A Realtor’s Christmas Wish List and Thanks

by Shawn Lackie

It’s that time of the year again and I always want to send my list to Santa for things to wish for. Against all logic, I thought I would share here:

1. Awesome clients, like I have had in the last few years. It makes the job a joy and really NOT a job. These people have dreams and wishes, and being able to fulfill some of their aspirations is inspiring to me. Especially when they find THAT place. Especially first-time buyers. Matt, Hannah, Sarah and Anujan, Anthony and Jenna, Rob, Dana, Nate, Dianna - you guys rock.

2. Brokerages which treat their agents with respect, and aren’t constantly trying to get a leg up in everything going on. It’s enough, you have to deal with other agents/brokerages who don’t have a clue. When your own “team” is being obnoxious, it doesn’t help. I am glad I got away from some toxic environs. Especially the ones which want to call the business a “family” Puleeeeeese. It’s not a family. It’s a business and calling it anything other than that is sacrilegious. Are we supposed to have dinner together every Sunday night while Dad cooks the roast beef? Really?

3. Governing bodies which actually help and tell the truth. I’m getting a little tired of reading about how everything is trending up. Really? Have you dug into the numbers? It seems these groups are more concerned with membership numbers (read Dues) than actually painting a more realistic picture. So, they keep floating it out there, everything is rosy. Time to deal with the cold hard facts. Like it or not.

4. Brokerages which stop with the Baloney, they have “The best training ever invented.” There is one which comes to mind, it shall remain nameless, but suffice it to say, they have fashioned their whole platform on their top level training. All the while, still carrying on with commission splits from the 80’s. Get with the time folks.

5. More Agents who understand the meaning of the word negotiate. It seems this is a dying art and there don’t seem to be too many new agents who want to learn this trusted age-old practice. Many newbies came along either just before or during the pandemic and they learned, the art of negotiation was simply putting a For Sale sign on the property, then set a date for offer presentations and let the market REALLY decide the selling price of the home. Now things have settled down and there is more of a balanced market, the agents actually have to appraise and come up with a reasonable listing price for the home. More importantly, they then must be able to convince the owner this is the new reality reality. You won’t be getting multiple offers and 100K over ask. That bird has flown. Deal with it, in a logical manner.

6. My biggest wish is everyone has a safe and happy holiday and a bountiful new year.

Give thanks to all around you and don’t be afraid to pay it forward every day. The greatest gift of all. Put a smile on someone else’s face. It’s actually fun.

Feel free to check out this story and more on my blog site, at https://slackie14.wixsite.com/buy-sell-and-more