Be careful of hidden messages or signals

Not long ago I walked into a new home sales center. The salesperson's card had several designations listed including ABR. While this is a great designation, it is totally inappropriate to have on your business card if you are representing a builder because you most definitely will not be representing the buyer in any potential transactions.

Along these same lines, I walked into a model home several years ago and the decorator had placed a copy of a book on the table in the foyer - not an uncommon practice. Except, no one must have looked at the title. It was "How To Avoid Foreclosure In Real Estate." How's that for first impressions? I wish I had taken a picture of it.

Just be careful - first impressions do count.

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For more information on my coaching services or sales tips visit my website stevehoffacker.com or my blog homesalesinsights.com.

14 comments • Steve Hoffacker - Sales Trainer/Coach, Sales Books Author, Photographer • August 29 2008 01:49PM

Comments

That is so true. Too bad you did not snap that photo, it would have been priceless on this blog!

Posted by Betina Foreman-Realtor, C.N.E. selling homes in Lake Travis & central Austin! (512-771-6318 Austin Home Girls Realty) over 3 years ago

What irony!  Wonder if the builder still has the book...good chuckle for the morning.  Thanks.

Posted by Terry Bishop (RE/MAX Excalibur) over 3 years ago

To funny!!!

Posted by Falls Crossing (William Ryan Homes) over 3 years ago

Very, very true.

 

Thanks for the post bud!

Posted by Travis Newton OREGON FHA, VA & USDA FINANCING (Salem and Bend Oregon Mortgage Expert 503.931.4490) over 3 years ago

Betina,

As I said, it was a while back. Wasn't blogging then, and probably didn't even know what a blog was. But, I'll keep an eye out for this in the future.

Steve

Posted by Steve Hoffacker - Sales Trainer/Coach, Sales Books Author, Photographer (Hoffacker Associates LLC) over 3 years ago

Terry,

Don't remember which builder it was so no way to tell if he's still around - hope he didn't have to read the book.

Steve

Posted by Steve Hoffacker - Sales Trainer/Coach, Sales Books Author, Photographer (Hoffacker Associates LLC) over 3 years ago

Sherry,

Thanks. Glad you got a chuckle out of this. Keep an eye out for distractions.

Steve

Posted by Steve Hoffacker - Sales Trainer/Coach, Sales Books Author, Photographer (Hoffacker Associates LLC) over 3 years ago

Travis,

How often is it that we get tripped up or derailed by the little things? Thanks.

Steve

Posted by Steve Hoffacker - Sales Trainer/Coach, Sales Books Author, Photographer (Hoffacker Associates LLC) over 3 years ago

Whoops! What a great selling feature... wonder how long it stayed there?!?!?

Posted by Teresa Harris ~ Denver . Lake Norman . Charlotte (Lake Real Estate, LLC) over 3 years ago

Teresa,

Who knows? It could still be there, but by now someone has probably taken it to read. :)

Steve

Posted by Steve Hoffacker - Sales Trainer/Coach, Sales Books Author, Photographer (Hoffacker Associates LLC) over 3 years ago

Steve - That is funny.  I guess somebody wasn't paying attention.  It's probably still there...  :)

Posted by Debi Ernst GRI, e-PRO, Broker/Sales Associate (St. Charles County, Missouri - Prudential Alliance Realtors) over 3 years ago

Debi,

If that home still hasn't been sold or is foreclosure - who knows? :)

Steve

Posted by Steve Hoffacker - Sales Trainer/Coach, Sales Books Author, Photographer (Hoffacker Associates LLC) over 3 years ago

Thats akin to leaving your divorce papers out for potential buyers to see...can you say "lowball offer"?

Posted by Scott Owens - REALTOR® (Prudential Property Specialists) over 3 years ago

Scoot,

Yes, anything like that can give the potential buyer a pause.

Steve

Posted by Steve Hoffacker - Sales Trainer/Coach, Sales Books Author, Photographer (Hoffacker Associates LLC) over 3 years ago

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