In New Jersey, a nasty anonymous letter from a Realtor has gone viral, which according to NBC10 states, “I’m trying to sell million dollar homes in the neighborhood. I drive my clients around and they see your car parked sideways on the front lawn! You have a driveway – use it!”
This anonymous source seems to have forgotten their “Professional Standards and Codes of Conduct” classes. This passive aggressive approach to dealing with someone is typically uncalled for, even in a frustrating situation like this.
The couple who parked their car sideways are both in their 70s and park there so they can get their groceries to the door easier, as the husband has a bad leg. Trashy as it may be, a response should have come through the appropriate channel – the homeowner’s association.
A more appropriate approach
While many neighborhoods have home owner’s associations to guide situations like these, many do not. Perhaps, a more appropriate approach would have been to go speak to the couple in person, bring them some cookies, and politely inquire about the car, and maybe even offer to move the car for them before any Open House.
The agent missed an opportunity to foster a relationship, rather assumed that their needs were more important than the homeowners who are entitled to do as they please on their own property (homeowner’s association notwithstanding). The couple says they plan to continue parking their car as they have done for some time now.
Letter goes viral on social media. Oops.
The couple’s grandchildren took to Facebook and posted the letter; it has since been shared more than 700 times. This is another aspect the Realtor should have thought of: bad publicity.
We have all done things in anger that we later regret, but sometimes one must to take a minute and really think about what they are doing, especially if they are supposed to be a “professional,” otherwise they may end up damaging more than a “million dollar sale;” they will be damaging their reputation.
