My reputation is my number one priority of my business model. The first impression of who I am and what I stand for will long be remembered by all I cross paths with. The lasting impression comes from remembering where I came from when working alongside other Real Estate Industry professionals as a team through each and every transaction.
After my phone conversation with another agent last night ended, I was left with such a glow that showed from the inside showing out. My husband asked what that was all about because I was smiling ear to ear. I told him about my conversation with the agent and how he told me that “It is refreshing to work with you Sally.” Wow!
I was flattered!
He chatted more about how he was a ‘newer’ agent and sometimes he is talked down to by agents who have been in real estate longer. I’ve heard this many times before.
He thanked me for renewing his outlook. Now THAT was a stunning compliment as there are agents that have been in the business for MANY years who don’t know how to write a contract and then there are REALLY GOOD agents who have been in the business for just a couple of years who jump on every opportunity to learn.
This is what it means to contribute for a better industry!
Now this agent has shown nothing but the best detailed responses and I admired him for being up front and honest about his not being knowledgeable about short sales. I reassured him that I would help him along as it’s so much easier to work together than against. He agreed wholeheartedly! We both agreed that we would try and work through any details to make this transaction work.
Remember That We ALL Started Somewhere in Real Estate and Working Together as a Team are good business practices and it will create a “fresh and comfortable atmosphere” for a smooth and successful transaction for all. Who wouldn’t want it any other way?
We all started somewhere in this business.
Remembering this keeps me in check….
Because I will create a POSITIVE impression….
For a lasting good reputation.
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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.
Thats great Sally! You are absolutely right and that a good reminder!
You are a shining example for all of us. Thank you for sharing this story, and thank you for renewing this agent's outlook.
It's great that he shared this with you, too. Congratulations on being such an inspiration--to all.
What a great compliment! Seems like he was honest and upfront with you from the beginning of the transaction. He's learned from you and now he's going to have an even better foundation for his future career.
I agree 100%. This job can be tough enough and so we all need to get along and help each other out. I always offer to help new agents. I definitely remember what it was like and how hard it is to get everything done at first. I am sure he is very grateful to be working with you! Great job!
It warms one soul, when one gets a sincere compliment. Enjoy.
What a nice compliment, Sally. But I am not surprised. :)
I think we all need to keep in mind our reputations, especially in this market where our profession is not always highly regarded. It's pretty easy to get a bad rep when you don't act professionally and treat others with respect and courtesy. Sometimes it's not easy when you are not treated similarly.
Jeff
Woo Hoo, Sally I would never expect anything less than that agent's reaction to working with you. Well done and yes, this is what's makes our entire industry better. One agent at a time.
You go Sally-it is th highest form of a compliment to get it from one's peers. I so understand that character and track record are the most important things we have.
Sally Jo, what's great is that he was comfortable enough with you to let you know up front that he would be relying on you to help him through the transaction- win win for both sides!
That is a great compliment Sally! I have been in the business for 10 years and it is "still" quite refreshing to work with an agent such as yourself. Kudos!
Hi Sally,
Congratulations on receiving such a wonderful compliment. Too often I hear the opposite of your compliment. Very refreshing.
Best of SUCCESS to you!
Sally - good for you and I'm sure you did renew this new agent's faith in the real estate world. Sometimes it just take a few kind words from a kind person such as yourself! Keep being exactly who you are!
Sally,
The guy has good taste and uncommonly good sense.
Bill
Great post, Sally! I wish more newer agents would admit they were newer instead of pretending they know it all and hindering a situation.
Salley: And I am sure he will really appreciate you helping him make this short sale happen. That's how we should all work together.
You can't state that positively enough... reputation is everything in this business. It's the difference between success or failure in the long run.
Gretchen
It's always best to work as a team because in the end your never know for sure if you'll see that same agent again on the other side of the closing table. Great post...
Sally I wish we could get more agents concerned about their integrity and reputation. So many agents sell out their reputation for almost nothing.
You are right on track with this post. I am of the very same philosophy... and I wish more agents operated in this manner. It would make all of us look more professional.
Sally, I remember well my first transaction almost 4 years ago. I was SO thankful to be working with a kind agent! Good for you in helping this newcomer navigate the waters. I know he considers you a huge blessing!
Right Sally. And being honest & courteous costs you nothing, and I'd think, has an intrinsic reward as well as puts you in a better position than your competition. I don't quite see the downside, and yet, yes, we know there are some who do prefer the option to make others feel less than.
Keep on doing what you do.
Hi Sally,
Congratulations!
Working together as a team is definitely the way to go!
Keep up the good work!
Sally, it is so much easier when anyone admits that they lack some knowledge in an area instead of trying to fake it..
Judi: It sure is easier and makes the transaction just that much more pleasant!
Wandanna....Working together as a team can only make everything go much smoother.
Claude....Not a penny does it cost. But the rewards within are worth all that is rich in life and self.
Sonja: Oh...the times I remember when i first started as well. It's been a grand continuous learning lesson that I love to pass on. It makes our industry that much more professional.
Loreena: Yes indeed! And hearing this agent receive a brighter outlook in his career is worth more than the compliment!
Bill...you get a big hug for that comment :) :) {{{{{{{{HUG}}}}}}}}}}
Jeff and William: It's a huge step in the right direction to enhance the true meaning and worth of the service we provide. It definitely makes it worthwhille to have a transaction go smoothly when all parties are pleasant.
Many props to you for that. I agree too many times us "seasoned" veterans sometimes forgoet our own past and run over someone who truly is there learning and trying to survive themselves.
You deserve that ear to ear grin as that is a great story and I hope more "seasoned" vets read it and take it to heart. We all started out as newbies and we all needed a little grace... and most of us still do!
Hi Sally,
when a sincere and so kind compliment is offered, it does make ones day, but from what we know about you here in the Rain, we are not surprised.
Sally like you said "We all started somewhere. Nobody came out of their Mother's Womb a Short sale Expert,Foreclosure Expert or Land Sale Specialist. That's the problem with this business. Many real estate professionals especially old pros look down on newbies. Now you know why so many of them are leaving when the ones that should be helping them are giving them cold shoulders. Great to see that they are still some great real estate professionals like yourself trying to mentor newbies coming into this business. Thanks Sally.
You shouldn't be surprised that that agent was surprised, Sally. There is a lot of talking down that goes on even to people like me that know as much, or probably more than they do and are certainly a lot more pleasant. This will give your colleague some renewed faith in the humanity of agents. There are some great ones out there, and you are certainly one of them.
What an example you set, Sally! Your attitude and business practices will go a long way in continuing your good reputation!
Obviously you touched many with this post. Modeling good behavior and the Golden Rule is important.
It all boils down to if you need to tear someone else down to feel better about yourself then how great of a person are you in the first place!! Happy Labor Day!
Sally, Congratulations on the well deserved featured post. Thanks for the reminder. Have a good labor day.
Sally: When a colleague recognizes your professionalism and integrity it's the absolute best. Congrats on the feature and continued success.
Sally - Anne hit the nail on the head, coming from a colleague it is indeed one of the best compliments!
Sally, its always nice to get recognized by your peers. I'm sure this agent is going to learn a lot from you.
Sweet. You must have had a nice warm fuzzy after speaking witht that agent. I have often said that a good reputation is the "easy button."
It is wonderful when your reputation precedes you. I recently had a homeowner call me to list their property and as we were about to hang up she said, "Marie do you know why I have called you to list our house". I said that I didn't.
She said, "In the twenty-three years we have lived in Pinecrest, you are the only top agent we have never heard anything bad about".
I will carry that in my heart always, and I will always strive to live up to that statement.
Sally, Great reminder. Everytime we work with other people , they will remember us for how we conducted ourselves during the course of business.
A great compliment and well deserved. And all it takes is "treat others as you would have them treat you." Why is that so hard for some people? Congrats!
I'm with you Sandy..treat other people the way you would like them to treat you..works every time. There is NOTHING more gratifying than having another Agent (well, a client of course!) tell you what a pleasure it is to work with you..Good luck!
Sally, what a testament to your great business practices mission statement! We see so many people in this business that act like the real estate kingdom revolves around them. You have a great gift to share with others. Thank you!
Hey thanks for posting this blog today and for sharing. I enjoyed the read.
Patricia Aulson/ REALTOR/ NH & ME Seacoast
I'm having a ball working with this agent. He has got to be one of the newer agents that will be good at what he does....with the understanding of remembering this time and paying it forward too!
Always a pleasure to read your posts, Sally. As usual, this one inspires!
Sally -- good for you! That was a great compliment. Not all agents would help this guy out or help him along. Your posts are inspiring
Sally - Our reputation is so important. And, I think it's important as an industry that we work together rather than at odds. Of course, we need to do the best for our clients. However, to do our best, we also need to close transactions, usually with another agent.
Sally, how fortunate he was to be working with an agent such as yourself.
This is a cute story. Its important to treat everyone with respect. Its a shame that others did not treat him that way. Im guessing that other agents would be disrespectful because they feel threatened maybe?