The beginning of a relationship is always exciting. Deciding what to reveal and what to hold back. Becoming less reserved as we figure out that our personalities align. Sharing hopes and dreams knowing we can achieve them together. And finally, forming a union to do just that.
Unfortunately, not all unions are perfect. Despite our best intentions, one side or the other ends up feeling neglected, let-down or, even worse, deceived. Sometimes these feelings are valid. Sometimes they are the result of misperception. Either way, the problem must be solved quickly. If avoided, it will fester and grow. Taking on a life of its own and breeding contempt, disgust, or possibly hate.
To let you down is my worst fear. If I do, I hope you give me the chance to fix it before it's too late. But, sometimes relationships just don't work out. When this happens, be honest. Come to me and let me know you want out.
You are not trapped. While it may be painful, I'll sign the papers. After all, it's not like we were married, it's just a listing agreement.
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Erik Hitzelberger is a licensed REALTOR with RE/MAX Alliancein Louisville. If you need a Louisville Real Estate agent please email me or call 502.921.3989.
I specialize in the following areas of the Metro Louisville Area: Prospect, Middletown, Jeffersontown (J-Town), Fern Creek, Okolona, Shepherdsville, Mt Washington, Hillview, Brooks and Pewee Valley. Click the following links to learn more about Louisville and Bullitt County Real Estateor to Search for Louisville Homes
or....a real divorce. That's where I am. lol, or boohoo. Deb
Not all personalities mesh...sometimes you wonder why. Sometimes there is no good reason...just move on and don't dwell on it...really, would it be worth the stress? Probably not.
No kidding, some unions were meant to be disolved. There are so many positive things you could be working on. That is a difficult concept when you are new to the business and very eager to carry your weight in the office and make a living. One of the nicest things about my "senior" status is being able to walk away from a difficult client and realize life is too short.
Deb - Yikes! I am sorry to hear that. Although, I am glad to see you can laugh about it.
Karen - I haven't had this problem although it seems unavoidable at some point. However, I do think readers should know they have options if they are unhappy with my services as a REALTOR.
Great post Erik! From the standpoint of a seller in this market, it's so important for listing agents to give their sellers a good impression through-out the life of the listing. Too many Realtors invest so much time, effort and money into the beginning...when all of that energy should be spread out over the life of the listing. Sellers generally don't tell you they are unhappy, they are talking to their friends, their neighbors, anyone who is listening, and before you've even had a chance to learn there is an issue, you're fired! Expectations should be defined and outlined at the beginning, listing and marketing activities should be documented and shared with the seller on a regular basis. Listing has always been key in this business, and if you learn how to keep sellers happy with an automatic system in place, you can become the listing expert in your market!
Deb - sorry to hear it but take heart, you are not alone. Not to turn this into a chic blog, but that book 'Faith in the Valley' by Iyanla Vanzant would be a really good read for you right now :)
Sage retailing advice:
Be thankful for those customers who complain to you about some aspect of your service or other aspect of your business. They are giving you a chance to improve.
Be thankful they are not among those who care so little about what you are doing that they just take their business elsewhere without comment, giving you no such opportunity.
Personally, as my Daddy always used to say re real divorce:
We don't believe in divorce, we believe in a fight to the finish.
(That was an inside joke of course. We all knew he really believed in simply saying "Yes, Dear" -- or leaving for the barn.)
Erik: As in all relationships communication is key. If you don't communicate the mind can play tricks on us all. I'm with Jim above. Conflict is opportunity incarnate.
Sandra - Your advice is sage. Ending a bad client relationship is probably the least painful choice.
Markelle - You describe the process perfectly. Setting the terms of the relationship is key. If an agent says she will call everyday to update the status, she has to do it. But if she can make her client understand that she only calls when their are real updates, then she doesn't have to call every day. The communication level should be worked out early to the satisfaction of both sides. BTW - I've never had anyone try to convert my blog to a Chick Blog before.
Jim - Your Daddy was a very wise man. Everyone needs a barn.
Matt - You are correct. Poor or missing communication never benefits a relationship.
Nice analogy and a good mindset. What an interesting relationship we perceive to have when we list a property.
Its like a Divorce. Even if its for the better, people dont like to do it. Nice comparison.
p.s. Its also good to see you blogging more often my friend (unless that means things have slowed down... and in that case GET TO WORK!)
He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day -sometimes it's just better to cut your losses!
Lol John. If you only knew. I am trying to get back into blogging again. Giving up sleep completely freed up the extra time.
Lisa - When you are in the ring with Kimbo Slice, tapping out quickly is definitely the best solution.
Erik - Thats what you have to do... you will see that I post and comment around 1:00 or so in the morning. Then I am back on twitter and ready to go by 7 am. Sleep is whats slowing you down my friend. A person only really needs a few 20 minute power naps throughout the day.
Erik, I agree with you-I never want a client to feel "trapped" when working with me. I can not think of any worse publicity than a seller telling everyone they know that they could not wait to get rid of me.
John - I have roughly the same schedule. Slee is so overrated.
Christine - You hit the nail on the head. If you are going to lose a client, do it graciously and learn from your mistakes. You could easily lose much more by trying to fight them.
Erik - That is awesome! Of course, at the beginning, maybe you shouldn't have dated at all, there must have been signs... you chose to ignore :)
Great point, Wendy!
Deb, good luck to you!
Erik, great post and great image! :-)
When I list, I provide the Seller of a list of all that I will do for them, INCLUDING how often I will contact/update them and by what means. But, I let them know up front that if I ever fail to do what I promised to do OR if they are unhappy with my services/results for any reason, I will release them from the listing agreement at their request.
And frankly, I tell them that if their home hasn't sold in the time I predicted, I'll probably be as ready to end our relationship as they will.
Of course, I'm on the third (and final) marriage, so I've cut the knot before.
Great post...we have all had teachers/bosses/neighbors that for whatever reason we just don't mesh well with. I always tell my client that they are free to dissolve our relationship at anytime. I have never had someone do that, but I truly believe this is a relationship that must be built on trust. If they stop trusting me--or if they prove uncooperative in marketing efforts--we should all be grownup enough to discuss it and move on.
Erik - sometimes people are not meant to be working together, and to move on can be liberating!
I've use these very same words once maybe twice - sometimes it boils down to un communicated expectations, on both ends.