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Pulse is a recurring column where we ask for readers’ takes on varying topics in a weekly survey and report back with our findings.
For so many reasons, communicating just seems to be harder these days. Some of us got out of face-to-face communication practice during the pandemic and never regained that gift of gab. For others, the commission lawsuit settlement has left us tongue-tied and unsure about what we can say, should say or absolutely need to avoid saying. It’s making for some pretty bad communication moments.
That’s why we wanted you to tell us about the big communication blunders you’re seeing now. We asked: Are agents stumbling over post-settlement talking points? Are they struggling with real-life versus online communication? Is everyone texting when a phone call would be better?
Here’s what you had to say:
- Agents are not proficient in negotiation. It’s more than numbers; it’s starting with a clear context for communication.
- Listing brokerages dictating how sellers can structure deals is very bad. Agents who refuse to cooperate or share any information when a buyer asks for it.
- Texotiating … never picking up the phone and negotiating a deal completely over texting. It’s lame and weak, and it does not provide any service to our clients.
- I had a buyer call to see my listing. When I showed it to him, he began to tell me about another showing he had where he called the listing agent to see the home, but they sent a buyer’s agent to show it without discussing anything about a written agreement with him on the phone.
The agent shows up in the driveway and insists he has to sign a buyer’s agency agreement to see the property. After he refused, the agent began to give him other options of agreements he could sign to see the house, but at that point, the buyer did not trust him at all and refused to sign anything, and he was unable to see the home!
The agent should have discussed agreement options prior to driving to the property. He should have met with him at his office or had a Zoom call with him and sent him the agreement to sign beforehand. You can’t throw that at a buyer in the driveway of a house without any notice.
What did we miss? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Editor’s note: These responses were given anonymously and, therefore, are not attributed to anyone specifically. Responses were also edited for grammar and clarity. Inman doesn’t endorse any specific method and regulations may vary from state to state.