Herding Cats!

I have heard the phrase “It’s like trying to herd cats” twice in the last couple of days. I like this saying. And it seems to me that it is the perfect description of the life of a Realtor in the FUN market we are experiencing…at least here in sunny Arizona.

It can relate in a number of areas based on my experience. The most obvious one is the short sale process. Can you get your sellers to do what you need them to do? Like leave the utilities on…getting the property “show ready”…cooperate with getting all of the necessary documents together to submit a complete short sale package. It is sometimes a hard task as some folks are mentally “checked out” of the home and have a low motivation to do as you ask. Of course it is up to the agent to inspire them to perform based on the potential advantages of doing a short sale as opposed to foreclosure. But sometimes…it’s like herding cats.

Then there is the actual lender involved with a short sale. Getting them to give the approval letters…especially when there are two or more lenders…is REALLY like herding cats! They want you to cut your commission (ah…NO by the way)…they want the sellers to sign a promissory note (again…usually NO)…and they want you to close in 20 days on an FHA loan (REALLY NO…especially since the new GFE changes).

Another thing. Buyer clients. Have you ever been out showing and walk into a home that is CLEARLY NOT what your clients is looking for? (I know…previewing is recommended…but that does not always happen in the real world…for me anyway) Well…some folks feel it necessary to walk the entire home commenting about all the things they DO NOT like! Why not just walk in….and walk OUT!? I have been better about gently  “coaching” clients about NOT doing this as usually we have many homes to visit…but sometimes…it’s like herding cats!

And lastly…paperwork. I think it is somewhat of a common theme among salespeople that we are typically not that great with the paperwork. I am forever chasing paperwork. Don’t get me wrong…I make sure my clients are protected and submit complete clean offers, but occasionally I need a document my Broker requires that I neglected to get upfront. From the other agent…from my clients…from the lender. WHATEVER!! I think I really need an assistant but am too much of a control freak to get one. Hummmm…it’s like herding cats…but I think this one is my fault.

I am making a commitment TODAY to start corralling my “cats” and become more efficient with my paperwork issues. If I had one wish it would be that the the banks involved with short sales would do the same!