Special offer
Kevin Morris, Real Estate agent serving danville and surrounding (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodrick Realty)

Spam prevention
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Hi, Kevin.

     When I started in this business, I would sweep out garages, clean a bathroom, even mow a yard.  I truly believed I was doing what needed to be done to get the house sold. 

     Then one day the concept of "Opportunity Cost" hit me.   I could be marketing, farming, calling, doing those things that will bring $$$ commission checks to my pocket.  Instead, I was wasting valuable hours doing house-cleaning and yard work.

  

              Pay a trash-out company or cleaning service, and sell real estate instead!

Apr 26, 2016 08:19 AM
Ambassador
5,048,708
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Sounds like a nice gesture but I wouldn't think this is necessary, given it's an auction. And there might be better use of your time - Fred Griffin says it so well!

Apr 26, 2016 08:41 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,056
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Kevin Morris I needed to be at my desk to answer this. Why are YOU doing this? To be a good guy? Your colleague needs help? Your colleague can't afford to pay for help? If this is something that you are doing to be a good guy . . . and you're good at it . . . gather a crew and start hiring them out for pay as a second income stream. You will waste a LOT of 'real estate professional time' doing this and the saying 'do a job twice and it's yours' applies. You're a good guy, now be a smart guy.

Apr 26, 2016 10:30 AM
Rainmaker
5,005,333
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Fred Griffin said it best as well as Barbara Todaro !

Apr 26, 2016 10:02 AM
Rainer
69,794
Shawn and Angela Miller
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Amabassador Real Estate - Lincoln, NE
Lincoln and Omaha, NE REALTORS®

Depends, if the house is already trashed, no need to break your back cleaning it when it might only help the house bring in a few hundred bucks more at sale.  Most buyers going to auctions to buy a house know what to expect.

Apr 26, 2016 08:36 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

everyone who attends an auction expects the property to be trashed.... no cleaning up is necessary.... 

Apr 26, 2016 07:56 AM
Ambassador
6,392,889
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

It makes you a Good Person Kevin!

Apr 26, 2016 11:12 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,171
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Doesn't the bank have a clean out crew? If you're going to do REO's & such you should have someone available 24/7.

What Fred said, but you're a good friend I bet.

Apr 26, 2016 09:53 AM
Rainmaker
582,106
Eric Kodner
Madeline Island Realty - La Pointe, WI
CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -

At one point or another in your real estate career, you will pitch in and do what's necessary in order to get a listing sold or to assist a colleague. There's no shame in doing so and anyone who tells you they would never chip in or assist a seller in this way is probably not giving you the real story.

Apr 26, 2016 07:54 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Generally it would be up to the seller or bank to take care of it.

Sometimes we have to do something to maybe get something back or for me to know I did the right thing at the time.

Apr 26, 2016 08:02 AM
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

If it's going to auction, the buyer usually expects to have someone "trash out" the property. I wouldn't worry too much about what you decide.

Apr 26, 2016 07:40 AM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

Personally, I think your time would be better spent elsewhere.

However, helping a friend/co-worker IMO can never be considered sucker work!

Apr 27, 2016 01:20 AM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Kevin Morris You have lots of good advice here.  I will add consider your motive and your end goal.

Apr 26, 2016 11:25 AM
Rainmaker
2,707,721
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

That would be up to you to decide...but the listing should have had cleaning provided by the bank that had it up for auction!

Apr 26, 2016 10:30 AM
Ambassador
3,344,906
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

The answer would depend upon your motiviation to help. 

Apr 26, 2016 09:02 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

If she asked and you helped her, you are a terrific partner ( and not just a coworker) 

Apr 26, 2016 08:37 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,013
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Only you and her would know these details. Seek what is right & fair and the outcome is more certain

Apr 26, 2016 08:17 AM
Rainmaker
4,160,025
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Kevin Morris This is very good question.

Apr 26, 2016 08:17 AM
Ambassador
1,452,569
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I'm an Independent Contractor and therefore, have no co-workers!

Apr 26, 2016 06:11 AM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

No comments. 

Why not to help without thinking.

Dec 10, 2019 11:43 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Great question and the answers

Dec 10, 2019 11:15 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,806
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I don't know why it would make you a sucker. What goes around comes around and you never know when someone will pay you back with equal kindness.

Apr 27, 2016 07:45 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I think it makes you a good friend.

Apr 27, 2016 06:37 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,848
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Out here agents don't get paid on auctions (I'm thinking forclosures) and cleanliness doesn't matter.  If he's a friend, you're being a good friend.  If it's just a coworker, the word "chump" comes to mind.  Been there, done that.

Ask yourself "Did he ask the top producer for help and is the top producer there with a trash bag and windex?"

Apr 27, 2016 02:44 AM
Rainmaker
1,027,602
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

It sounds as if you are a kind, helpful person who is a good friend.  Is it a good use of your time?  There are too many variables to answer that question effectively.

Apr 27, 2016 01:15 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

The others have answered.

Apr 27, 2016 12:23 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Kevin Morris Fred Griffin said it best.

Apr 26, 2016 11:28 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

The fact that you are asking yourself this question suggests a lesson is in progress.

Now, I DO help those who need help.

If this co-worked NEEDED help, you RESPONDED to a deeper responsibiliy. Others may call you sucker, but your moral code may deliver a different message and present a different promise.

That which is freely offered from the heart never lives without reward.

 

Apr 26, 2016 11:02 PM
Rainmaker
823,579
Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL

I agree with Fred Griffin!

Apr 26, 2016 10:37 PM
Rainer
42,670
Fred Hafdelin
Weichert Realtors - Mountain Lakes, NJ

There is nothing wrong with helping someone out. If your helping her out did nothing but make her feel good it was time well spent. If your business does not afford you the time to help someone out maybe you are spending too much time chasing $$$. In my opinion you will not be a "sucker" of you help her out. What goes around comes around.

Apr 26, 2016 10:37 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It depends, will they help you on yours? Will they give you anything? Did you expect anything or just doing it as a good guy?

Apr 26, 2016 10:27 PM
Rainmaker
7,834,945
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

It is always good to pay it forward. 

 

Apr 26, 2016 10:03 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

What Fred Griffin said...

Apr 26, 2016 09:21 PM
Rainmaker
4,571,456
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Fred Griffin wins this one.  Again.  Go, Fred, Go!

Apr 26, 2016 09:01 PM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Kevin. Helping out a co-worker shouldn't be looked at as being a suck, but if someone takes advantage of your generosity, then it is time to stop.

Apr 26, 2016 05:25 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Kevin Morris - well, its always good to help someone....

Apr 26, 2016 02:53 PM
Rainmaker
713,282
Sharon Kowitz
CRS-SRES-ABR-GRI-E-Pro-CREN ~ COMPASS RE - Cary, NC
Cary, NC Relocation Specialist ~ Buying or Selling

Depends on what percent you got!

Apr 26, 2016 02:26 PM
Rainer
97,816
Carol Wilson
Your $imple Home - Toronto, ON

Others have given you the valuable things to weigh from a Realtor's perspective.  Here's something from the human being side:  If you have an inner hunch that you're being taken, or you feel annoyed or secretly unhappy about the request, then I suggest you pay close attention.  Friendship and reciprocation are excellent reasons to go the extra mile if it is someone with whom you can deepen and enrich the give and take between you, whether as colleagues or personal friends.  However, not everyone is into that and some will be quite happy to use you.  This is where the "personal decision" mentioned by others comes in.  Only you will know if you are being used, and your core will tell you with a growing sense of unease or anger.  Follow your gut.  It knows the truth, and you're worthy of the better outcome.  :  )

Apr 26, 2016 02:13 PM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

Sounds to me like you showed yourself to be friendly, cooperative and one with a Servant's Heart.  I wish you were in Kenosha!  

Apr 26, 2016 02:12 PM
Ambassador
1,026,893
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

Certainly not a sucker, but maybe not the best use of your time. There's not one of us (probably) who hasn't done something like this on our own listings, but you start getting sidetracked with other people's listings (and an auction at that) and there's no time to do what brings in your income. 

It's a great lesson . . . don't do it again 

Apr 26, 2016 01:55 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

A good co-worker.  And she'll owe you one.  It's always good when colleagues owe you one!

Apr 26, 2016 01:45 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

If you have the extra time why not help out but it might not be necessary or a better option would be to hire it done and spend your time looking for the buyer.

Apr 26, 2016 01:10 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Only you can make that decision

Apr 26, 2016 12:58 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,225
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Auction properties don't require cleaning,  so not a sucker, but unnecessary.

However, if you give it out in slices, it comes back in loaves.

Your call.

Apr 26, 2016 12:35 PM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

It makes you a really nice guy!

Apr 26, 2016 12:04 PM
Rainmaker
2,362,579
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

a good guy and a great friend.  However, I hope that she reciprocates 

Apr 26, 2016 12:03 PM
Rainmaker
3,340,443
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

A good heart and gentle person...and pleased to have you be a member of this community.

Apr 26, 2016 12:00 PM
Rainmaker
2,390,010
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I'm going to say it makes you a good Samaritan Kevin Morris 

Apr 26, 2016 11:57 AM
Rainer
321,564
Melissa Jackson REALTOR
Trinity Premier Properties - Azle, TX
Helping You Make The Right Move

Interesting question.  I agree there are other activities you could be doing for your business.  If it were a friend that needed help, I would help.  

Apr 26, 2016 11:18 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,801
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

You need to discuss in detail how to share that piece of pie.  I work with a couple very trust worthy realtors it is always shared.   But I have seen some of the most selfish jerks in industry who takes your leads with nothing in return.  If untested put it in writing. 

Apr 26, 2016 10:15 AM