The Golden Rule in Real Estate: Treating Others As You’d Want to Be Treated

In the fast-paced world of real estate, it's easy to forget that behind every transaction are real people with real lives, hopes, and challenges. The age-old wisdom of "treat others as you'd like to be treated" remains as relevant as ever in our industry, while Jordan Peterson adds an important modern corollary: "be sure to treat yourself as you treat others." These principles should guide every interaction in real estate, whether you're buying, selling, or facilitating transactions.

Recently, I heard about a real estate broker who showed up unannounced at a client's home during dinner time, pounding on the door to show the property. While the desire to make a sale is understandable, this approach crosses important boundaries. We must remember that sellers are people first, clients second. Their homes are not just properties – they're spaces where families live, eat, rest, and make memories.

The popular saying "the customer is always right" has perhaps done more harm than good in our industry. While we should strive for excellent service, this mindset can lead to unreasonable expectations and disregard for other parties involved in transactions. Real estate dealings require balance, respect, and understanding from all sides.

This becomes particularly evident in the lending process. As professionals, we understand that banks may sometimes need additional time beyond initial estimates, and we make sure to explain this to our sellers. However, there's a vast difference between reasonable delays and unnecessary ones that can severely impact people's lives.

Years ago, I encountered a situation that still serves as a powerful reminder of why empathy matters in our industry. A buyer, knowing their seller's circumstances, showed complete indifference when their bank took 4-6 weeks longer than contracted. The seller was a single mother with six children who had been forced to move from their family home after her husband abandoned them, relocating to another state. She had made the responsible decision to sell, knowing she couldn't afford to keep the house, and was already making do in a two-bedroom home with her large family. Despite knowing these circumstances, the buyer made no effort to expedite the process with their bank, showing a troubling lack of empathy.

This situation, though from the past, raises a crucial question that remains relevant today: How do we transform such negative experiences into positive change in our industry? While we can't control others' actions, we can hold ourselves accountable to higher standards. Here's what we can do:

Respect boundaries and privacy. Always schedule showings in advance and be mindful of family time.
Communicate clearly about timelines and potential delays. When issues arise, address them promptly and transparently.
Remember the human element in every transaction. Behind every contract is a family's story, hopes, and needs.
Hold all parties accountable, including ourselves. While the customer isn't always right, we all have a responsibility to act with integrity.

In the auction sector of real estate, I've found that this approach aligns perfectly with our principles of fairness and transparency. Auctions provide a level playing field where all buyers have the same opportunity, and sellers know exactly what to expect. The process is clear, the timeline is fixed, and everyone plays by the same rules.

As we move forward in our industry, let's remember that treating others as we'd want to be treated isn't just good ethics – it's good business. When we approach real estate transactions with empathy and respect, we create better experiences for everyone involved. We can't always control outcomes, but we can control how we conduct ourselves and treat others along the way.

The next time you're involved in a real estate transaction, take a moment to consider how you'd feel in the other party's shoes. Would you want someone showing up unannounced during your family dinner? Would you want someone dragging their feet on financing while you're struggling to make ends meet? These simple perspective shifts can make a world of difference in how we approach our work and treat our clients.

In real estate, as in life, we're all connected in a web of transactions and relationships. By treating others with the respect and consideration we'd want for ourselves, we not only create better business practices but also contribute to building a more compassionate and understanding community.