Remember the "old" days of selling real estate? When competitors didn't talk? When agents put themselves on pedestals? When they bragged about listings and sales? Or thought they had a "niche" no one could touch? Those days are over. The market has changed. Many real estate agents have been knocked down a peg or two, or left the business. In the "old" days, some agents wouldn't deign to show listings under certain price ranges, like under $300,000 or $200,000. Or they just limited themselves to certain towns- they wouldn't drive 25 minutes to show "regular" properties.
Now, no one is "too good". Everyone in this new economy has been affected by the down real estate market, job losses, home devaluations. And, I must say, they are a lot nicer for it. There is a new camaraderie, a humbling. In my last year of selling real estate on the Emerald Coast of Florida, I have made many new friends. We talk, share and discuss the market. We help get each other's listings sold. I don't mean from my office at Rulnick Realty, I mean from other COMPANIES in Destin and throughout the Panhandle. I regularly have conversations with other brokers about short sales, our multiple listing system, market statistics and ethics. I field phone calls from agents with questions about their own short sales- ones I have nothing to do with. In fact, many agents have referred short sale listings to me, or even their own properties for sale.
Yesterday, I closed on a listing referral I received from Mark A. DeSalvo of Newman-Dailey Resort Properties in Destin FL. He emailed me: "Great job! And you got the full asking price. You are the best." Mark's office is one street over from mine, and he sent a short sale listing to me.
Just this week, I sent a referral to Jimmie Greer, of Destin Beach Realty, for someone who was looking for a resort rental in Destin. I also received an email from an agent at Re/Max Paradise Properties in Destin asking for advice on her short sale. I listed a referral from Marno Wilson of JW Watts Properties for a Fort Walton Beach condo. I contacted Jayme Nabors, a commercial broker with NBI Properties, to send him a Niceville Florida business listing referral of one of my own sellers (no fee asked). That was just this week. This story has been repeated dozens of times in the past year.
There really is enough business to go around, as I wrote in How I Helped My Competition - On Purpose. On the Emerald Coast alone, there are over 13,000 listings for sale. I just hope this attitude of kindness and sharing can continue after the market normalizes. Although we are competitors, as Mark DeSalvo said to me:
"All us agents should be working toward the same goal of making the customer happy. It's a fun business when we have co-operation. It's what makes the world go around."
It's Wendy!
Wendy Rulnick, Broker, CRP, CRS, GRI, ABR Rulnick Realty, Inc.
Destin Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help.
Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204
Email Wendy to sell your home or buy a home: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com
Call Wendy Rulnick, Destin real estate agent,to list and sell your home or condo or help you buy a home or rental property on the Emerald Coast of Florida in Walton, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County- Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field.
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Wendy it is truly good to see competition turn into camaraderie, we were rewarded for going it alone in the old days, but now if you don't seek assistance in your sales you are an island with no boat or bridge. Cheers my friend have a great memorial Day weekend!!
Well said, thanks, Steve!
You are the first person that I've have heard talking about this. I typically work the lower end of the market and we who do that have been somewhat looked down on. As is "why waste your time with these little sales when you make so much more money with big ones." While that is true, there is a lot more business with the lower end of the marekt. And it's consistent! It's been kind of funny to see people who were too good to work with buyers etc scrambling for anything they can get. Things are kind of evening out. Cooperation benefits us all - burining bridges on one tranacttion may doom the next one. I've been reading lately that the personal aggrandizing type of marketing may backfire in today's world. Now it's back to showing. I could have worked 20 hours a day this weekend!!!
Hi Wendy, It really does seem like there is a bit more civility and cooperation among agents ! Hope it keeps happening !
Kathy - Thank you- we've had the same type of syndrome in my area. I've always sold all price ranges, have listings from $11,00 to 2M, and all over my area.
Bill - Me, too, I really like this new environment.
Wendy - I think cooperation is what's behing so many mentoring groups, or focus groups, or accountability groups. The smart agents realize that true sharing can make all of us better.
Oh..I dunno, I've met a few old timer REO agents who are still a little snippy.
Wendy, In my area it actually seems like more of a return to the good ole days. 10-15 years ago when we all knew each other. Then things exploded and so many ppeople got into the business. Now so many people have left the biz that I am once again dealing with all the old timers that were around 10-15 years ago.
Cooperation is a good thing...though I can't say that we have seen more of it...still too many agents who "don't get it"....cut a short sale price in half....think that listings priced to sell should still be 30% lower...buyers aren't the only ones that the media has convinced !
Wendy, Nobody can do all the business in town and it is tough working without cooperation. The good agents understand how important working together is. It seems like the flash in the pan agent will try to outsmart everybody else, but often their smartness is really them doing things that were outlawed 50 years ago. The sooner they learn that this is a people business the sooner they will achieve success. I hope the cooperative spirit is sustained. Nice post.
Sharon - I do share that attitude.
Konnie - Sorry to hear that.
Bryant - Just run them over!
Sally & David - Hmmm.... I am starting to hear a different trend in some of the comments.
Jim - I agree, thank you!
Hey were are all my incoming referrals : )
Eric - You'll be the "second" one to find out :)
We are all in this together and you are a great wealth of information, I only hope to be able to help folks like your blogs help me
Jeff - I have to tell you - I am VERY impressed with your Panama City Beach FL Team!!! My compliments. Your professionalism is an inspiration and worthy of admiration, too.