Over the years, some of my clients have mentioned that I wear a lot of hats. Realtors are therapists, counselors, financial advisers, accountants, attorneys, relationship advisers, and life coaches. We don’t enter into our relationships with these thoughts, but it inevitably ends up that way. We don’t mind. It’s part of why we enjoy our job.
So many times during a transaction, issues arise that need to be sorted through. Sellers might be going through a divorce so decisions need to be made while emotions are flared. Maybe adult children are faced with the finality of selling their childhood home; trying to negotiate a price is hard when sentimental value is running strong. Or maybe shortly after finding the perfect house, a buyer loses a job… or a parent… or faces a medical diagnosis. As the agent, we go through all the emotions alongside our client. Continue Reading →
A little over a year ago I hired a personal trainer to help whip me into shape. I meet with him about four times a week, and it’s definitely a team effort to fit that time into my schedule when I work full-time, work a lot of evenings and weekends, have a husband that actually enjoys my company and have young kids that still like having their mom around. What I have found is that not only is he getting my body in shape, but everything else in my life has become better, too. Maybe it’s because when someone pushes you further than you think is ever possible, it opens your mind to what other things you are capable of. I read a quote once that said, “Your mind quits long before your body does.” So true. But if I want to relate this quote to real estate, then it should read, “Your client quits long before your Realtor does.” 
Years ago when I was a high school teacher, my principal sat me down for my annual review. He listed all the things I did well, but then gently told me that I didn’t seem to have a passion for teaching, that I didn’t appear comfortable or confident in front of the class, and therefore I wasn’t engaging my students. These comments hurt. I cried for days. But then I thought about it, and he was right. I’m sure it was hard for him to tell me 
My husband and I attended a surprise birthday party last night, and one of the guests was a fellow Realtor® from a different firm. We spent the evening talking about everything from soccer teams to office pranks when the conversation eventually turned to real estate. He mentioned one of his frustrations is when someone hires him to list a house, asks for his advice, and doesn’t follow it. Then, after six months or longer on the market, the seller decides to switch agents, and that new agent tells the seller the exact same thing, the sellers listen and the house sells instantly. The new agent gets paid, the old agent gets nothing. I can’t tell you how often that happens, and it isn’t fun. 
It’s 4:30 am and I just shot an email over to my buyer requesting more documentation for our offer. To my amazement, she responds immediately. Why are we both awake so early on a Friday morning? One word: Stress!! We are both anxious about the offer we wrote on their dream home last week. There is always anxiety during the negotiation process, but when you add the pressure of a multiple offer situation, it makes it 10 times worse.