Real Estate And Garbage

There’s That Clock Again

I know.  I know.  You’ve heard it a hundred-thousand times.  But it’s a fact - times are a changin’.  Change or join the ranks of those finding another job.  You have got to wake up and smell the coffee.   

I spent an hour and a half in an office meeting – well, not really an office meeting.  It’s supposed to be office training. – but I spent an hour and a half in a closed-door session hoping to get some ideas for today’s post.  Writer’s block, don’t ya know. 

Think garbage

What’s that got to do with real estate?  Well, did you hear about the one — okay.  Seriously.  Have you thought about how much the garbage industry has had to change?  Twenty years ago 100% of everything picked up went to landfill.  Today at least 50% is recycled.  In progressive places like San Francisco, it’s 70%.  They found a way to become the kings of green as opposed to what could have been the biggest PR disaster in history.  Their public spoke and they listened.

Back To The Meeting

So what’s the hot topic?  R.com of course.  With 73 comments and counting, do you doubt it?  We hit on Realtor.com itself – not happy with them.  The fact that the corporate sites pull listings from R.com – uh-oh.  That R.com’s hands are tied; if they differentiate the look of these listings they’ll get sued by the DOJ.  Buyers are out there searching.  They’re going to find these listings and they’re going to want to see them.  You say, “Duh.  And?”  Problem is there’s only public info there.  There’s no agent detail.  So what’s the story with that listing?  

Make It Count

Presentation, baby.  When you meet with a seller, what do you do?  A presentation.  When you meet with a buyer, watcha goin’ do?  A presentation.  You’ve got to be able to present that buyer with the reasons, the undeniable facts, as to why they should do business with you.  Not because you drive a nice car or you’re the top producer in your area, or because you care – awwwww - but because you’re going to represent them like no one else, including themselves or the listing agent, can do.  You’re a negotiator.  You’re a tiger.  You’ll rip that other agent to pieces and jump on and down on the remains - as long as they sign this little ol’ buyer-broker agreement.

“Oh, but I’m afraid.”  “I don’t want to upset them.”  “That’s a really long contract.”  People!  Are you freaking kidding me?  Get a spine.  I’ll tell you one thing:  I don’t want you negotiating for me. 

We get paid the big bucks for a reason.  That reason is to be the biggest, badest dawg in the yard -  to represent that client with every bit of knowledge and professionalism we can muster.  Sometimes it means pissing people off.  Sometimes it means holding hands skipping down the street.  You’ve got to be flexible.  Any shmoe can enter a listing in the MLS.  I want my client to know that I can kick some major ass and get them that house at the best possible price and terms – and I tell them.  And then I say, “Sign here.”

Your clients don’t start working at a new job without knowing how much they’re going to get paid.  They have an employment contract.  They get it.  It’s you that doesn’t.

(photo credit)