Are you loyal?

A recurring nightmare for Realtors goes something like this: for six months they've racked their brains, redone market evaluations to check pricing, advertised relentlessly on line, done open houses, taken tour though, used the local press in efforts to sell your home and still have not had an acceptable offer on your home. It happens, often without good reason. The listing expires and the owners decide to "take a little break." Meanwhile, Realtors combing "expireds" for listings initiate contact and promise the moon. "We take your listing to Alberta (so does every Realtor who uses the internet!), we advertise 24/7 until you're sold (so does every Realtor using mls), we only charge 3% (all commissions are negotiable down and UP at the time of sale -- bet they didn't tell you that), we sell more (they don't tell you they're comparing a team of 6 to one individual.) You catch my drift.

What wakes the Realtor in a screaming sweat from this nightmare is when their client falls for this drivel...not only falls for it, but signs with this competing Realtor, and not only signs with this competing Realtor, gives them the price reduction you've been asking for for the last 60 days!

What drives the final stake through the Realtor's heart is when the home sells (due to the price reduction) and the competing Realtor promptly displays a big fat sold sticker on their sign!

If you have a Realtor that's doing a great job for you, for pity sake, be loyal! They will get the job done and they deserve your loyalty. Don't let someone else prey on your insecurity or frustration. Simply let them know you have a great Realtor and you're taking a break and kindly not to call you again. But, do bring buyers!

Oh, that reminds me that's another hook, "I have a buyer who would like a home like yours." Oh, really....why didn't they bring them buy during the 1/2 year it was listed?! Ha!

Competition is always a good thing, don't get me wrong. If you've had a dud Realtor, by all means do not favour them with further business. There are many fantastic Realtors with high ethical standards you could be using.

But if you have one of those great Realtors already, one who is doing everything possible to bring you a successful outcome...don't break their hearts! Stay true and stay loyal.