A while back, I wrote Does Your Business Name Set a Minimum Standard? In this post, I explained how my business name came about. For those of you who know the John 3:16 bible scripture would immediately connect with the business name, but 3:16 team REALTY is really built on 1 John 3:16 which I'm paraphrasing in my own context, Now I know what Love is because of what Christ did for me. It's my turn to give a life for those I serve.
I would be first to promise you that this is not a biblical post written on Active Rain. I have always shared how Christianity and Real Estate could work together. I am want us to be real - that there are real estate professionals that decided to take the cross right into their business. It's not one or the other. We are all one. What we are, what we believe in and how we conduct ourselves do affect how we would carry ourselves into our business.
What I never do is to start a discussion about my Christianity with my clients and other real estate professionals. I never tell them what I do on Sunday mornings - though it may be obvious. But because of my business name, it clearly put me in that spot. Sometimes even without asking, people know what I am.

This week, I've been challenged to negotiate in a way I've was never exposed to. When it had gone to a point where my fees were a matter of closing on a transaction or not. I've been asked to reduce my fees in an unconventional way.
"Loreena, it is clear that you are a Christian. Let me ask you this, Do you serve the SAME God as I do? My mission in my business is to facilitate buyers and sellers in real estate transactions. I'm not telling you how you should run your business."
Wow. I said nothing. The discussion about reducing my fees prior to this conversation went on over a week and my original answer was No. I have prayed about this decision and I do not felt nudged to do it.
This week, I said, Okay. I prayed about a number yet, the amount are not sufficient to close on the transaction. Although I dont feel nudged to do it, I did it because the other agent clearly needs to get paid, the lender needs to get paid, the title company and the home warranty needs to get paid. And most of all, my client needs to be able to purchase that home after patiently waiting for over 3 months. The sellers need to get out from under financial turmoil also. I realized all these but I just didn't like the spotlight placed on me. The fact of whether or not this transaction goes well were laid as my responsibility. I felt it was an unfair position that the other agent had placed me in. And especially when it was brought on me in this manner.
It was clear manipulation to grab me at my strength and to turn it into a negotiation tool. But I realize why he did what he had to do. Quiet honestly, it must have been very difficult for him to utter those words out of desperation. After thinking about it for a couple of days, I decided to forgive him.
Naturally, the Scripture of the Week is:
If you forgive those who sinned against you, your Father in Heavin will forgive you also. Matthew 6:14
Clearly, I'm not perfect. I probably had offended many others in real estate transactions. So, I'm not any more special or different. I'm letting this go. Forgiveness is what I will be working on this week. Please pray for healing to begin.
So, there you have it. Christians are not exempt from any real estate transactions. We still face manipulations and say things we shouldn't. Don't let this God First post stop you from sharing what's on your heart to comment - whether you are a Christian or not. As you have read, it's not beating the Bible over your head. Clearly Christians or not, we face challenges everyday in our transactions.
The Art of Professional Salesmanship - Isn't Forgiveness a Part of It Too?

I begin my week here on Active Rain with my God First posts, written every Sunday once a week. My promise to you is that the messages I share will be day-to-day related, often times related to real estate. If these topics are important to you also, I'd love for you to subscribe to my blog.

Note: All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more business building ideas. It is my intentions to bring you tips and ideas to help you grow successfully. I want to ensure the worthiness of your time subscribing to my blog. Click on the icon if you are an Active Rain member.
Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.
*************************************************************
I proudly serve and sell real estate in the northern suburb cities of the Dallas metroplex. If you are thinking about purchasing or selling your home in neighborhoods of Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area and other surrounding areas and more importantly, want to work with a local area expert, contact me at your earliest convenience.
I employ a systematic market approach in selling your home - an intentionally unique proposal that most real estate agents do not use. Find out how past clients are on their way to the closing table with this different proposition to home selling.
Contact:
Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com
Copyright © 2009 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY).
The Art of Professional Salesmanship - Isn't Forgiveness a Part of The Professionalism Too?