Property Point

At first glance you might think there are very few similarities between movie stars, models and real estate agents. There is a photo of a real estate agent with this column that might help you make a visual assessment of that proposition.

It is true that if you go by the touched-up photos of some real estate agents you could well be filled with excited anticipation, or a daunting feeling of inadequacy, as you wait for them to arrive to do an appraisal at your place.

The reality can be quite different. “My God (he/she) doesn’t look anything like their photo!”

Note to real estate agents: under-promise and over-deliver with everything, including your photos. (“Gee, you’re much better-looking than your photo?”). I’m yet to find a photographer bad enough to create that sensation but it will be a game-changer when I do.

But despite the apparent differences between Hollywood actors, models and real estate agents, there is one clear similarity: having to deal with rejection.

I imagine that if you are an actor or a model and you miss out on the gig, the feeling of rejection is quite palpable. You’d take it personally.

Rejection for an actor would feel personal; it was something about you, your acting, your  appearance. They decided they didn’t like how you act, the thing you have dedicated your life and energy to.

It would be similar for a model: you missed out because you were too fat, too short, not good-looking enough. There is nothing else to blame. It was personal, they didn’t like you.

But for those actors and models there is nothing else to do but get up, dust yourself off, put a smile on your face and get on with it. Where’s the next casting call, the next audition?

For real estate agents, rejection is a visitor that can arrive after you have done appraisal. You hope it doesn’t and the call from a seller saying “we’ve decided to go with you” is the most pleasing in real estate because nothing happens unless you get that call.

But all agents, no matter how good, have missed out on getting the listing after doing an appraisal. We’ve all had the feeling of rejection. And it’s always tough.

The temptation is to take it personally, to think about it and dwell on it, allow it to drag you down. Wallow in it.

Or bounce back. Get moving. Focus on finding buyers for the listings you do have. Getting a sale is a terrific pick-me-up.

Learn lessons if there are lessons to be learned from the rejection but move on with your job and life. Stay positive, be you. Believe in yourself and be the best you can be. The clients who have chosen you need you to be up and about, at your best. So you move on.

Of course you, the seller, need feel no guilt about handing out rejection. It’s your job to decide and there can only be one agent so someone has to go.

You should properly weigh up whether you are going to be able to easily work with a particular agent and whether you believe that agent can get you the best price, but make the decision and move on guilt-free.

Facing rejection is a fact of life for real estate agents and if they can’t deal with it they are in the wrong business. It’s not your fault the decision didn’t go their way.

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