Just say NO !
HERE IS WHERE I SAID NO TODAY:
1. I have a realtor but they are too busy. Can you show me the property ? NO !
2. I am just curious in the property. Dont ask my any questions about my personal finances. Show me the property. NO !
3. Come list my property now for over market value, under market commission that includes impossible incentives. NO !
These were pretty easy "No"s. It is empowering as the probablity of each of the above being a waste of time is high. And the appreciation of the services we provide in each of these cases is low. Our goal and passion is to work with clients who value our services, value our time and are eager to work with us. Those relationships are invaluable.
In the past, I was the type of person who wanted every listing - to work with every seller and with every buyer.
I think that type of mentality is great when you are just starting off to build a business or to even survive. However, with more experience, market knowledge and a broader client base, you have the intuition to know what makes sense and what does not to prioritze your time and maximize your efficiency and production.
Even being a top producer today, it is very difficult for me to say no as I can be a people-pleaser (and the nice guy) to a great extent. But with the challenges in today's market and knowing what is realistic and what is not, I have come to say no recently with more ease.
Have you said no to anyone today ? The next time you compromise your time or service, it may be good to think about saying "NO" !
Philadelphia Real Estate - Chris and Stephanie Somers
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Good list -- unless you say no on occasion you will end up driving people abot who cannot possibly buy and listing homes that won't possibly sell.
Chris~ It is a good idea sometimes to JUST SAY NO! (And it feels good too, doesn't it?)
I just said "No, thank you" to a 'pre-approved' buyer who wanted to see a couple properties last week. After several attempts to get a copy of his lender letter (and even his lender's contact info) with no success, I felt it was time to move on. Buh Bye...NEXT!
How about..."Can you sell my home that I owe $70,000 on for $45,000 (short sale with a BPO done on it) for little commission?"
NO Thank you.
And saying NO, feels GREAT doesn't it?
Bob and Carolin - so true !! It can lead to a lot of wasted effort and time. The key is to qualify who you are speaking to.
Vickie - It can feel great... in the past, I would feel bad. These days, you are right, it feels great. Also, it catches some folks completely off guard !
Lanette - Good choice... good call !
Laura - LOL, yes, it happens much too often that I see where a lot of realtors can run around... I have seen some buyers and even sellers go through realtor after realtor...
Pat - OMG, it does !!!! You would never know how great it feels until you do it. Very empowering to say the least.
Learning to just say no is really empowering!
Christopher and Stephanie:
I really like that one. Your getting very edgy which is great. Let's say that we are business people and not servants.
Richard
Christopher and Stephanie,
It's actually easy to say "yes." Saying "no" is more strategic, but necessary from time-to-time. Good one. :)
Steve
Chris & Stephanie - I don't say "NO" very often because my motto is "I can say yes, when other lenders say no". I have though had to fire clients during the pre-escrow stage because of people who were extremely rude and obnoxious or who wouldn't respect boundaries or the worst yet, asked me to do something illegal and/or unethical.
I figured that if they were like that befoe we ever got into escrow, what would they be like in escrow so better to get rid of them before I couldn't dump them. However, having said that, there are a few that I should have fired before we got into escrow because once we got into escrow they ended up becoming the type of client that I actually despise working with and the transaction became the kind of transaction that I was counting the days until it was over. Once escrow closed, I actually removed those people from my database because they ended up not being someone I ever wanted to work with again.
Thank God, most of my transaction don't end up like that and luckily, I end up working with so many really great people, which more than makes up for the few monsters.
No is my second favorite word. Next has become my favorite. I think they might run hand in hand.
I am working on saying no. I get hollered at when I say no, but if it feels right to do it, I try.
I love the way you think.
A while ago a buyer called the office and i picked up and he tried to "order up a realtor"... meet me at the property at 4 pm. He wouldn't give me his name or number. I told him unless he gave me that info, I could not set up the appointment. He became pretty irate and cursed me out.
I told him he was free to call any other firm, but that nobody in my office would meet him without knowing his name or phone number.
Hi Chris & Stephanie,
Saying no is very empowering, but I feel like I'm saying it all the time these days! :)
Good for you! You are a professional. We REALTORS® deserve more respect and demanding it is a sure fire way to get it!
Like sharon just stated, its about respect your self, time and talent, knowing the difference between running around in circles and being productive.
Good Advice! No is a very powerful word and its getting easier and easier to say.
Hi Christopher and Stephanie,
It's funny how many people we run into who mention they have a realtor and just want a FREE second opinion on things. The problem is that opinion is usually followed up with a plea to drive them around the entire neighborhood for a day. In this housing downturn, one simply has to be able to say no, even if an agent has no clients. It's a way of educating your buyer and seller and a way to free up space which could be better spent elsewhere. Great post as always and keep up the good work associate!
Patricia - You got that right !
Richard - You are correct... as business people, we can choose who we work with and when we realize that someones expectations are not realistic, suggest nicely that they can go elsewhere. If we say yes all the time, we take the risk of getting stepped on and our time wasted.
Steve - Correct - I love saying yes too ! I love to help people buy and sell properties. But if I say yes to everyone I end up being drained by the drainers and my time is taking away from those clients who really need our help in the present (and who really appreciate what we do).
Donne - We can relate. 9 out of 10 people that we work with turns out to be incredible. It can be that other 1 out of 10 that can take the joy out of everything, so that is the risk.
LOVE the NO list...but mine may be longer --- hahahaha. Thanks for the terrific post and reminder that it is OKAY to say no. ;) P
Pamela - I know the list can be a lot longer. Please add to it ! Those were just 3 examples that happened in one day - I probably left a few out as most days can be a blur : )
Great post! There is a lot of power in being able to say NO!
Another piece of cake? NO!!! ... well maybe :-)
your friend in Charlottesville VA!!!
Charles - LOL... another cookie ? It has taken me awhile to learn to say no more often... but it feels great to realize that I cannot help everyone as some expectations are too high or it is just too much of an uphill battle and I would rather focus on our current clients who really value what we do.
This is very well stated and a necessary, but oftentimes hard, thing to put into action. Your clear and concise message helps put things into perspective for how to appropriately handle particular situations.