Be polite to knobs; it'll drive them crazy!

I was going to call this blog, "Did you let them get your goat?"  But there's something delightful and descriptive about the word "knobs!"  As an aside, did you know that the expression "got your goat" is a term from thoroughbred horse racing.  Some very high strung running horses are calmed down by a stall mate -- a goat.  The goat keeps the horse grounded.  So, if a scoundrel wanted to throw a horse race, they would steal the race horse's goat!  The horse would stress so much, it would not run well.  But I digress.  Sort of.  



Let's face it, it is not uncommon in any field of endeavour to run across those bullies or blowhards who raise unpleasantness to an art form.  They are usually well known.  And, it is delightful to plot all sorts of witty and caustic responses to their blather.  And, let's not even delve too far into the tragically flawed and rude drivers on the road and what we plot for them!


In my work as a professional REALTOR, my latest challenge is to be unchanged by ill mannered people.  It is deeply satisfying to stay professional and polite to someone who is anything but!  Why?  Well, you keep control of your own heart and mind and you don't let someone else have the power to ruin your day.  (Or get your goat!)  Nothing is so deflating to a blowhard than to have their poor behavior ignored and disregarded.  Nothing catches someone like that as off guard as someone who is so secure in themselves they can't be rattled into acting badly and dropping to the level of insults or slights. 




Very rarely for me (and for this I am thankful....and it helps that I'm selective about taking on clients) a client, under stress, will behave badly toward me.  It is tempting I confess to plot a reduced level of follow through service and nix the generous gift giving.  However, the one being hurt by that would be me.  It is far richer to treat someone who has been rude with the same professional courtesy and follow up I afford all my clients.  (This is not to say I'd take them on again; that would be dumb!)


Indeed, it is not a wimpy response, but a very strong and deliberate one to stay in fine character.  And, if you're like me, you have trusted friends and colleagues that you can get your rant out with so you do have an outlet for your creative retorts!


You know my best test for success in not letting someone get my goat?  Forgetting their name!!  Forgetting the details of the transaction and not having one tiny speck of emotion tied up in them.


So...I repeat...be polite to knobs; it will drive them crazy! 

What you want to hear likely isn't what you need to hear.

At Rotary today a Realtor joke was told;  "A Realtor will always sell you a two story home.  One story before you buy the home and another story after!"  Ouch!


Did you know though that most of the best and talented Realtors are not the ones you hear about the most or see the most signs with their name on.  And one reason is this.  A Realtor interested in volume listing is clever enough to tell the seller what they want to hear.  Likely that has to do with how valuable their home is and how much it will sell for.

An excellent Realtor, however, will not be as popular.  Why?  Because they are the ones that instead give sobering and realistic counsel and who calculate pricing on known sales and knowledge of the market in the local area.  Of course one would hope they're also charming and tactful!


A Realtor just wanting to butter up the client to get the listing will have nothing but nice things to say about the property and the state of it.  A Realtor interested in getting the job done and really getting the most money for the home will have candid comments about drawbacks and make recommendations on small fixes that could net large rewards.


A person just wanting the listing will agree that it was the fault of the 5 previous Realtors that the property never sold.  A professional will be rather more frank and inform the client that (especially knowing there are many fine pros that might have been already involved) the problem was not with the previous Realtor but rather with either the product or the pricing.


What you want to hear when selling your home, or buying a home, is not necessarily what you need to hear.


You may want your Realtor to agree with you that the property you've fallen in love with is perfect.  You may NEED to hear, however, that there are significant issues to consider before launching ahead with an offer.


You may want your Realtor to write up an offer just because you've told them to.  You may NEED for them to tell you that you are under duress and that they want you to sleep on it and consult your family.


You may want your Realtor to factor in all the advise you've garnered from neighbours, friends and relatives about the price your home should sell for.  You may NEED your Realtor to rely instead on their professional comparables!


Don't be sold a two story home.  Forget the flash and go for the substance when picking the next professional you entrust with your greatest financial asset.