Clients' interests have a whole new meaning to me this week as I learnt about lessons I never thought I would. We signed a pledge to keep our clients' best interests and service above self. What I found is that "best interests" can come in many ways, shapes and form. And again, because we come from different backgrounds, belief systems and experiences, I never experienced the "realities" of this definition - clients' interest.
Like beauty, clients' BEST interests can fall in the in-between grey areas. What you think may be in your clients' best interests may end up being nosy, speaking too much (advice) or even stepping over the business relationship boundary. So, who's standards are you going to go by?
Years ago, when I signed up to be a Realtor, I found that I also signed up to be a friend, a marriage counselor, a financial counselor and in many ways - a mother (looking out for my clients). All these roles did not come voluntarily. It just happens. For example - I counseled a client in the middle of the transaction as she no longer wants to purchase a house with her fiancée because they went through a rough period in their relationship. Today, they still live in the house and have a son of their own. I counseled a client for she wasn't really ready to purchase a home, I helped her set up a monthly budget and cash flow. 2 years later, she met her husband and followed him to his base camp. I was very happy for her. I counseled a client who plans to breach a contract and setting himself down the wrong path when speaking to the wrong people. My heart cried and I warned him for a pending lawsuit. In the end, no one wins.
Because we deal with people and relationships, our business which should solely be transactional (get in, get the job done and get out), is no longer that way. This is real but no one in real estate school would tell you that.
All the advice is good if one seeks for it. However, this week I learnt what is BEST INTEREST advice may not be appreciated in the transaction. The real truth is that sometimes, some people just do not want the truth because he or she just want to believe one thing, while you think you are speaking to your clients for his/ her best interests. In fact, it may seem down right offensive.
In the past, I felt that I have been "too nosy" and laid my opinions (where not seeked) in some transactions - because I truly believe I was serving in my clients' best interests. So, sometimes I find myself holding back because I didn't want to cross over my boundaries just as their real estate agent.
But after lots of prayerful considerations, I decided that I cannot stop being me. That's just not right. Understand that I try to make myself very small in these transactions, but if I didn't share my experience, my advice and my wisdom, I would not have done my duty to them as my clients. Sure, I could always improve in the presentation of the best interest advice. Sometimes, even when not asked, that I should speak.
Will they get mad? Will they fire me? Will I lose them as lifetime clients? All these questions come through my mind. In the end, I will only have 1 question to bring it to 1 person - Did I serve them with their best interest in mind with the best of my ability, knowledge and resources? If my answer is YES, that's all I can do. In the end, I only serve 1 boss. My God is my CEO. He knows my heart. If He knows I've served His people well, to the best of my ability, I know I have done my best.
So, whose standards do we go by when we say clients' best interests? It's a good question to ponder today.
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I've Signed
Up To Serve My Clients' In Their Best Interest. By Who's Standards???
