REALTORSPEAK

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

After nearly 4 months, it is dawning on me that you cannot take a realtor at face value. They speak the English language completely differently than we do. Here are some examples of what they say, and what it means.

"There have been a ton of showings": There has been more than 1 showing per week.

"We expect an offer soon": Don't fire me.

"There hasn't been any negative feedback on your house": I haven't talked to the other realtors about your house yet.

"We are in good shape for the selling season": I don't want to do anything else for you.

"We are priced right": You are the cheapest house on the market.

"The buyer is qualified": The buyer is breathing and we know how to contact him.

"Your house shows well": You clean your house well before showings.

"We are getting a lot of interest": Don't fire me.

"Your dogs are adorable": Your dogs have not bitten anyone during showings.

"They want to make a contingent offer": They like your house.

I think sometimes they are pulling our legs about progress, but then other times I don't think they can help this communication style. Maybe they get molded by us anxious sellers, who, in the absence of a contract, need belief in something.

Or perhaps they are born this way. As children their parents told them to clean their rooms, and they shoved all their stuff in the closet, shut the door, and then told their parents it was covered. Or when asked what grade they got, they would say they passed, instead of saying "I got a C." Just skirting things for the looks of it. Not really lying, but just not exactly all true.