Ann Arbor Undressed : Reputation Matters

One's reputation can either make you or break you in this business, so it is good to establish the right type of reputaion and keep it.

Short and sweet, but you've said it all.

I have had agents say that to me and I also have made that comment to other agents! It is so true that you reputation can come back to bite you....whether it's a playful nibble or a full blown OUCH!

Very true!  And many agents think that networking with other agents is a waste of time, but it will pay dividends one day when you need the upper hand in a multiple offer situation, for example.

Missy,

"5) Negotiate fairly but not be hard to deal with"

Fairly and pleasantly yes! "Hard to deal with" we'd have to discuss. I represent my fiduciary the other agent and I have similar goals, but we do represent opposing sides. There is nothing wrong with a hard position, depending on the subject.

There is never an excuse for being unpleasant!

I'd like to suggest a # 6. Above all else be honest!

Bill

Bill, semantics...easy to negotiate with..not a bully...not calling your client but making decisions for them...rude...arrogant...shall I go on?

Bill, semantics...easy to negotiate with..not a bully...not calling your client but making decisions for them...rude...arrogant...shall I go on?

Missy,

Realtors work in a very small, closed community. Not many secrets in our profession. You're right, in the long run, your reputation does matter.

Rich

Great direct to the point post Missy!  Love #5 - but it's usually the agents that can't negotiate that bully. AND that reputation, unfortunate for them, does get around...   Took me a while to learn that... 

I agree that it matters in all aspects of real estate.  It amazes me that some agents with such poor reputations within the real estate community and with the public succeed.  Who hires these people?  

Hi Missy. I haven't heard that yet from another agent but am looking forward to when I do!

Reputation does matter!

Thanks for writing,

Ken

I have had that said to me - and I consider it a compliment!  Just another unknown service that we provide to our clients.

I always make it very clear to a Realtor on the other side that we both have to protect our client's interests and that I am not your adversary and that we are working toward the same goal.

Absolutely...and if you have a bad one, that's the hardest to overcome.

Missy - This is very true, a few months ago my client was in a multiple offer situation and the seller flat out told me they went with our offer because their agent spoke highly of me. 

Missy, i've always believed that a great reputation will get you ahead in your profession BUT i have dealt with so many top producing agents who are rude, demanding, and it goes on and yet they still do great in the business...maybe it's my part of the world?!  i still believe in karma

Missy-so true, so true.  My mother taught me that early on, your reputation does matter and it can help you or hurt you, especially working with other Realtors.  I know when I have been upset or frustrated with another agent, she reminds me that I need to not be ugly because you never know when I will have to deal with them in the future.  I may need an offer accepted for a buyer on a future listing of theirs or even need their offer for my seller, so remember that and problem solve the issues you may have rationally and fairly and foster those relationships, even when you don't want to :)  

I do find value in being involved in various social gatherings with other Realtors, because those relationships can help your clients.  We all like to work with people we know and trust, that's why our clients chose us, and it helps when it works that way agent to agent as well.  Whatever can give my client an advantage, I'm willing to do (as long as it's legal and ethical).  

AND...  No transactions are worth the reputation of an agent!  :)

Missy--this is so true! # 5 is my favorite and we need to be fair and reasonable.  Realtors work in a very small world, so your reputation is extremely important to be successful.

Missy

You are right on target; reputation matters and makes a difference on how our success journey will turn out.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Lack of communication is the one thing clients complain about all the time. My reputation will be built upon my communication skills. =)

Amen to all of those. I haven't had another agent say that to me, but I have had brokers try to recruit me on the basis of what their agents told them...it's good to be wanted.

I totally agree.  I cringe sometimes when I see some agents' names on a listing.

Reputation is so important! And it is true, there are agents out there that other agents just cringe when they have to deal with them.  I would just hope they don't do a dis-service to their buyers by not showing specific properties because of who has it listed. And we all know, this happens.

Oh, I SO believe in this, Missy!  I honestly don't know what I would be doing right now if I had burned some bridges that I could have SO easliy burned back in the day!  Many agents who were tough negotiators-turned IMPOSSIBLE to deal with are not faring well right now.  Funny but, the consumer knows about them too--and I firmly believe that their reputation has been damaged irrepairably at this point--especially in this market.  Great points!

YES!  People always ask WHY I socialize and attend networking events with other Realtors and how that can help my biz.  Well this post sums it up nicely!

This is absolutely RIGHT-ON! :O)  If I sell one of your listings, I want the transaction to be so positive that you can't wait to sell one of mine so we can do it over again! We are not enemies.

Missy, this is so true, there are some agents, I do not even want to talk to not alone negotiate with them, because of previous bad experience.