A real estate agent, there are a few things that you do not want to learn by mistake. Not that I have not made some of these mistakes myself. But if I did have big lungs, I would surely not have violated the first commandment.
Be honest
Sincerity is always appropriate. Except when a white lie is prudent. If someone who has her home planned with another agent calls to borrow your garage sale signs and asks, Oh, by the way, can you drop them at my home? it’s OK to lie.
Look like you care.
It gets you halfway there. I must have missed the memo about shorts. Once, an owner greeted my client and me at the door with “Which one of you is the Realtor?
Don’t look dumb
It’s natural to want to current your best face. But if you would quite be an attorney than a real estate appraiser, do not call yourself an appraiser at real estate, as one of my connections did. Just go be a lawyer. And for heaven sake, do not name your hydroplane speed boat Your 6 %. I think that was the same agent whose outgoing phone communication was, Hi, this is Susie. I am out making a killing in real estate. Go away your name and number and I will get back to ya.
Stop talking
When you are talking to a client on the phone, and when you are talking to a client face to face. Because, let’s admit it, they do not want to hear about us. They want us to listen to them. This is only fair they are paying.
Something to do with cars
Cars bore me to distraction. Before I became a Realtor, pit had fruit flies in it. But since real estate agents have to put other public in their cars, keep them tidy and look successful, I was forced to clean up my act. My first real estate car was a ford Accord. I learned that no matter how self-effacing an image you project, you cannot click with all. Like the fellow who said, It must be good to be able to afford a new Accord.
