Crystal Webster
By Crystal Webster
DISCLAIMER: Please read this as a challenge; a challenge to use our predecessors as a spring board to do bigger and better.
In case you aren’t aware, we’re in a heat wave – it’s REALLY hot. My car thermostat has said at least 100 degrees for the past 2 weeks straight, and that’s not even with the heat index or adding the Kansas City humidity. But, I have to ‘TCB’ for my clients (take care of business). I suck it up, take eight showers a day, and wear as few clothes as possible without getting arrested.
I recently had to request the same addendum from a “more seasoned” agent eight days straight. She wasn’t able to get me the paperwork because she was afraid she had heat stroke. Once I finally received the information it was dated 12 days prior (as well as the email she forwarded it from). REALLY lady?!? Your heat stroke kept you from forwarding an email in the comfort of your own air conditioned home; even after I bothered you every day for over a week?
Later that same week I received a resolution from unacceptable conditions from a buyer’s agent. Items needing to be fixed? “Anything that the Kansas City Dream Program wants.” REALLY!?! Can you please be a little more specific? After calls to the buyer’s loan officer, the city, county, state, both brokers and BEGGING a city inspector to come out (in the thousand degree heat) I finally finished up her job and found out exactly what needed to be completed for the home to qualify for the program.
It seems like I could go on and on with stories similar to this. But these people don’t seem to be doing their clients (or themselves) justice. These agents are leaving “money on the table,” as my broker would say – and I’m there to sweep it up and put it back into my client’s pocket.
I challenge you to play offense instead of defense with your deals. Find ways to work bigger, better, faster for your clients and, therefore, help out your cooping agent.
Crystal Webster is a REALTOR® in the Kansas City area. Visit her at www.kcyoungprofessionals.com and www.theheritagehometeam.com.
Comments 2
Welcome to the real world of real estate:) In nearly 40 years of practice I have had very few transactions that went smoothly with the other agent doing their job:( Get ahead of the game and read my new little real estate book. Hopefully lots of tips and ideas to help buyers and sellers with their agents and each other. I welcome any and all comments.
There is something unique about the the real estate business that find interesting. As agents we have a responsibility to our clients buyers and sellers to represent them in what is most like the single largest transaction they will do in their lives.What I find is agents inject their ego or personal feelings in to the transactions which muddies the waters. while we are to negotiate to get the best deal for our clients. In many cases I find agents who view the opposing agent as a enemy verses a partner at the risk of the transaction. They are rude and uncooperative basing decisons on their own feelings and interest. At the end of the day they may close some deals but loss clients and certainly future relationships. I suggest we pursue a win win solution with our clients best interest in mind and not our own. After all it is their transaction and not ours, we are stewards.