Consumers Can See Right Through You

Good morning Wanda,

You are so right transparency matters, but too much information is inappropriate. Professionalism counts. Trust is big and consumers really can see right through you. 

Very true...in this business it's hard to be truthful and trusting with your client's best interest at heart if you are in fact a liar and a cheat. It will come to light very quickly. 

Well deserved featured post Wanda!  I so appreciate this post. It's easy to see those that aren't being authentic and just looking for a sale.  I've told people not to sell and advised them to switch loan products in order to stay in their homes.  

A LOT of my clients are friends and we regularly see each other after the sale is closed.  I'm very fortunate to have these people in my life and I appreciate them so much!  

absolutely.  Be honest and forthright always..

All very true and good points … I have known many professionals that failed to recognize this!!

Trust between client and buyer/seller is VERY important.  Agents have to also feel they can trust their clients, which isn't always the case!

There is certainly a correct level of transparency that works well!

Thanks for the bit of humor Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! 

If you get referrals and a lot of repeat business you are probably doing something right

Trust is paramount in this business. It's why my firm calls all of our agents Advisors- as transparency is a vital component to the value that we add. Trust takes a long time to build but can be wrecked in seconds. 

One situation that sticks out sort of reminds me of a Soprano's type of situation. I was taking a buyer to view a condo building that I really like, and I have sold in before. The buyers really liked the apartment and the building and were considering an offer. Then came the issue of transparency- and grey areas. Several weeks prior to the showing, in the middle of the night someone had walked down the street with a (stolen) Home Depot shopping cart and selected the trash area of the Starbucks that is located on the ground floor of this condo building- to dump a body wrapped in a rug. Apparently a jogger was out early discovered a limb protruding from the rug and hours later it was in the news. Now, as far as disclosure and transparency was concerned- this happened outside of the building- not inside...so I wasn't obligated to tell the client. I decided full transparency was the best path forward- and I told them. The clients knew the area as the husband taught at the college located about a 10 minute walk- so they blew it off as the outlier situation that it genuinely was and ultimately bought the apartment. I don't know if my disclosure was of value to them or not as they had other things going on in their life that was more important (health issues)...but I surely felt better that nothing was being hidden.  

Hi Wanda,

I completely agree with your post.  This is the way we need to run our business.  I might add that when working with a buyer or seller, I immerse myself in the transaction as if it were my property.  It helps me to see things through my clients's eyes.

Dear Wanda,

Trying to fool people is pointless, especially in the age of the internet. Pretty much anything can be researched, so sometimes it is better to say you do not know and share exact details about something, when you had a chance to check again. 

Loved your post Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! and congratulations on the Featured Post -- well deserved.

Transparency comes in many forms.  I am transparent with everyone I know, and depending on things they say or do will determine how transparent I become. That works for me and most of my clients end up becoming friends and I become their Realtor for Life!

I agree, Wanda, with this great post. Transparency is an important matter between the client and the buyer or seller in this profession. It is certainly the correct level that works well!

Are you saying I should take down my Speedo photo shoot pictures at the beach? That means I will need to buy a professional head shot lol. Just kidding I only share those with my friends. Kidding again it's too cold to be seen in a speedo in Evergreen, Colorado. Great post!