How Did the Frog Bounce in My Mouth? Or, Do You Want to Understand What Your Realtor Just Said?

How much confusion can occur if we don’t communicate clearly?  I was reminded of this last night during a conversation with my five-year old.

Last night my son said to me, “Mom, am I losing my voice?”

“It sounds like you may be.”

“Mom, why do I sound like this?”

I told him, “You have a frog in your throat.”

How did my five-year old son with a very literalist bent react? He became very concerned and somewhat agitated.  ”Mom, how did he bounce in my mouth?”

He truly believed that he had swallowed a frog, and it was lodged in his throat.

My son constantly reminds me how important it is to make sure people truly understand what I say.  My son doesn’t understand similes, metaphors, etc. – though he does recognize sarcasm – go figure : )

Every day, I discuss many important aspects of buying and selling homes with my clients.  I try hard to remember that they don’t know what an LTV (loan to value) is or a HUD-1 (an estimated closing statement) or a BPO (broker price opinion) or a 442 (document from appraiser stating work has been completed).

How important is it that you work with someone who can explain to you what is going on in your real estate transaction in layman’s terms, in words that you can understand?

When I communicate with my clients, I often ask them if they understand what I’ve said, and if they don’t I take the time to explain it a little differently.

Buying and selling your house is important.  Don’t you deserve a real estate consultant who will take the time to make sure you understand the process?