So, you have your Real Estate License and you're thinking about making a go of selling real estate. You already have the mindset that you will make every effort to be the best you can be in this business. One thing is for certain: If you don't have good morals, beliefs and values in your life every day then all the rules, laws, regulations, code of ethics will not come even close to being something you will follow or adhere to.
There are no cutting corners in real estate when:
You are explaining a contract to your clients or answering any questions they may have. If you do not know the information or an answer to a question....ASK!- You missed an initial and need your client to sign their initial, signature or date. Make the effort to scan and email, fax, drive to meet them and DO NOT...I REPEAT...DO NOT sign, date anything for them.
- You need to document all calls, emails and correspondence. Not only will it protect you and your client but it will also give you an easy way to refer back to a conversation when there is doubt.
- You need to keep updated with the latest information. Do what is beneficial to your business and keep your mind, files, websites and blogs updated with current information. There is nothing worse than giving out OLD information.
- Staying up to date with real estate technology. There are many websites, blogs, social sites and more that are beneficial to marketing online. Keep up to date with what works for you. For me it's beneficial to have a top of the line home office as I spend most of my time .... At my home office hehe.
- Being available for all that are involved in the transaction. There is no such thing as only texting, or only emailing or only phone calls. All avenues for communicating have to be covered to serve all clients who prefer a certain way to communicate.
So, if you already have the mindset that you will make every effort to be the best you can be in this business, then GOOD FOR YOU! You most likely are following the right path.
If you are cutting corners and you have to constantly look over your shoulder...
Then maybe it's time to make that positive change....for your business.
Better yet, for a personal change for a better life.
And all success will follow.
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
All rights reserved.
It is all too simple and some make it complex. I like it do not cut corners.
Fantastic post. Lot's of very true information.
Sally, great post and tips for not cutting corners in your business. If you don't cut corners....success will follow...suggested!
Tim: No kidding! It takes too much effort to worry later for what can be dealt with now..the right way. No cutting corners here!
Jason: We watch...we observe.
Rebecca: Oh, thanks much! We can't repeat the positive tips for a successful business enough!
Great post, and like my Mother says: "Don't do anything wrong, and you won't have to worry about anything"
I see so many agents turn in offers with missing paperwork, unsigned or uncorrectly signed documents, and other errors. It's a wonder their E&O provider let's them stay in business.
In short: you've got to be all over it?
Great post - it's all about doing your job properly - the first time. Saves time, energy and headaches.
There should not be any short cuts..just like there is no crying in baseball.
Good rules for anyone in the RE biz to follow.
Sally, all great information. Cutting corners can cost you your license, point blank!
Sally, Thank you for the great advice. I have hit suggest because it should be read by more agents.
Great advice. If you are doing everything you are expected to do, then success will follow.
Sally,
Most of the ethics are really just sound morals to conduct business and life by. They promote business longevity and reputation.
Happy Easter!
Steve
Hi Sally, I just hit suggest too! Anyone can make a mistake or an error, but there is no reason to "Cut Corners" with any real estate transaction. It can be costly to the agent.
Sally, taking short cuts, where other people are potentially at risk can led to a loss of license and also a time in court when the law suits follow. In this business, we are required to be thorough, read everything carefully, and make sure the clients sign and initial everything themselves. It will lead to a very long and profitable career.
Taking the short cut looks like the easy way to get something done, but often it becomes way more of a problem in the end to just do it right the first time.
Sally,
We all know those who cut corners, make sloppy errors or just aren't as dedicated as they need to be. Generally they don't last long but they make for tough transactions in the interim!
Sally ~ Absolutely right, there should never be a reason to cut corners with anything that involves a real estate transaction ~ Great post, great feature, great reblog!!
Sally, your point is right on track and refreshingly candid. That ethos has migrated to most client-based professions over the years as well - glad of it! Thank you for your incisive review.
Bullet point #2 re missing an initial or signature makes digital ink type software so important because it makes things like this omission easier.
Thanks for the information. So true. It's like you were writing with me in mind.
Greg J. Gardner
Sally with everything that has been going on in this industry, this is the wrong business to cut corners on ...... unless you want Bubba for a room mate :)
Sally...you would think that all agents have this mindset but sadly this is not the case. Good reminder & wake up call.
Great to see this on the front page. Take note you agents out there, being successful today includes all the above and a lot more. If you are not going to take your business seriously then why should your clients.
With such a fast pace these days, it is all too easy for so many to cut corners - only to find that the cut corner comes back to haunt them.
Great Guidelines Sally !
Sally so true to not cut corners. But as you stated in the beginning if they do not have those morals and ethics now then it will be doubtful they will keep their license long.
Good stuff, some of these issues ahve cost peoples there lic
Great reminder for me as I start over in a new market. First thing on my agenda, education....learning my new market.
I am really into technology, but the golden rule is still the foundation of my business.
thanks
Sally - Taking too many "shortcuts" may interfere with getting a good night's sleep. Do it right the first time and move forward. Looking over our shoulder to see what might be catching up is too time consuming and creates way too much stress for me.
I think most agree that doing everything as detailed as you can, while having good values in every day life...transfers to our business. It's like selling homes...you either are good at it or not.
Mr. Lockleer: Thank you for stopping by with your busy busy schedule. That's what has always made ActiveRain unique...the staff that is involved.
Thank you for your post, you are right - it's all about ethics and we have a fiduciary right to be 100% ethical. . . not 98%
Hi Sally - You have picked out some of the very most important things to keep in mind. We want to protect our clients from any issues, and at the same time we want to protect ourselves!
Very important to always make sure your clients understand everything they are signing, and very important to document everything! If you have a phone conversation, follow up with an email confirming the conversation. Later, if questions arise, no one has to rely on memories - refer to the emails. Very good post!
Being available does not mean available 24x7 - and yes, as far as technology is concerned, I'd say any one who is on AR - blogging and reading blogs will not be left behind - no cutting corners there.
Sally, there are no shortcuts to good service. You can never be in a hurry when writing a contract or explaining any detail of the transaction.
Sharon
This is an excellent list of things to document and nail down. I have a preference for email because there is always a "paperless trail."
Sally:
Andrea said it best. Cut corners, lose your license. Your list should be tattooed on new agents foreheads, so they remember. Thanks for sharing.
This is important, especially for newbies, who may think that cutting a corner here or there is no big deal. When in fact it could end being a very big deal! Very important to keep up with real estate laws and changes.
Excellent list! I couldn't agree more; not only with real estate but with every area of life! Cutting corners equals trouble!
Great list Sallie! Many agents think nobody will know if they just cut a corner here or there ... but it shows.
When we all do this its a smoother transaction and a lot more fun to do business with each other.
Great post. Always follow up!
HI Sally,
You mean there are Realtors, that cut corners, say it isn't so, I though there was no such thing as Realtors that would ever do anything "unethical" or inappropriate........WOW....;0)
Nice post, absolutely no room for cutting corners in real estate, it will come back to bite you.
Great list! My daughter is just getting into real estate and I had her read this. Thank you!
Ruthmarie: Now that is what I believe.... No matter if a phone conversation or text...I follow up with an email.
Pamela...it's actually for everyone ...even older agents...who believe that cutting a corner here and there will not hurt them in the long run.
Sally, this is the BEST ADVICE ANY OF US COULD ADHERE TO! Love the post. Excellent. You always make me smile. Deb
Thanks for the post today. I enjoyed the read and have bookmarked it for future reference.
Patricia/Seacoast NH & ME