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About Sacramento Realtors Making Decisions for Clients
Probably one of the hardest things a Sacramento Realtor does daily is to pull herself out of the transaction and let the parties make their own decisions. I often see other agents earnestly advising their clients and getting very upset when the clients choose the opposite action. They might believe the clients are making a life-altering mistake or they are offended that the client hasn’t taken their advice, and what they generally tend to forget is the all-important fact that, hey, they don’t own the house, for example, the seller does, or their buyer is about to.
The other thing is just because a client disagrees with her agent doesn’t mean the client is wrong. Clients make decisions based on the way they perceive the information at hand and from their own life experiences, which might be very different from the way a Realtor interprets the situation. We are not White Knight agents, and should try to not get so wrapped up in a transaction that we can’t be impartial, if need be. Sacramento Realtors need to be the individuals with clear vision and a focus. We are the people our clients rely on. We are often the bedrock, the guide.
As a top producer Realtor in Sacramento, there are times that I find myself believing my clients are making an error, which is why I bring this up. Because I quickly let go of those thoughts, especially when the client is adamant. My job is to explain the pros and cons of a situation to my clients and to allow my clients the dignity of making their own decisions. If I were remiss and did not fully deliver the facts as I see them, then I would be at fault, and I never want to be at fault. I can even say, I think you’re making a mistake, but that’s where I draw the line.
Clients need to make their own decisions, and Realtors should deliver the information that will help clients to format the best solution. Realtors cannot and should not try to make any decision on behalf of the client.
Although, when I receive an offer for one of my sellers, I will try to share my thoughts on the offer, but whether to accept, counter or reject is always up to the seller. Because you never know which way it will go, never. If you think you do, you’re only fooling yourself. That’s what I’ve learned over the past 40 years in real estate. We can’t accurately predict all outcomes. Sometimes, even the strangest things will happen. The consequences, though, whatever they may be, belong to the client.
Do You Struggle When Making Decisions?
Do not be hard on yourself if you struggle with making decisions.
Decisions, decisions. You know how some people really struggle with making decisions? Like, should I buy a home? Should I move into this neighborhood or should I take the offer we just received on our Sacramento home? Those are major decisions that require processing, and everybody works on a different timeframe. Sometimes even minor decisions are a struggle such as what color should I paint my walls? Should I cut my hair? Should I stretch my earlobes to flaunt quarter-sized gauges? Should I shoot up heroin?
I am reaching back into my brain trying to find a time in my life when I seriously had trouble making a decision. I am one of those people who can quickly come to a conclusion and decide. Not a predicament for me. Even though I fully realize that with every decision I make, it means abandoning a ton of other decisions that are no longer an option.
I suspect that’s the part that bothers many other people. It’s not the decision itself, it’s the roads not taken. The regrets that people fear.
A long time ago in another land a wise person once said to me, “Make your decision and then make your decision right.” Most people do that anyway, in a natural way. If you give them enough time.
The reason I can be so patient with my clients in Sacramento real estate is because I understand the reluctance to make a decision, and am emphatic to the anguish that decisions can cause for so many people.
My interaction is to inform, educate and guide. Clients can make their own decisions in their own time. I don’t push anybody. I listen instead. Part of the reason sellers hire this Sacramento Realtor to list a home, for example, is because they don’t want a bumpy escrow. No drama here. They rely on my 40-some years in the business to ensure they don’t make mistakes, to maintain a smooth process, and guard against unsavory tactics that can fluster a less experienced agent.
Sometimes I’m just a sounding board. Should I or shouldn’t I, people ask. I can provide direction but only the decision maker who asked the question can choose.
