The Wolf

“Pretty please with sugar on top” – The Wolf. Great scene from the movie, Pulp Fiction. If you haven’t seen the flick, The Wolf played by Harvey Keitel, is a “Cleaner”. The Cleaners job is to handle the messes. Sometimes, the Wolf found it was better to play nicely than to get into a fight which could make everything worse.

The Wolf handling panicking problems with extreme cool is part of my job. Last week, one of our agents called me up in an early morning panic. Problem was that his buyer dilly dallied with getting an HOA application in on time. The board wasn’t meeting for a few weeks which was past the time of closing. I told our agent, “Why don’t you just have the Seller and the listing agent talk to the HOA”. Our agent said that they hope it doesn’t close because they have a back up offer for more dollars. Houston, we have a problem!

Our agent was asking about getting a lawyer involved and exerting pressure. I said to our agent, did you ever see the movie, “Tommy Boy”. Tommy Boy told a sob story to a waitress at a restaurant. Tommy want wingy. The waitress felt bad and turned on the grill. Our agent took my advice, got some donuts, and put on the charm. Sure enough, the approval came through that day.

There are other places where being a nice guy is best in getting things you want past the finished line – when just living in your home or when you sell. Here are nine niceties.

1. The Husband Listening 60-30-15 Strategy

This also has a double benefit of saving your marriage so pay attention. When the other side is angry, you don’t have a chance if you attempt to talk first. It usually takes 3 sessions for the other person to get out what they need to say. The first seethe goes on for a minute. The second outburst is the same stuff but it’s a half version. The last rant is just an exhausting 10 second breath. Only then can you talk and work on solving the problem.

2. Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Buyers should give their neighbors a cookie cake and introduce themselves. Residents should really do the same to the new neighbor. Not only is it nice and neighborly but good relations solve all sorts of problems. If you want to paint a side of the fence or put up something that is questionable, being on good terms with your neighbor ahead of schedule will solve a lot of future problems.

3. Improve their property

If you ever want to improve your property, think about taking care of their property with an improvement. I tell people who need to put in a hedge for privacy, to offer to just pay for the whole thing. Why get in a dispute in which they will never pay?

4. I need your help

I’ve used this line with other agents, HOA’s, title companies, insurance outfits, and mortgage brokers. If there is a problem, asking to put their heads together to help solve a problem is often better than taking a hammer to them.

5. Champagne and a tearjerker note

Sellers should leave a bottle of champagne and a genuine note about the house and the great memories. Again, a nice thing to do. If there is a problem at the closing table, I assure you one of the Buyers spouses won’t let it get out of hand.

6. No Texting

Pick up the phone and just listen and have a nice conversation. Be careful of over texting. People are hotter and can hide behind the phone.

7. Talk through the agents

Buyers and Sellers should never get together. It might start out ok, but it won’t end up ok.

8. Sleep on it

Watch Pulp Fiction or Tommy Boy and remember to laugh. You’ll answer better in the morning.

9. Don’t sweat the small stuff

Do you really need that old fridge in the garage? I didn’t think so. Once the transaction is over, you’re probably never going to see the other side again. You won’t remember why you were fighting so hard. Plus, if you blow the deal, you are going to need a lot more seconds than the 60-30-15 rule when your lovey-dovey doesn’t become so lovey.