"What luck for rulers, that men do not think." - Adolf Hitler (scary thought)
So often, clients come to us as Real Estate professionals, "parroting" what they heard a friend tell them, or something they read in a newspaper or saw on TV. Our country is media driven. Whether we like it or not. But, many people believe what they hear. And often times the media has a very heavy slant on their stories. Often the information provided is just NOT accurate.
"The human mind prefers to be spoon fed with the thoughts of others, but deprived of such nourishment it will, reluctantly, begin to think for itself - and such thinking, remember is original thinking and may have valuable results." - Agatha Christie, English Author
I read every piece of Real Estate news I can get my hands on. Some of the information being written today is just NOT true. Some only provides some of the facts. Some of the information is right on target, informative and educational. But whether right or wrong, true or not true, so many people believe what they read and hear!
"Our opinions become fixed at the point where we stop thinking." - Ernest Renan
I used to joke by saying that I could go without ever picking up a local paper. But, I still knew EXACTLY what was written in it each week. The calls that come in to our office always followed the stories of the paper for the previous week, whether right or wrong! I find that we spend a considerable period of time re educating our consumers to what is really going on in the real estate market.
"If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking." -George S Patton, US army officer
The media loves big crowds. And, they love to feed consumers with their opinions. What happened to reporting the facts and letting consumers make their own decisions? Well, that seems to be a thing of the past!
"Men can live without air a few minutes, without water for about two weeks, without food for about two months - and without a new thought for years on end." - Kent Ruth
"Avoid the crowd. Do your own thinking independently. Be the chess player, not the chess piece." - Ralph Charell
As a real estate professional, how much time do you spend trying to re educate your client to what is really going on in the real estate market?
As a consumer, how much do you automatically believe as true, without verifying the information first?
Perceptions right or wrong start with the seed that has been implanted by the media. Sometimes the media is helpful with setting realistic expectations. But also the media can be harmful in running sked data that they massage to make a story. I do spend a lot of time going over the facts and the real facts. Good thoughts!
Sandy, ANYTIME I hear a client (agent or buyer) spouting off from negative headlines etc.... I will quickly give them the actual facts. I always try to do it in the nicest way possible so I dont alienate them... But being knowledgable in our business is one of the reasons people want to work with us. and if we cant be positive why are we here? I dont think there is a set amount of time, it is all dependant on the client and how much the need. Just being smart enough to read past the headlines and form our own opinions is important. Very often there is more than enough positive news hiding behind a doomy gloomy headline.
We always have statistics on hand (we do monthly market analysis of areas we cover), we have antedotes, and positive stories to inform our clients. But I think the general public percieves real estate agents as a class of salespeople only a notch above used car salesman. And that is our industry's fault. But beyond that people have become so programmed by the media that they don't want to think for themselves. They want someone else to make the decision for them. We as a country need to become more mentally active and learn to use critical thinking when analyzing the headlines. We try our best to educate, but sometimes they just don't want to listen. Good post, and best of luck.
More time than I can count, many buyers that I have are still thinking that they can offer considerably less on a house than it is listed for, I have one buyer we have lost several contract because of that, some people it takes a little longer to learn. :)
Educating your clients is always very important in our business but today especially. I take as much time as needed and use real life numbers to show them what the realty is for that particular property or the area. Great post.
Connie. I do agree that perceptions begin with the seeds planted from the media. So often they are convulted views and we must work with the client to educate them as to what is really going on!
Hi Robert, I for one get tired of hearing all the gloomy headlines. I think there are ways of presenting the good with the bad. What happened to just reporting the facts?
Jerry, I do agree that people are so programmed by the media that they just don't have to think for themselves anymore. Why should they when so many others can think for them?
Hey Konnie, How are you? It does take a while to work with some clients. Often times we find that the public is 1-2 years behind on their knowledge of what the local market is doing. I can see how this can happen, because they're not in it everyday, like we are. They just remember a figure on someones home selling down the street for a certain dollar amount. We must help to educate them on where are market currently is.
Hi Sonia, Education is number one for a client. I think that the better we educate our clients today, the more prepared they are when that offer comes in on their home for sale, or they know better how to write a good offer on a property for sale.
The media plants seeds in minds and people believe without local knowledge on personaly knowledge.... We are constantly reeducating people and localising the information.... Great post...
Hi Diane, I agree we must always help make consumers aware of what is taking place in their local markets.
I just wrote a few articles targeted at people in my area about what is really going on vs what the media says. I intend to keep doing it too. This is what we need to be doing.
How 'bout all the time! I really do have to re-educate anyone I come in contact with that is not in the Real Estate or Lending industry...I have to give them the facts about our local market and point out to them what they're hearing in the news does not apply to us...or that our numbers are not as despairing as what they've heard.
The good thing is it keeps me on my toes and I come out the winner because I can give them clear, accurate information.
Eau, I think that sounds like a great idea! Great job and keep them educated to the local market!
Hi Sandy;
I think all buyers need some to be re-educate in the buying process and today's market. The media did some job on the Real estate Market.
Joddie, I love your attitude about it keeping you on your toes - that is so true! It is up to us as professionals to stay abreast of our local and national markets!
Hi Anthony, I agree that the media has done a number on the real estate industry. If we let them they will continue to do so!
It is our job to educate and re-educate our customers. Sometimes it is hard with all the media playing a part. We have to stay up with the market and what it is doing in order to succeed.
Terrific post, and loved all your quotes, especially the final one. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Pat, I agree that it is very hard with the media involved. You are correct in that we must educate and re educate in order to succeed! I like the way you put that!
Hi Li, I found so many great quotes that caught my attention in writing this post. I love them - so many are so inspirationsl. Thanks for stopping by and I hope that you are well!
Sandy - I like the way your thoughts are organized. It brings to mind the Super Bowl commercial of a few years back that Hillary Clinton copied with the crowd all the same until one walked in with a different result. No product quotes, but I think everyone remembers this one. There are two few individual thinkers. Thanks for being one.
Hey Fred, Are you enjoying your weekend? I didn't see that one, but I'm not a football fan anyway. But that's not surprising at all - pretty typical really! I agree that people today just don't think for themselves - it sad, but it's safe! Thanks for the great compliment - I consider it an exceptional one coming from you! Take care!
BTW - I re-blogged this post. It is a great one.
Hi Fred, Thanks for the even bigger compliment! You are the second to mention that you are reblogging it. So glad to write an article that strikes a cord. Have a super weekend!
Lots of thought provoking quotes in this post no wonder so many people are reblogging it. I find myself spending lots of time trying to re educate people on why this is the time to buy. I try and explain to people that the media feeds off of negative energy and that not everything that you hear on TV is true. Sometimes they understand sometimes they don't. I've even had experienced investors tell me that they don't want to buy anymore properties till the market turns around.
Hi Justin, I also believe that the media thrives off of negative energy. I am shocked that your experienced investors are waiting to buy. But are they flippers? If they are looking to flip in 6 months to a year I wouldn't advise them to buy now. However, I would recommend they buy if they are looking to buy and hold. Take care. Always so nice that you stop by to give your perspective.
I do it through my blogs and when my clients bring it up to me on a personal basis, I address it right there.
Hi Loreena, I think that blogging is a great way to educate the consumer. And I think we must discuss the market on a daily basis with our clients!