How important is communication?

Be it in your marriage or acting as an agent for a buyer or seller communication is important, but how important? Many arguments within marriages are due to bad communication, mis-communication or lack of communication. Likewise in a real estate deal most problems can be solved through communicating effectively, making sure everyone understands what is happening and when.

Bad news is never good to relay, but it is often necessary for a buyer and especially a seller to hear what is happening, but also to keep your fellow agent on the other side informed is important. I am in the middle of a deal where because of an appraiser we at the last moment having to jump through lots of hoops to get a mortgage approved. I just had a compliment from the agent for the seller that she appreciates whatever news I have I relay it, good or bad. So often people don't want to appear dumb because they cannot give an answer, but sometimes there is no answer due to external circumstances and letting the agent and seller or buyer on the other side of the deal know this helps to smooth the waters and possibly keep a deal on track.

In today's market with underwriters requiring more and more information issues arise often at the last moment and these need to be dealt with and with good communication you can often have more hands helping to resolve the situation than working against each other.

So please, even if you don't have any news, let the other agent and principal in the deal know because that is news in it self and it just may help you later. I know there are many agents I look forward to working with because they communicate often and clearly what is going on and if there are any issues that need resolving. If you are looking for an agent to represent you consider how well they communicate, it really is important.