Real estate is a game. Not the type that it can be portrayed as in the media. But a game nonetheless. There are rules, strategies, winners and losers.
As real estate professionals with clients, we are responsible for teaching our buyers and sellers HOW to play this game. And to play it fairly and professionally.
For the most part the general population have limited knowledge about how the game of real estate works. They see what they see on HGTV and the property shows they are addicted to. But we real estate agents know, this is NOT reality tv.
One of the most often misunderstood or the rule most ignored rather is etiquette. Yes, emotions can be running high and there can sometimes be a lot riding on a deal but this doesn’t give any one the right to be unfair, unethical or down right rude for that matter.
We see this all too often. A buyer wanting to extremely and unjustly lowball offer on a house in busy market because they’ve seen it done on The Property Brothers. This is our number one responsibilty as real estate professionals. Sharing actual market knowledge with buyers and sellers and explaining to them how negotiation works. Picking prices based on what you’ve seen on television or a gut feeling is just not the way it’s done. Guiding buyers through market analysis and showing them market conditions to help them understand and learn a homes true value and the process of negotiations should they need to sell a home in the future.
Next, we have to think of this same situation from the sellers perspective. Receiving a low ball offer that may have been justified. Hopefully this isn’t often the case for you as a real estate agent because it would mean that you likely have taken a listing that is over priced. Nonetheless, here you may end up. In most cases low ball offers can make a home seller less than happy. Irate in some cases. Due to emotional attachments or just for the money. Regardless of the reasons as a real estate professional it is your job to remain calm, take the emotion out of it and help bring your seller to a less irrational state and help them get the result they were ultimately looking for.
Our actions, and reactions are mirrors to our home buyer and seller clients. If we are calm, fair and professional it is very likely that they will be too. Even the most “know-it-ally” of clients are really just looking for your advice and support. When push comes to shove, they totally know it’s the realtor that knows what they are doing and how to complete a successful home purchase or sale.
But the moment you start losing your cool, bashing the other side or just being far too emotional you have lost the game.
Additionally we must always remember that etiquette between professionals and brokerage to brokerage is also important. If we cannot respect our colleagues and other sales professionals in the real estate industry then how can we expect the public to respect us? When negotiating deals, facilitating showings or anything transaction wise you should always be courteous, respectful and professional to the real estate professionals on the other side. Not only to set a good example, but you also never know when you will come across this person or brokerage again. You may need them in your corner at one time or another.
With all of the ups and downs the real estate market has, remaining professional and holding high standards will always take the win.
