Realtor Reminder - Co-op Means Cooperate!

Recently, the most common complaint I'm hearing is about unreasonable and difficult co-op agents. As if negotiating and keeping closings together isn't hard enough right now with challenging market conditions and stringent financing requirements, it also seems as if agents are working AGAINST each other instead of helping to ease tensions and making contracts work. As my friend Fred Smith says, agents have gotten on the Sales Prevention Team. Stop it NOW. Our clients don't deserve this! Here are some actions you can take to smooth out your transactions and end with a win-win closing for your clients:
1) Remember co-op means cooperate. You must first ask yourself, "Am I one of these agents that becomes a crazy mad person when one little thing doesn't go right? Am I attacking agents that are showing my properties or writing offers?" If so, stop it now! Ask how you can help.
- Agents who have no direction or support are asking themselves how long they can stay in the business. They are being faced with having to quit and find a means to support themselves and their families. So, other agents are being blamed for all the woes of the world. Not fair, but it's happening. Also, when people need money, their perspectives and their attitudes change. When an offer is in hand and an issue arises, it crushes the hopes of much needed income and the co-op agent becomes the target for all the negativity.
2) Don't stoop to mean, aggressive, or unprofessional behavior when reacting. When the other agent is done blowing up, don't react. Simply tell him or her you see how he or she is having a bad day. As difficult as it may be, ask her how you can help to change her day. You NEVER know when you'll need this agent again or if you'll be in business with her in the future. Don't burn a bridge. Take the high road without allowing anyone to curse you. Stay polite and positive as you move the contract forward. If you get bogged down in reacting, your client loses and so do you.
3) Don't make people wrong. As soon as you make a co-op agent feel insecure, you will surely lose a sale. Communication will cease. And, out of spite, you'll have an agent working against you with his or her client. When you embarass a builder, a seller, or an agent by showing how incompetent he or she is YOU LOSE. I've seen builders refuse to work with certain co-op agents because he or she wanted to prove how smart he was to the builder and chose to beat him down. People need inspiration right now. So be the example of professionalism. You'll be surprised how many times you'll have the co-op agent's client hire you the next time. I've had the priviledge to be hired by many clients I met from other co-op agents. And, as they go out of business, you want their referrals! You'll only get them if you're nice.

If you need to vent before reacting, please contact your business coach or your broker. Don't vent on your spouse, your client, or the co-op agent. Make more money, represent your client well; cooperate!

27 Keller Williams Agents Convert to RE/MAX Advantage

We've all moved to RE/MAX! This economic market challenges us as Realtors to make the smartest business decisions we can. Luckily, our opportunity came at just the right time. Disgusted with poor leadership decisions and corporate untruths, we were EAGER for a new business model. Vicki and Robert Scott, owners of RE/MAX Advantage in Birmingham, Alabama offered us exactly what we were needing...a fresh start with high energy, integrity, stability, credibility, and plain old dollars and sense! All backed by the most recognized real estate name in the industry; RE/MAX.

Changing real estate offices can be such a scary thing, but not after meeting Vicki and Robert. With their 30 years of experience in the business; 20 of those as RE/MAX owners, their stability is what we (and every agent) needs right now. We're such a high energy group that feeds off each other. As a broker / team leader, my philosophy has always been to create the right environment in order for the agent to focus on what he or she does best; HELP CLIENTS! Both being agent centric, our styles were a definite match. Then, Robert showed us how to make the money work in our best interest. It was a no brainer! All 27 (28 including our AWESOME office manager) of us packed up and moved to RE/MAX.

Since joining, we've been pleasantly surprised how easy the staff made our transition. It felt like home here in only two days. We have also discovered that the RE/MAX name has given us such a credibility push; something we definitely didn't have at Keller Williams. After transferring over 200 listings, RE/MAX Advantage is #2 in market share. It's so wonderful to be together. We're laughing constantly, having a ball, and are way more productive. The increase in showings, offers, and closings is the BEST difference! Thank you Robert and Vicki. We love RE/MAX. To find out how easy it is for you to increase your business at RE/MAX, too, please call me, Genny Williams at 205-991-1500.