I had a mini meltdown today. Before you’re wondering if I am about to vent, I already did. I meditated in the afternoon, went to the gym, bought sushi & sake at the groceries, read some interesting links on twitter and now I am back to “normal”.
I normally like to enjoy my weekends relaxing at the beach and reading a good book. But yesterday all day, I spent it showing properties to my client that hired me to list their home. No homes really piqued their interest except a foreclosure that we couldn’t get into because the realtor didn’t answer and it wasn’t on the MLS (multiple listing service).
Since I know this foreclosure and REO business, I told my clients that this realtor probably wanted to take the whole commission for himself or only show it to his select agents. Of course this proved to be the case. I had warned them that it would be next to impossible to get this house. My client called the number after I suggested her to. By a stroke of amazing luck, the realtor is a current client of hers. He made it very clear to my client that he was not going to cooperate with me.
If I didn’t know this real estate business, I would have gotten upset with my clients. But then, they would have missed out on a fantastic deal in a neighborhood that suited them. My client called to explain this to me and I know he felt bad. I actually think he is a wonderful man, a loving husband, father and more so lately, a friend. So I told him to go for it. I knew it was the house for them. As for the realtor, well, that’s the way the ball bounces in this business. I’m used to it. It doesn’t mean I like it. Hopefully, soon, I can be making a living in something that doesn’t involve this craziness.
People think that real estate commissions are really high for the amount of work. After 25 years, I can say emphatically, it is very very hard work. A lot goes behind the scenes to make a deal happen. And many deals fall apart. I guess for the other realtor, he had control of the listing and knew that he could sell it to anyone else without me. My client says he is a really nice guy. I suppose in her eyes, he is. I will take her word for it. He was acting in his own best interest because he could. Everyone wants to buy a foreclosure. They sell like hotcakes.
As for me, I had to gulp, swallow it and genuinely be happy for my clients. It is not their fault. Yesterday, when we were driving around in separate cars, my client(the wife) noticed a bumper sticker on my car. It said, “It is all about luv”. It is a sticker made by my friend.(www.peaceloveworld.com).
She had said she wanted one. I went by to her house to give her one today. Ultimately, it truly is all about love. Yes it’s business. But if I genuinely wish them well and send them well wishes, won’t that be better than be resentful to a realtor that has no clue about who I am. I prefer to stay friends with my clients because I believe what I originally said in the other post: Love abounds in their family and home. Somehow it will come back to me. I am not worried. Sure, the extra ten grand would have been good for me. But I let it go. Tomorrow is another day. I know I will be selling their house soon. Gratefulness leads you to better doors anyways.
(After I finished this post, I stumbled on Robin Sharma’s website. I was curious to look at it after a tweet he wrote this morning about collaberating on a team) I had his page open all day so I would remember to read it. The message is self explanatory. I’m glad I kept this “page” open. The chapter will end nicely.
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