The 3 Most Important Ways Agents Should Manage Their Opinions

A lot of us get into this business because we love helping our clients through their big life steps, but along the way, emotions can run high. Let’s face it, sometimes our inner thoughts aren’t the most graceful. We’re only human. But we signed up for this job and all of the customer service and psychologizing that goes along with it… which means finding ways to manage our feelings and opinions so we can put our clients first. 

TIP #1 - Don’t Steamroll Your Buyers.

This seems obvious, but the more houses you tour, the more bad situations you come across. Your clients might not have the ability to see red flags, even if the flags are practically slapping you in the face. In this case, rather than try to convince them that the house they have their hearts set on is absolutely wrong for them, stick to the facts. Remind them to take time and think about their decisions, rather than leaping on something that isn’t right for them. If they decide to buy despite your efforts, make sure you protect their interests when you set up the deal.

TIP #2 - Sympathize With Sellers.

Our goal is to guide them in depersonalizing their home to make it appealing to potential buyers. If you’ve never done it before, you have no idea how hard it is. It’s a delicate task to suggest removing their personal touches—those are the things that make the house their home. But no matter how you slice it, creating that neutral canvas is crucial in helping buyers envision their future in the space. Help your seller understand the buyer’s perspective - if the buyer feels like an uninvited guest, they won’t stay long enough to THINK about buying.

TIP #3 - Communicate Without Oversharing.

Whether you like it or not, managing our emotions is a huge part of this job. It’s natural to form opinions about other agents, a seller’s decorating skills, or a buyer’s naivete. No matter what, AVOID BECOMING A GOSSIP. Not only does it undermine the trust you’re trying to build with your clients, it can also earn some (well-deserved) negative attention from other agents. No matter how close you think you are with your clients, keep your interactions professional and fact-oriented.

Remember, real estate isn’t just about properties; it’s about people and their dreams. Don’t squish someone’s dreams by letting your big feelings get in the way!