Education Education Education...Did I say Education..It all ways trumps the rest...get when you can!

But Matt, Can we get your views on education? I am also a Trainer and it is fun to watch the light bulb light when agents get it!

Jim,

They faxed it first because they were so ashamed of the offer. Usually inexperience on the part of the agent is the main culprit here. I was there once long ago. I started selling in 1992.

Jim,

I've often heard the comment (s)

                        1.  Learners are Earners

                  2.  Rich people have large libraries, while poor people have large TV's

I have a decent size library, and a large flat screen TV...I guess this makes me Middle Class!  Now, back to my AR daily dose of education.

Jennifer, that is awesome. I am putting my TV up for sale on EBAY today!

I've also heard that the Rich are Cheap, and that they'll somehow get the books and the TV either for free or for a great bargain.  One of my Get-Rich-Books (written by a multi-millionaire, of course) advices against buying books when you can get them for free at the library.  So there.

I read comic books.  That should explain!

Jim,

I enjoyed your post.  I have had to work both sides of the deal too often because of rookies with no training or leadership.

Keep them coming. 

Thanks Roby! The solution is clear...Training. But you do run into issues when training is not available to some if they have not made a great company choice.

Jim, I do agree with what you are saying about the offer. However, where, in your opinion, do you draw the line between refusing to work with a  buyer because they want you to write a lowball and honoring your fiduciary duty to obey? I've worked with plenty of buyers who have come in with very low offers, yet still get the property. You never get anything in life if you don't ask for it.

Now, if one agent is doing all of the work in a transaction with two agents, I would whole-heartedly agree that inexperience or lack of education is to blame. However, I wouldn't make that assumption about an agent based upon an offer from their client.

Just my opinion.

I guess in this market we must realize that low offers are going to be presented. Buyers are watching the news and seeing the doom and gloom that is being portrayed so they think they can get something for practically nothing...well maybe not quite but they will try.  We as buyer agents must provide the info to our buyers and try to make reasonable offers.  As we know not all agents do this.  When representing our sellers I tell them to expect low offers because buyers are going to test the water.  We "will" counter no matter what the offer is (unless it's full price of course).  Sometimes our sellers just have to remain strong and not give in just because they think another offer may not come in.

Amy, I agree about making lowball offers. I will give my opinion to my customer but I am not a Realtor who adamantly refuses to write something up because I already know what the response will be. We have all seen offers accepted that we never thought would in a million years. Also, you don't have to end with "Just my opinion". All blogs are that and that's why we are here! :)

Joyce and Terry, I agree with some of that but it sounds like you may be working more with sellers than buyers. If a buyer is ridiculous, they are going to work their way out of the system and maybe even away from us as Realtors. I never want to get to a point where I push buyers or sellers away because they don't play in the sand box the way that I do.

Jim, Exactly. I always offer my opinion, which is usually that the seller will counter IF they respond at all--but we'll give it a shot. As long as I've prepared the buyer to expect either no response or one that seems to not be in their favor, I believe I'm providing fair and honest representation. I also believe clients appreciate that you are working for them, no matter how ridiculous the offer.