Lani busted me. I put this post on my site and then pulled it when I thought it might be a little much for my public. I thought only John G had seen but obviously not. I spoke to my dearest friend yesterday who thought I should repost it minus the foul language. (My mother’s a truck driver.) After talking with Lani it seems she agreed. I’m new to this blogging thing and haven’t yet determined what posts go where.
If I haven’t said this enough, I think I’m funny. After getting flogged for my sarcastic humor, I went ballistic in black and white. So here’s the cleaner, more professional version.
Warning: If you’re easily offended change the channel. My posts are a monarchy and I’m the queen.
I enjoy a good debate. Several times I’ve been reprimanded online for that passion. You gotta be passionate about something otherwise why bother? If you have a good argument, let’s get it on. If you’re going to personally attack me, you’ll be hanged at the gallows.
Facts: I’m a single woman living in one of the most expensive economies in the country. I support myself in every way. There’s no boyfriend (looking though), no sugar daddy, no family, no trust fund. I pay for every paperclip.
I work my butt (bad word removed) off. If you have any doubt of that, read the comments my clients have posted – in their own words. I’ve worked 7 days straight for the past two weeks (now I’m up to 17 days) to provide my clients with the best real estate services they’ll ever find and myself a roof over my head. My goal is referrals, not the one time deal, slam them into a house and never see them again. Nobody’s going to refer me anything if I’m an idiot with no knowledge or opinion. I have to go out on the line. That’s one of the most valuable services I provide; an educated, knowledgeable and honest opinion with no meaningless rhetoric (bad word removed).
Recently I closed escrow with a great guy. He listened to what I had to say, appreciated and trusted my input. I gained that trust. I didn’t tell him I’m trustworthy, honest. I proved it. During the offer period, we had a conversation about the appliances. He had his own and did not need the ones provided for in the purchase. I suggested that he include them in the contract so that the elderly, ill seller did not have to deal with the inconvenience of having them removed. I further suggested that if he got the property at a good price, it would be worth his time to handle it. I didn’t leave him to deal with it. I found happy takers for the fridge, washer and dryer, and arranged the pickup.
A client I sold a house to six years ago called the other day. I’ve kept in contact with them with phone calls and congratulations on every family milestone. What’s important to them is important to me. I told them that I didn’t have the best of news. They were going to have to work hard to sell their house, price it precisely right, it was going to take time and they would have to exercise a great deal of patience. She said: That’s why I called. I knew you’d be honest with us.
That’s the point. I am honest. You may not want to hear what I have to say but I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t believe it with every fiber. Sure, I’ve been fired by buyers who didn’t hear what they wanted to. I wished them the best. I hope they found a beautiful house in a beautiful neighborhood and had a wonderful experience with their realtor.
Do you want fabrication (bad word removed) or do you want the truth?
As a lifelong resident and local Realtor, Vicki has established herself as a respected member of the San Mateo County real estate community. She’s known for her wit, sarcasm, and her personality that shows through in her posts. You can find her spouting off at Twitter, here at ag, and her personal blog, San Mateo Real Estate Blog.com.

Benn Rosales
October 24, 2007 at 10:07 pm
It’s so hard not to oversell to a seller and just be brutally honest backed up with solutions. I fear the crunch will be felt worse by those suckered into the so-called easy do it yourself way. It’s going to take a closer to close in this market, not a pretty avm or a sexy new website. Realtors like you Vicki are the value added- you are the product, god help those looking for a generic version that promises pie in the sky. Way to tell it like it is…
Lani Anglin
October 24, 2007 at 10:13 pm
Now THAT’S what I call a commission defense! I love how you’ve shown your worth and (as Benn put it) your value added.
Great article, Vicki- your community is lucky to have you (as is *duh* Agent Genius)!
ines
October 25, 2007 at 2:50 am
I did not see anything offensive in that post at all. Honesty is key Vicki and it may not get us the job right away, but it does in the long run.
Good for you and keep sticking to your guns.
Mariana
October 25, 2007 at 4:34 am
Here is a question that I have learned to ask…
“Do I have permission to tell you the truth?”
No one ever says “no” and then they are actually more apt to listen to what I have to say.
Vicki Moore
October 25, 2007 at 5:50 pm
I bet when you ask permission to tell the truth the client leans in. That’s powerful.