Gloria your actions make me proud to be a realtor because it is not always about getting the listing but doing what is best. You furnished good advice. Your reward will be there when he eventually list. If he doesn’t than someone else will fill in because honest and fair Realtors are rewarded. Good job!

Glolria, one of the big big reasons I got into real estate is because of dishonesty in our profession. My daughter had called a then, big agent in town to look at a property. He quickly told her she would have to sell hers first and he was ready to list it. OH did that make me mad. I called him (before I was in real estate) and told him she was wanting to look and I set up an appointment. I hate dishonesty.

Being honest with people has seemingly not helped my business at times, but I believe it comes back 10 fold. Do it, be honest even when you loose a listing. I have told my husband I could do twice the business I do if I just lied all the time. But, like you, and others, that is not what I am about. It is always right to do right. Keep it up!!

Something that was in my high school gymnasium years and years (too many) ago, read "For when that ONE GREAT scorer, comes to write next to your name, He writes not if you won or lost, but how you played the game....

Those words stuck with me and will forever.

Be honest, don't try and force a mandate, that's the right way.

The guy will remember you and come back to you (hopefully).

Some realtors would have driven it down his throat just to get a listing.  You on the other hand gave good advice which will result in more business than just this one deal down the road.  

You did the exact right thing. If the property is a positive cash flow property there is no reason to sell it!

Todd

You absolutely did the right thing.

My name is not Earl, but I DO believe in Kharma.  Doing the right (good) thing will only bring good back to you - and it's usually 10 fold.  It doesn't always come back from the place you sent it; i.e., getting this guy's listing, but it DOES always come back.

I can't add anything more other than to say that you earned the respect of everyone here for your professionalism and honesty. Gloria, that approach will pay you big dividends in the long term.

I just advised one of my clients not to relist right now.  he has 2 mobiles on an acre that are rented out.  The market here is very slow, so why not let them pay as long as they are willing to until the market rallies.  Lost a listing, but he is an investor and appreciated the advice. I'm glad others are willing to do what they feel is right and that is difficult sometimes when money is tight.  

I believe in the REALTOR® code of ethics and in Providence. Those 2 beliefs have always given me everything I have ever needed in my life, at the time I needed it. The rest is just stuff to carry around. Do you need to carry more stuff, at this present time? If you do, then you should go after the listing, otherwise thank Infinity for the lightned load, and wait with your hands open to receive The Infinite Bounty of the Universe.

Let me tell everyone else something about Gloria. She gave me info about a subdivision in her area, with no strings attached. She is a wonderful person through and through!

good for you. placing others needs before the $$$ is an outstanding effort on your part. hard to do, but it is nice to sleep at night with a clear consience. we are no better than our reputation, whether it is favorable or not, again you did good.

Gloria,

You have demonstrated to your customer that values doesn’t necessarily mean the price of a home but it also means measures of decency.

You are the embodiment of what our profession stands for: honesty and integrity.   As we know that no good deed ever goes unrewarded, you may not have gained an immediate listing but you have gained something more precious: respect.  To that man, your good name will echo to his circle of influence. Ant that is the best publicity one can ever get.

I am thankful to know that you are one of us, a Realtor®.

John

You did the right thing.  You showed great integrity.  You have every reason to be proud.  Don't ever hesitate to do the same thing again in a similar situation.

And you got to be featured!

Good job Gloria.  I just recommended that a customer stay in his home for awhile because of the flat market too!

Gloria,

It feels wrong because it goes against all the sales training you have had pounded into your head for years! It feels good because you did the right thing! You served your client and not yourself!

As John said, I am thankful to know you are truly one of us...a Realtor®.

I know just how you feel girlfriend.  I just sent a potential client back to an agent that has a familial link to my customer.  My website has been servicing her questions and needs for more than a month but he "sent" her my listing that she has viewed and asked questions of me about 5 times.

That little bit of integrity has cost me in the short term more than $7000 but in the long run I have fostered my reputation of integrity and honesty and I can sleep at night. I really like to be able to look at the "(wo)man in the mirror" and feel that I like what I see.

More money is printed every day but your self respect is a lot harder to recoup.