Career Change Haiku

~ So long real estate ~

No regrets - new friends were made

Many lost friends found!

And a huge THANK YOU to my wonderfully talented cousin, Joe. I love receiving his poems in the mail - the REAL mail. And he has inspired me to give it a shot!

R.I.P. Big Man!

Adrian Belew!

"Oh, that's ok! Our agent gave us the lockbox code!"

"Oh that's ok. Our agent gave us the lockbox code!"

My new sellers were so excited! We listed their house and they had their first showing scheduled for 11am. At 12:10pm, Mr. Seller called: "Sue, it doesn't look like anyone was here. There isn't a card, and the lights were still on." I told him I'd give the buyer's agent a call & confirm they saw the house. I got the BA's voicemail, and then Mr. Seller called back.

"Hey Sue, there's a young couple at our front door with "Fred's" business card. They said he's out of town & he told them they could come see the house without him. So we're out on the deck and they're walking through the house."

Yikes! I didn't like THAT...having these strangers wandering through their house without an agent accompanying them. That was problem #1.

The couple was there about 15 minutes, and as they were getting ready to leave Mr. Seller asked, "By the way, what would you have done if we weren't here?"

Ready for this??? Problem #2...

"Oh that's ok. Our agent gave us the lockbox code!"

SERIOUSLY?!?!?!


Apparently this couple saw 2 other houses before ours...but those were vacant. So that made it "ok"?!?!?!


To say I was livid would be an understatement! My seller was surprisingly calm about it, but they are obviously not happy. This is not a foreclosure (which would not make it ok!!). This is a home my sellers are living in! I have since changed the code on that lockbox, and yes, I have contacted the agent's manager. This is an experienced agent, and he should definitely know better!

Ready for the kicker?? I later received a call from "Fred" who proceeded to lie and tell me he was there at 11:30 with a female client. Oh really?? How then did this couple get his card? And my code?? When I laid into him expressed my displeasure, he tried to turn it around and had the nerve to demand: "Do your sellers want to sell their house or not?!?!"

Absolutely unbelievable.

I have never, ever shared a lockbox code with a client. Or even another agent! When I am given that code, it is the key to someone's property! The Golden Rule again, folks. Do you want strangers wandering through your house whenever they want??? I don't care if it's a relative or someone "you trust". NO WAY!!! We have a Code of Ethics we must live by. Even if it weren't for the Code, what about common sense???

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Analysts Say Housing Is on the Way Up

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Analysts Say Housing Is on the Way Up

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Has Housing Reached a 'Recovery Path'?

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Has Housing Reached a 'Recovery Path'?

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Top 6 Cities Where Buying Is Better Than Renting

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Top 6 Cities Where Buying Is Better Than Renting

Lather, Rinse, Repeat!

Sometimes I wonder who the marketing genius was that came up with those instructions. Obviously the intention is to entice the consumer to quickly go through their product...then run out and buy some more.

However, anyone who has naturally curly hair knows lathering more than once tends to dry out those lovely locks.

Being a Hair Product Addict (my bathroom and linen closet are crammed full of every kind of shampoo, conditioner, mouse, gel, etc), I just HAVE to try everything. But due to skin allergies, it's very important that I not use anything with harsh chemicals or excessive perfumes.

My latest discovery? Trader Joe's Refresh Citrus Shampoo with Vitamin C. Yes, my hair will never catch another cold! lol

Anyway, besides my hair absolutely LOVING it, I was impressed with the instructions for its use.

THERE WEREN'T ANY!

Imagine that. A company that doesn't insult my intelligence. That doesn't entice me to use more of the product so I can come back and buy more! And they don't have to...because the product's results have already sold me.

Now you may be saying to yourself, "That's great Sue, but what does this have to do with selling real estate?"

Good question!

I am a firm believer in NOT asking for referrals. For not putting my clients and friends on the spot by begging them to lather, rinse, repeat "use me more often" and NOT insulting their intelligence with slick scripts.

If I do a great job, and provide a great product (me!), they'll come back for more. And they'll tell two friends. And so on, and so on, and so on...

*Yes, you have to be of a certain age to know where that line comes from!*

There Is No "I" In Award

We hear it all the time...there is no "I" in Team.

I'd like to add there is no "I" in Award, either.

When the Oscar winners give their acceptance speeches, they thank the people behind the scenes who contribute to their success.

And recently, I was awarded a plaque from my company for achievements in 2010. To say I was surprised would be an understatement (seriously...I didn't see that coming at all!), and the first thing I did was personally thank each of my clients from last year.

Because without those wonderful folks putting their faith & trust in me, there IS no award!

Also, I would like to acknowledge and thank these "behind the scenes" contributors:

• My Broker
• My Admin team
• The agents & brokers on the other side of the transactions
• The buyers & sellers on the other side of the transactions
• The lenders
• The home inspectors
• The appraisers
• The underwriters
• The title & escrow reps

And last but certainly not least, THANK YOU to my FAMILY! The past few years have been challenging at times. But you have hung in there with your constant love, support...and very strong shoulders!

I couldn't have done this without you!!

Web: WestClevelandSuburbs.com
Does Your Real Estate Agent "Sell With Soul"? 
The Golden Rule...it's that simple!

Beg For Referrals?? MY Golden Rule Says "Don't You Dare!"

As a real estate agent, I never know where my next client will come from. I know I may be over-simplifying here, but these methods of securring business just don't make me want to hop out of bed in the morning:

~ Capturing the lead
~ Converting the FSBO
~ Going after the Expired listing
~ Begging Asking for referrals

I'm especially uneasy with the last one. I refuse to beg/pester/annoy anyone for referrals. If I do my job well, then I feel confident my family, friends and past clients will remember me if they know someone who has a real estate need.

And here's where the Golden Rule comes in...at least for me:

If someone I have worked with in the past has done a superb job, and they were likable enough, I have no problem referring them to someone else looking for that same kind of service. But if said-superb-service provider contacted me every month...whether to say "hi" or send me "something of value", and ended each such contact with a gentle reminder to send business his way...well, frankly, I'd be annoyed. I don't need my dentist or insurance salesman or car dealer or handyman contacting me 12+ times a year to remind me they're in the business...and would LOVE my referrals.

As a matter of fact, DON'T YOU DARE contact me that much.

I'm an intelligent woman, and I have a pretty good memory. I know exactly who my insurance agent is, even though I haven't spoken to him in over a year. My handyman and my dentist are wonderful...and I've referred others to them many times. Before I became a Realtor, I remembered who my real estate agent was. She did a great job and I used her services several times over the years and recommended her to others, even though I only heard from her on my birthday and at Christmas.

Of course this is just me, and the way I choose to run my business. I'm sure those methods work for other agents.

But this is my business. And it sure is a wonderful thing that I get to decide how to manage it!