Let\u2019s be honest\u2014losing a listing to another REALTOR\u00ae doesn\u2019t feel great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You prepared. You put together your market analysis. You explained your marketing plan. Maybe you even spent hours getting everything ready for the appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then you find out the seller chose someone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ouch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your first thought might be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWait\u2026 why didn\u2019t they pick me?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n And while it\u2019s completely normal to be curious, there\u2019s one thing you probably shouldn\u2019t do: pick up the phone and ask the seller why they chose another agent.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Once a seller has entered into an exclusive agreement with another REALTOR\u00ae, contacting them directly to question that decision can create an ethical issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Article 16 of the NAR Code of Ethics is designed to protect existing client relationships and prevent REALTORS\u00ae from interfering with another REALTOR\u00ae\u2019s exclusive representation. Standard of Practice 16-13 provides additional guidance on these situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In other words, even if your intentions are innocent, that \u201cquick feedback call\u201d can cross a line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And let’s face it\u2014there\u2019s also a good chance that a conversation that starts with \u201cI\u2019d love some feedback\u201d<\/em> turns into \u201cHere\u2019s why I would have been a better choice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s when things can get messy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You don’t necessarily need to ask the seller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes the answer isn’t that you did anything wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe the other REALTOR\u00ae was a friend of the family. Maybe they received a referral. Maybe the seller simply connected with them better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not every lost listing is a failure.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank the seller for considering you. Wish them well. Then move on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep building relationships. Keep improving your listing presentation. Keep showing potential clients why you’re the REALTOR\u00ae they should want in their corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And if that former client reaches out to you later? That’s a different conversation\u2014but make sure you understand whether they’re still under an exclusive agreement before providing services or discussing the transaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTake a Step Back<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
So How Do You Get Better?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Take the High Road<\/h3>\n\n\n\n