Often times, people forget that a REALTOR® is just the “middleman” in a real estate transaction.
As a REALTOR®, my job is to provide my buyers and sellers with information to help them make the best decision for them.
Sometimes a buyer will ask me what I would offer, and I never give an exact answer.
I remind them that it is their decision, and their money. I am happy to give them guidance, such as, “don’t go below that” or “consider doing this.” I am happy to give suggestions on deposits, closing times and a price range. But when it comes down to it, I will never tell anyone exactly what price I think will sell something.
When buyers ask me to show them properties, I make them do their homework. They tell me the basics of what they want, and I send them properties. Then they have to do the drivebys and go through the properties to tell me what THEY want to see.
Sure, I can show them properties all day long, but those are properties that I think are good. I need to know what properties that they think are good.
As for my sellers, I give them a price range of what I think is appropriate to list for. It is their equity that we are playing with and they have a right to try for that higher number if they want.
A real estate transaction is between buyer and seller. The buyer and seller need to do what is best for each of them, and their REALTORS® are mere “middlemen,” guiding them through the process.
A REALTOR® should never get emotional in negotiations, worrying about just closing the deal and their commission. They are that buyer or seller’s monkey, and they need to do what is best for them.