I wish I had or I am glad I did

In life, are you a I wish I had or I am glad I did person? how about in business?

In my industry, Real Estate, the relationships we build are at the core of what we do. It's not merely about transactions; it's about understanding our clients dreams, fears, and aspirations. Our commitment is to guide them toward decisions that resonate with their long-term goals and genuine happiness.

At times, this journey involves walking a delicate line – a balance between being their unwavering advocate and, occasionally, delivering insights that may challenge their initial thoughts, the tough love conversations as our parents used to say.

Real estate is often very emotional. Whether it's the attachment to a home or the pressure of a competitive market, I recognize that these emotions can shape my client’s choices to sometimes not being the right ones. My role is not to dismiss these feelings but to help my clients navigate them, ensuring that every decision aligns with their overall satisfaction and long-term happiness.

Navigating the real estate landscape can be challenging for some Realtors, often leading to post-closing reflections filled with sentiments of "I wish I had done things differently."

Some clients may adopt inflated egos, harbor unrealistic expectations, and adopt a relentless desire to secure victory at any price. They may become fixated on having things their way, they adopt a defensive attitude neglecting the fundamental principle of negotiations – treating others as they would like to be treated. Successful negotiations thrive on a collaborative and mutually beneficial process, where both parties reach an agreement that satisfies their respective interests.

As previously mentioned, our dedication as Realtors is centered on achieving genuine happiness and satisfaction for our clients. However, many Realtors shy away from expressing disagreements, fearing potential dissatisfaction. This avoidance spans from pricing the listing and preparing/staging the home to navigating contract negotiations during the transaction.

If you've ever been confronted with phrases like:

"We are not happy; we feel you don't have our backs, you're not advocating on our behalf, and we think you're not doing a good job representing us,"

all stemming from conveying information that the clients weren't receptive to but was undeniably in their best interest.

I understand the pain; I've experienced it myself more times than I would prefer. It's disheartening to be told you don't care when, in reality, your actions demonstrate the opposite. You care so deeply that you're willing to tell someone they're wrong to prevent them from making a mistake.

In my 18 years of practicing real estate, I've received only one negative online review. It stemmed from a client who was resistant to accepting my advice. The property in question was adjacent to a golf course with an ocean view on the other side. After we photographed and listed the property, the client insisted on changing the main profile photo to one highlighting the distant ocean. She wanted me to zoom in, creating the impression of an oceanfront property.

I explained the potential misrepresentation and the disappointment it could cause to prospective buyers visiting the property. Despite my efforts to uphold ethical marketing practices, she demanded the change. I held firm, emphasizing the trust she had placed in my marketing strategy and expertise.

The home sold swiftly, above its asking price, in a seamless transaction. However, she gave me a one-star review and posted negative comments online because I didn't comply with her request. This experience underscores the challenges faced in real estate when balancing client desires with professional integrity.

Still to this day I can say I am glad I did. Maybe one day she will realize how in doing so I truly helped her maybe she won’t, but I know I did not compromise and did the right thing for her.

I have found that in life and in business you can’t win them all and telling people only want they want to hear is living a life of many I wish I had moments

Who wants to have friends that are afraid to tell you the truth.

Who wants to be in business with someone that will only tell you what you want to hear so you like them.

I prefer to be in the company of individuals who embody the "I am glad I did" mindset. Though it might be uncomfortable at times, these are the people who genuinely support you and have your best interests at heart.

With Love,

S~