Reasons We’re Not Gonna Take It

We’re not gonna take it could be a Sacramento Realtor’s theme song.

We’re not gonna take it. I woke up this morning with a song running through my head. I could hear the guitar licks before my feet hit the ground:

We’re not gonna take it
We’re not gonna take it
We’re not gonna take it
We’re not gonna take it

We’re not gonna take it
Never did and never will
We’re not gonna take it
Gonna break it, gonna shake it,
let’s forget it better still

Now, I realize not every client wants to hear the truth — whether it’s the truth about purchasing power, inventory, comparable sales or whether objectives are realistic. However, I am generally very direct. I call it like I see it. Not everybody appreciates that. Some want their information delivered in small sugar-coated dosages. While I try to be accommodating and give my clients superior service, it doesn’t mean I am willing to sacrifice my ethics nor my integrity to do so. Because every time I am tempted to set aside my convictions and policies, I later kick myself.

In my experience, the best thing to do is to let go and remember: You can’t salvage every deal. You can’t take every listing. You can’t satisfy everybody. No matter how hard you try. If you and your client are worlds apart, that’s where deals go to die. Let them die. The world won’t come to a screeching halt.

My policy is six-month listings. Especially in this market. If you don’t trust me, don’t feel loyalty nor believe I will do a good job for you, we should not do business together. I will cancel a 6-month listing after 90 days but I won’t take a 90-day listing. There are plenty of other agents who will; I am not one of them. I spend a lot of money on advertising and marketing; I work hard and diligently for my clients, and I expect support. It’s me or a less experienced agent. Take your pick.

Buyers, if you insist on offering 80 cents on the dollar when the sellers of that home is receiving multiple offers, I’m not working with you. Because you are looking for a needle in the haystack. You are not a serious buyer. I excel at negotiation, but if you don’t get the property because you offered too little, we both lose. My job is to see that your offer gets accepted, not rejected. Take your pick.

To the buyer who now insists that the seller pay for Section 2 work that was not specified in the contract, this is the hill on which you will die. Especially since the seller is paying for your new roof and a home protection policy. The seller has no more money to give you. Your $10,000 deposit in escrow can sit there until the cows come home because the seller will contest its release if you try to cancel. Fight or close escrow. Take your pick.

To the seller who couldn’t sell her home for two years because it was overpriced, I’m not taking the listing at the same price. The reason your home didn’t sell is because it’s not worth what you are asking. Either you make repairs to bring it in line with other comparable homes in the neighborhood or you slash your asking price. Or, hire a brand new agent who hasn’t been around the block, because I’m not one of those. Lower the price or don’t sell. Take your pick.

Every time I stand by my guns, er, guitar, I end up successful. When I make a concession, go against my general nature, I always regret that action. When I am successful, so are my clients. We’re not gonna take it; never did and never will.