‘Tis the Season of Love
I don’t think we spend enough time talking about our relationships with other agents. And I don’t mean here, online, where we love EVERYBODY. I am talking about our competitors, those agents who work the same neighborhoods that we do, who are competing for the attention of the same buyers and sellers we are.
- More pleasant transactions when based on feelings of goodwill and trust
- Information: Other agents are experts in things just like you are-could come in handy!
- Referrals. Yes, your competition could send you business. It happens.
- I know there are others but I am on a deadline here 😉
We’re All Guilty Sometimes
The relationships we nurture with our cooperative competition is too often overlooked, I’m afraid. We tend watch each other, suspect the worst, gossip and complain a lot – especially now, when the market is slower, when people aren’t as busy writing contracts and showing homes and talking to prospects on the phone or face to face. Add a dash crankiness resulting from lower income levels and, voila, nitpickville!
I think it’s important, maybe now more than ever, to cultivate the feeling of goodwill throughout our industry, especially locally where our attitudes and relationships with each other are easily noticed by consumers. Negative attitudes toward each other can only breed or feed those bad stereotypes of ‘cut-throat real estate agents,’ which hurt us all. If we treat each other with respect, respect for our profession will grow.
So go ahead, give that agent the help he needs…with a smile. Say thank you. Make showing appointments gladly, efficiently and with respect for the showing agents’ time. Buy her a coffee. Make him a copy even if he could look it up himself.
Be an Angel and Go the Extra Step!
FMLS Realtor
December 9, 2008 at 10:03 am
Great post! I have run into many agents in the last year who seem more interested in slowing down and taking the time to have a conversation. Much of it unfortunately regarding the market woes. However I have made more friends with fellow agents this year than in any other.
Mark Storolis
December 9, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Yes, positive attitude and positive reinforcement goes miles further than negativity and cut-throat competitiveness. Some agents believe that their aggression is appealing, like the eye of the tiger. In the South, nothing could be further from the truth. Being a gentleman carries much more favor.
Barry Bevis
December 10, 2008 at 8:29 am
I just referred a listing to another agent in my market.
The owners are selling because of divorce and I was just too close to the situation to do the best job for them.
I called another agent who I respected and who had taken time with me…
It does pay to be nice.
Lisa Sanderson
December 10, 2008 at 11:08 am
FMLS REALTOR: I’ve seen the same thing. I don’t know if it is the changing market or the changing nature of the business in general, but I like it!
Mark: Aggression is not a business or marketing strategy, it’s a character trait at best and a personality disorder at worst.
Barry: I’ve referred business out of my office too (w/no fee paid to me!). There are those times when there is a conflict of interest involved and this is the best course for everyone.
dave88
December 16, 2008 at 12:05 pm
I experienced a similar problem. When I bought my iPhone, I first checked with “Got Reception?” (Gotreception.com) It’s a great resource for finding out where reception problems are most likely to occur BEFORE you lock yourself with a specific carrier.