As a Realtor there is a catch 22 to being honest. If you are totally honest with a buyer or seller, you run the risk of them getting mad at you. If you tell them what they want to hear, you might not be successful with a closing.
This weekend I was called out to visit with two sellers who have not been able to sell their houses. In both cases they have been trying for over a year to sell their houses. The listings had expired and they really wanted to sell. One seller lived in Colorado and the other out of Minneapolis. They could not figure out why the property had not sold. The answer was in front of them but no one was putting their face in it. The houses were over-priced. One seller sent me the feedback they had been getting and one after another said it was priced too high.
Listing agents if they want to close on the house and get paid need to be honest with their sellers. If you let the listing play out and no offer is accepted, guess what, another agent will come along and get paid. When you are the second or third agent to meet with a seller, you run little risk of offending them. They are on the ground begging for help at that point.
I take the stance to be honest to all parties at all times. In the end you will be appreciated for taking the honest approach. It is better to keep your nose short than grown a long nose because you have lied.
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