Preamble
Widow with 3 adult sons remained in the family homestead of 40 years. The growing needs of being a senior now require a single floor for mobility and less snow shovelling or house / lawn maintenance. Its expensive to heat the 4 bedroom house for one person. She expressed her interest to change to a condominium with her BFF [who was previously a REALTOR ® ] Smartsizing*
There was a swift introduction to a Friend of the BFF. [bird dog]
He took her out a few times to look at condos, and then reminded her that she was obligated to him. The sons are all past clients of mine. The sons recommended that she contact me about her needs.
BUT ... She felt obligated.
They settled on a condo unit and a closing date. The home was listed for sale at $XXX. Toronto, Ontario, Canada's real estate market for detached homes is firmly a SELLER's Market. After a few days on the For Sale, he asked What will you take... What's your final price. What's your lowest price?
She finally responded to the questions with... "I will not take less than $YYY"
An offer from a showing appeared exactly at $YYY and the agent sheepishly added;
But thats all they can afford to pay....
The agent double dipped the seller on the detached home and sold a condo.
The family suspects that the Widow [their Mom] was shorted [duped] out of about 10% of the homes value by an unscrupulous agent. We all want a trust relationship, transparency and fiduciary duty to our clients. Mom doesn't believe she was manipulated.
"Happy Buyer" and a "Happy Seller" means that there is no ethical complaint against this realtor. BUT should we sit by and permit this? We talk about raising the bar in real estate transactions then find stories like this are more common.
What would you do?
It doesn't matter if you ask it differently...
What if you rephrased it this way...
The answers remain the same.
We need to qualify you for a mortgage...
They want to see your Notice of Assessments for the past 3 years....
Your deposit needs to be in your accounts 90 days prior to the house / condo purchase...
A house purchase should have a survey... even if you have Title Insurance.
Your lawyer needs to read and obtain a Status Certificate...
A Power of Attorney will be questioned...
Photo ID is not negotiable We need to comply with FINTRAC. And NO we do not TAKE CASH because we would need to report you to Canada Revenue.
Not Declaring Rental Income is Evading Taxes...
Flipping properties without living there for a year [post registration] is a FLIP. Its taxable.
Not everything you read on the internet is the truth....
But If you want some direct answers to some serious questions... I can help you. Not because I'm a KNOW IT ALL, but because I've been doing it for 25 years. If I don't know the answer, I will know where to look for a response.
Call and ask your questions 416 233 9000
Why should people do business with you?
People will do business with you if;
They like you
They know you
They trust you
So how do we deal with that?
Cold calls
Spam or Drip Emails
Junk Mail / Flyers
When you meet at an open house or event do you send a personal handwritten Thank you note? Confirm their appointments with a Text? Or Do you work the room until you have shook every hand with a business card?
Have you asked ... How is it that I can reach out to you? How can I help?
What we were was doing all those years ago canvassing, was known as cold calling, the unrefined art of slogging through a lists of names either over the telephone or in person in hopes of hitting on someone who might be interested in buying or selling. Interruption Marketing has changed.
I do not want to you to join the DO NOT CALL LIST and keep interrupting you at dinner or when you are putting the kids to bed or Knocking on your door; when you answer with the intercom because of security concerns.
Now, we need to embrace targeted, focused marketing with video.
Social Media has permitted us an opportunity to engage online and have a look at the marketplace for the goods and services we require. Connecting socially is not a metric about Kred or Klout. Its about suggesting the best course of action for that person, not an extra venue to blast about your products.
We are trying to fill that need by providing services that better meet your expectations.
How can I help you? Tell me about it...
David Pylyp
416 233 9000
Accredited Senior Agent
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
A Special Thank You to Scott Stratten @UnMarketing for his engagement policies and lessons shared. Also to Gary Vaynerchuk @GaryVee and his insights with the Thank you Economy. It's the technology that blends Social Media with old world connections to the community. We need to recognize and greet our customers by name.
