Sometimes I think my brain is wired funny–other times I think it is other peoples brains that are wired funny.
The truth is probably closer to there being nothing funny about it at all.
Everyone has heard about, “doing things for other people the way you would do them for yourself.”
Now this is where I am wired “different”–I have always aspired to do things for other people BETTER than I would do them for myself. It may be some sort of character flaw on my part that makes me go the extra mile for other people and “settle” for some things for myself. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that for other people I am being paid to excel–where for myself, time, money and laziness factor into the equation. Or perhaps it is the principle of the cobbler’s kids all going barefoot.
I got thinking about this the other day when an agent called me for an inspection.
I love working with this agent–and have done so as many as 10 times–not a lot compared to some of the agents that refer me, but still a pretty good number. I have noticed over the years that all of these inspections for this agent are literally for that agent–or for their family.
What I find perplexing is why this agent would not want the same level of service for all of their buyers?
In this case it seems that they want the best service they can find for themselves and family but not for other people.
What am I missing here?
By Charles Buell, Real Estate Inspections in Seattle
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I can so relate Charles to doing a better job for others than myself. And, I’m a little baffled too that they’d hire your services for their own properties but not others. You’d think they’d always want to hire the best!
You’re not missing anything. You damn well what’s going on.
Four obvious possibilities:
* The agent only represents their friends and family.
* The agent trusts their friends and family more than their other clients. Specifically, they trust their friends and family to either not bail on a deal just because you bring up some issues, or they trust their friends and family to talk over the issue with the agent.
* The agent charges their friends and family very little. This means that the agent’s livelihood does not depend on whether the deal goes through.
* The agent expects to have to fix things that break down the road — but only for friends and family.
* The agent might think that you are “too strict”, or that your report is “too confusing”, or that your report makes the agent “look bad”.
Jasper, all good possibilities—I know of one that fits our first description for sure.