Lately, I’ve been seeing a bit of chatter in the social media space about the Realtor/Client relationship.

It seems that the Seller/Buyer don’t like what they’re hearing or just plain get cold feet or second thoughts about their decision.

• There is one post called Home Seller Just Isn’t Negotiating by my friend and Realtor colleague, Doug Francis,  about an experience in nearby Vienna, VA.
• Then, there’s a Facebook posting by Kansas City, MO Realtor Michael Maher about being fired by a buyer client after some serious house hunting and the preparation of an offer on behalf of the buyer client.
• Finally, there is my own experience with marketing a particularly challenging home in a glutted market and getting a solidly good offer (not perfect but good) and having the Seller have second thoughts about their counter offer and withdrawing it — essentially rejecting the offer outright.

Why Even Use A Realtor?

I know that Realtors, as a group. don’t have the best reputation around.  I understand that some Gallup polls put us in the same group as Congress and lawyers.  Not your basic high trust group.

The fact is, though, that most Realtors are hard working, honest and committed to the highest standards of service to their clients.  Sure, there are some lazy and incompetent Realtors.  Ditto with doctors and accountants and plumbers.

The deal is this:  if you’re going to reach out and ask for (and pay for) the professional advice and guidance  and assistance of a dedicated professional with considerable experience and expertise — allow them to do what they’re trained to do.

If you want to do it on your own, you can.  It’s not as easy as it looks but, heck, give it a shot.