Real Estate’s a Dirty, Nasty Business

Real Estate's a Dirty, Nasty Busines
Real Estate's a Dirty, Nasty Busines

Real Estate’s a Dirty, Nasty Busines

Thirteen whole years. Thatā€™s how long Iā€™ve been in the real estate business. I remember the ļ¬rst time I talked to the guy who would become my broker. He asked me what I did for a living at the time, and I let him know I was a computer consultant. ā€œWhy would you want to go and trade a nice business like that for a dirty, nasty business like real estate?ā€ he asked.

I remember I laughed out loud; I thought he was joking. As the years have gone by though, itā€™s become abundantly clear though that he wasĀ completelyĀ serious. Turns out that real estate is, in fact, a dirty nasty business.

Perhaps youā€™ve seen ā€œMillion Dollar Listingā€ on the Bravo network – Iā€™m a fan, of both the New York and Los Angeles versions (I prefer New York). I’m not so hot on the new Million Dollar Listing San Francisco, but I’ll give it time. Ā These shows sure do make the business look fun and exciting – but rest assured, they leave most of the truly sordid details on the cutting room floor. They have to – because if the practice of real estate in L.A. and New York is anything at all like it is in my neck of the woods, thereā€™s all kinds of stress, animosity, and incompetence which isnā€™t what Iā€™d call sexy but, when you’re in the middle of it, can beĀ plenty dramatic.

Everyone wants to know…

After 13 years and hundreds of homes sold, Iā€™ve ļ¬nally gotten to the place where I am pretty well inured to it. I feel that any veteran agent pretty much has to be. Over the course of any listing – and especially during any actual transaction, when a buyer and seller are in contract – itā€™s very possible something could arise that might imperil the deal. And thatā€™s when things can get ugly.

Most people donā€™t buy or sell a home more than a couple-few times in their lifetime – and usually not more than once every 5-10 years at the most. And things can change a lot in 5-10 years, so any one personā€™s past experience with the sales process may not be as relevant to a present-day transaction as they might expect. Given the amount of money involved, the fact that itā€™s usually someoneā€™s home weā€™re talking about, and the average personā€™s typical lack of experience with the process, itā€™s not surprising that tempers ļ¬‚are when something goes off track.

Buying or selling residential real estate is usually as much about emotion as it is about money. Actually, itā€™s usually a lot more about emotion than about money, but the money involved raises the stakes and brings tension to a fever pitch. And it turns out that itā€™s times like those where itā€™s really, really handy to have a calm, cool, and collected real estate agent in your corner, keeping you focused on whatā€™s really important, and helping you meet your objective.

Time to talk to a REALTOR?

Craigslist Logo

Craigslist Logo

I spend a few minutes every week browsing the For Sale By Owner listings on Craigslist – looking to see if I can ļ¬nd a good property for some buyer clients, or who knows, pick up a listing from a ā€œfor sale by ownerā€ who is just testing the waters. I came across a FSBO ad the other day where the owner suggested that anyone interested in his property just come over and sit down with him, have some coffee, and they can come to mutually agreeable terms. He said heā€™d sold several homes that way, and they were the ā€œeasiest transactions ever.ā€

I believe him – but then, I also believe hey, maybe there really are UFOs – it canā€™t be proven one wayĀ or the other so Iā€™m keeping an open mind. In my experience, relations between buyers canĀ become, shall we say, fraught, and without an agent there to help cooler heads prevail, thereā€™sĀ many a sale that would fall through. Check out what this attorney had to say on Quora if you don’t believe me.

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I know what youā€™re thinking – itā€™s the agents themselves who get in the way of the deal. Surely thatā€™s what this FSBO would argue. They interject their ego, create mountains out of molehills, pull stunts to demonstrate their value in the process. Sure, that happens. In any profession, there are winners and losers, good agents and bad. But remember this – unless the deal closes, the agents get nothing. It makes no sense for an agent to do anything that would scupper the deal, unless they are so instructed by their clients. And yes, an agent could inadvertently do something to cause problems – but thatā€™s an example of a bad agent, or a good agent who made a mistake. It happens.

Over the years Iā€™ve been in the business, I have really grown to appreciate the value a good agent can provide. Being one of the cooler heads is just one aspect of an agentā€™s often-times crucial role.

While I agree that real estate can often be a dirty, nasty business, itā€™s also a rewarding one. Owning real estate is a major commitment. And being the guy who helps someone get into or out of that commitment can really be extraordinary.

Selling on your own?

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Seb Frey
Seb Frey helps long-time Bay Area homeowners make their next move easily the next one yet. If you're looking for a minimum of hassle, maximum net cash on sale, and certain results, contact Seb today.