Michelle Flaherty

By Michelle Flaherty

A couple weeks ago, I received an e-mail from a person I didn’t know.  The person was inquiring on a property that another broker in my office had listed, and they wanted to set up an appointment to view it.

So I did a few things I almost always do before I meet a new prospective client.  First, I Googled them.  If a person’s name and e-mail/phone number they contacted me from is nowhere to be found on the Internet, it’s not an automatic red flag, but it’s not helpful either. Next, I Facebook searched this person — not to learn anything personal, but just to see a photo and if we have any mutual friends. In this case, nothing turned up. Finally, because I didn’t know who I was meeting, I brought my team member along with me… who also happens to be my father.

I could tell during the showing that the customer was bothered by my father’s presence.  Their comments and demeanor implied that they knew exactly why my father was there, and was offended by my lack of trust. Sensing the customer’s discomfort, my anxiety level became elevated as well. Elevated heart rate, pit in my stomach, the whole bit. As it turned out, the property wasn’t a fit for this person. Whether or not he was well-meaning , I’ll never know. This person never called me again, and I never followed up. The potential business didn’t seem worth recreating the awkwardness of that showing. Continue reading »