One of the biggest mistakes most agents do is they lie to their potential clients right from the beginning. They meet someone, make promises, and set up expectations that they can't possible keep up with.
One of my favorite questions from potential buyers and sellers is, "Should I wait about six months and see what happens?" Most agents tell their clients that if they had a crystal ball, they would tell them, but their opinion is that they should buy or sell now, because you don't know what the future will bring. Give your clients the facts and let them decide for themselves. If you tell them what to do, you may be setting yourself up for a lawsuit.
I tell my clients, "If I owned a crystal ball, I wouldn't be standing here because I would be at the lottery counter buying tickets!" Don't set yourself up by promising your clients things you can't possibly deliver on. I say, under promise and over deliver is the way to true success and client happiness.
Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)746-9573
I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard. All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.
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Great Blog, with a great point! Promising something you can not follow through with or that is beyond your control is a very bad idea. It just sets you up to look bad if it does not play out as you promised it would.
Todd, great post. Only yesterday we had a meeting with some potential clients who asked similiar about buying. While we could have made an easy sale it was not the right time for them (engaged) thus we built a plan to keep abreast of a certain price range, got them pre-qual'd and ready for June when they get married.
Hi Todd... Great advice. I use the crystal ball analogy at least once or twice a day!
Todd
If a Realtor can't deliver it will catch up with them sooner or later.
Tom
Todd, I don't make a practice of lying to my clients or potential clients. Like Tim & Pam, I tell them the truth and hope that they will choose me when they are ready.
Todd, Another great post from your stockpile of great posts. Words to live by...
Todd, I try not to overdo it when I'm setting their expactations. Like, who knows?
Todd, so true! I think that you need to be upfront and not sugar coat it to get what you want. It is about the client and truly representing them and their best interests.
Give your clients the facts and let them decide for themselves.
Todd- Good advice. Given the same set of facts, what's right for one client may not be right for another. Ultimately, it should be their decision.
What I've found is that lying is not a one-time occurance. People lie as a habit, wether it is a small or big habit. Those that lie, it seems to me, can't help it. I'm not saying they have an excuse. I'm saying once they start ... good luck stopping and good luck having someone believe them. Agents can do this too when working with clients. The client might not know though.
Tru dat! I think that you have to build your business on referrals for life. Therefore, we always need to act in the CLIENT'S BEST INTERESTs, if we're going to serve OUR BEST INTERESTS.
TC,
Good advice!!! And I'm not going to lie to you...I'm still mourning the Eagles loss!!! Thanks, Fran
Todd, I agree whole heartedly. And, I have an email to send. Thanks for the reminder. Oops.
Later in the rain~Deb
I say, under promise and over deliver is the way to true success and client happiness.
Amen to that. You will have a long, highly successful career with that approach.
some times the truth hurts...but its easier to remember the truth then it is to remember something you made up......