ZOWIE! Two stars in one day!  Way to go guys!  Spectacular job!  KM

The fact that this business is different everyday is what attracts me to it. I had to experience many jobs in my younger years before I found my career. The most important thing that I learned about myself is I'm not a clock punching 9 to 5'er. I work 60+ hours per week and couldn't be happier. Every transaction is different and we all have some fabulous stories to tell. I had a horror story happen to me last week. I had a client who was looking for a land loan. Most people know that land loans are not too easy to find at the moment. I had two phone conversations with the client (who happens to be a Realtor,) and both went great. I found a lender who wanted to have a conference call with my client. About 5 minutes into the call, the client starts yelling at the lender because the lender could not get the deal closed in the 3 to 5 days the client needed. The fact that he needed the loan closed that quickly came as quite a surprise to me since he told me that he owned it free and clear, the refi was for improvements and I was quite clear when I told him that he could expect the transaction to take somewhere between 30 to 60 days. It was also shocking that someone who was so calm and easy going in the previous 2 conversations went off the deep end. After the call ended, I laughed, took a deep breath and picked up the phone to try someone else. We all just have to keep moving forward and not let the ones that got away trouble us for very long.

It sometimes helps to just step back and take a breath. Taking the time to think things through, many times will let you have a clearer perspective on the situation.

Wow two featured posts in one day!  I'm impressed.

boy, you are not kidding!  I think I need to start carrying around a recorder to remind myself of the shenanigans I keep getting into!  By the time I get home, I sometimes can't even remember my day to write about it! :O)  Nice job on another feature.

One thing for sure.. No two deals are exactly alike.. not even with the same buyer

Good tips C&S and right on target too.

Loved this post!   It is an emotional transaction for buyers and sellers.

Wouldn't it be nice if some of those people who exercise negativity in a transaction would check in and read your blog?  Great job!

Christopher & Stephanie,

Thanks for the post. Great sage advice. You can never go wrong with these tips.

I like watching the actors.  I absolutely love going to CE classes and watching all the actors strutting around in there.  Everyone one of them considers themself to be the BEST in the room (and we all know that i am the BEST!), but the cold hard facts are that there is only a handfull of actors in that room who are actually making a living in the RE business.  The others have full time jobs (like me), or either they are just flat faking it!  I was actually acting too, I was acting like I give a crap about the class.  Go Sara!!!!

Actually most of my transactions that closed in the last month were smooth.  I used to have nightmare closings but lately, it has been all too normal :)

Like your new header!

"Good will and generosity"--I like this. I think this is essentail for any business success. I hate a comppany that always wants to take people to court.

Lately, my transactions have been really smooth. My last closing, in September was contract to close in 8 days! It was fabulous! I love it when a plan comes together.

Carole and Kristen - Thanks !  I guess we were just "on" over the weekend !! : )

Jeff - I hear you.  That is the main reason that we love being in the profession is that every day is different.  Every deal is different.  We learn something on every deal as well.  Good luck on the land loan - you have a great attitude about it - that is the key ! 

Bonita - You are right !  Having a clear head and taking a moment is critical during those intense and/or emotional moments.

Above All - Thanks ! 

Cristal - It is crazy out there.  There is so much that happens to all of us on a daily and weekly basis.  The trick I think is to just have a good attitude as we go through it and help our clients navigate through their stressors and worries as well.

"never step over dollars to pick up dimes" - - - I never heard this one - i like it.  As far as your topic, there is something wondeful about a quiet confidence.  Often remaining very calm makes another bully agent look like a stupid jerk.  It ends up being a GREAT time haha.

I would suggest group therapy (lol)!  It is incredible how emotional buying and selling can become.  It certainly is good to have a tool box so that you can maintain calm and balance.  Looking to make the transaction a win win vs. a battle is the best one can hope for.

Thanks for the great post. No two transactions are ever the same & I still learn something new with every transaction I have. 

I loved your post, but Ed's comment made me laugh out loud.  I don't think I've ever heard another agent admitting that they like to watch other agents put on their show.  I love doing that, it is one of my favorite pasttimes.  LOL  CE classes are good as well as the yearly Board gatherings.  Funny, funny, funny.

If I had to pick a TV show as an anology for my current situation, I would say "The Dead Zone".  I have three listings, very expensive ones, and not one showing for weeks.

I recently had a buyer who went balistic over a utility transfer problem before settlement...omg...that was interesting...after closing though she paid me the best compliment ever - she couldn't believe that I stayed calm and even keeled throughout her tyrade....that was pure satisfaction!

AHHHH so true and your graphics are great:) There are so many personalities with those we deal with in Real Estate. Keeping an even keel is really important.

Christopher and Stephanie - Good advice.  I think the Television Industry is missing the boat on what I believe would be a goldmine.  There is rarely a dull day in this gig.

Hi Chris & Stephanie,

The drama of it all & I love every minute of it! LOL! I have been lucky, things have been pretty normal. But it would be really good tv! :)

great post!

Good post with practical reminders for all of us in this business.  Best wishes to your continued success!

Defiantly Jerry Springer, I had an agent that told me the law says the buyer has the sole right to choose, title, surveyor, termite etc. regardless of who is paying. I knew it not to be true, but I let her do it as long as it isn't more expensive. But some I guess do push the limit.

Wow !  Thanks everyone for commenting !  Tomorrow when I have a little more time (had a drama filled day !!), will get back to responding to the invidual comments.  I hope everyone had a great productive day without too much drama.  But if there was a lot of drama that you handled it well !  Is easier said than done sometimes !!!

Hey guys...good post! (as usual) A man that my husband worked for a long time ago (mortgage business) said "Your best revenge is a paycheck". I don't know that I agree with the impersonality of that statement, but that *is* the main goal right? So if keep our eyes on the prize .......we can play nice.

It's interesting how the lives of real estate agents has become more and more popular...  In the end, you have to be someone people WANT to work with, if you're not... then why are you in this business anyway?

Nice tips....but would it not be some fun to sell to a few Springer folks to get out of the same box we are in.  I need some drama besides the stock market.  Though I did sell to a true to life wife swap of neighbors next door in $700k homes.  So, perhaps, I did get the Jerry Springer for a month or so.......but they were high tech execs and stay at home moms......maybe not their homes.....

Diane - I welcome all negative folks to read my blog !  I think our blog might be able to jolt some positivity into anyone !

Renee - Glad you have had some smooth deals !  They are a blessing when they occur.  It is great to get a nice run of them in a row !

Huiting - Good will and generosity do go a long way !  And I have found that it comes back to me in different ways as well... whether it be referrals, good karma, or just feeling good about myself that I did a good deed : )