Oh #@!!, No. It infuriates me to watch those Real Estate commercials that guarantee a smooth, easy, stress free transaction if you just use their services. We all shoot for that lofty goal. Sometimes it actually happens, but to guarantee it is, at best, a vast oversimplification. They can more guarantee a smooth, easy closing than I can guarantee stock market returns or picking a lottery winner and no one honest will tell you that. Unfortunately, if you believed the commercial, you’re already signed up with them when you learn the truth. You’re stuck for the period of the contract.
A good Realtor will ALWAYS tell you the truth as he sees it, prepares you for what could happen and guides you through the process, in lock-step with you. Not snow you over with platitudes and false promises. The other side of the transaction is maneuvering for their best deal, as is the bank financing the deal or the Federal/State/Local Government regulating the deal. Realtors are more like a harbor pilot guiding your ship to safe harbor, than a wizard waving his wand at all obstacles. And like the harbor pilot, we’re right there on the bridge with you, come what may.
Marketing, showings, availability of the property, prepping the property for listing, packing, moving, staging are all potential points of stress for anyone planning the sale of a property. Offers, perhaps multiple offers at once, the home inspection results, P&S negotiations, Appraisals and financing regulations are all stressors that can come fast and furious in the transaction process. That’s not even considering the emotional and family logistics concerns both buyers and sellers have to navigate throughout the process. We’re trained to help you through all that and more.
A Real Estate transaction is inherently a chaotic and stressful process. A good Realtor can, absolutely NOT, guarantee an easy, smooth and stress-free transaction. Anyone who does is just trying to sell you something. Keep that in mind.
With that truth in mind, The National Association of Realtors is announcing a new advertising plan that actually tells you the truth. Real Estate is hard. Realtors are trained and drilled through years of experience to navigate rough waters successfully. Realtors are also held to a higher standard. Check out the Code of Ethics we have to follow and are held accountable to. No secrets here. It’s a public document. Here’s the link that anyone can access:
https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/2024-12/2025-COE-Standards-of-Practice-2024-12-24.pdf
Here’s a link to the article about the new NAR ad campaign, called “Right by You”:
https://www.nar.realtor/magazine/real-estate-news/nar-new-right-by-you-campaign-how-hard-could-it-be
To paraphrase a quote from the most quotable movie of all time, The Princess Bride, Real Estate can be complex and stressful….”Anyone who tells you differently is selling you something.” Totally unrelated: If you haven’t seen The Princess Bride, It’s really a “must see” movie.
Have Fun!
Lew McConkey, Realtor/Notary
Brook Realty, Serving Whitman Hanson & Surrounding Towns
(781)252-9789
If you have questions about your place in the current Real Estate market, as a buyer, seller or Landlord,
Please feel free to call text or email for your free, no obligation consultation.