I am in the process of picking up a new client. We have had several emails back and forth discussing my commission structure. He is planning to buy a new home and list his current one. He emailed me last night and asked me to send him all of the homes I have sold. Being a relatively new agent, I knew my list wouldn't be extensive. Would this turn him off? I got a fleeting feeling of sickness as though I had to defend myself but then quickly realized I didn't have to defend anything. I only had to be honest. I sent him the homes I have sold in the last year, from vacant land lots at $135,000 to vacant land at $743,000. I also sent him information on the homes I sold from under 300K up to the great million dollar home I sold in Maple Leaf, including my current listings in Phinney Ridge and Bothell. My response went a little something like this:
Hi Jim (name has been changed),
Here is the information you requested. I have had my real estate
license a little over two years. The first year I had a child and it
really is this last year that I have gotten the chance to dive in. I am a
go-getter so you won't be disappointed in my service. Please know that
I work for a wonderful broker at Brio Realty, who makes sure all the i's are
dotted and the t's are crossed. I am not one of those people who makes
stuff up, so I won't lie and say I have been in the biz for 10 years.
Is this a concern for you? If so, I assure you I always put my best
foot forward and strive for success. Should you have any additional
questions, feel free to shoot them off via email, otherwise I will phone
you tomorrow evening.
Sincerely,
Ashley
I went to bed feeling good with my response. I am just not someone who can lie. It doesn't feel good to me. I have heard from people to fudge the truth to get the deal, but that just isn't how I function. Fortunately for me, John liked my answer and plans to meet with me next week to look at his home. Wish me luck. I just may have a new listing.
Hi Ashley,
I am with you. You gave him an excellent response. Update us with what his response was.
Leslie, His response was as follows:
"Great. I want you to have some experience. What you have should be fine. Let's talk today and meet next week at my home?"
So I will be calling him this evening.
Ashley
Congrats! I've been in real estate since 1991. I can tell you that some of the newer agents bring more to the table than some of the seasoned agents. They are not "set" in their ways and are innovative in their approach to selling homes. Good Luck and congratulations on a new listing.
Thanks for sharing, Ashley. That is a great response! And it is good to hear that his response back was positive.
Hi Ashley. I'm really happy that "Jim" responded the way that he did. It just goes to show you that telling the truth is always the best action. What if you lied and he caught you in it? That would have been awful. Good luck with getting that listing!
~Renae