I'm having a problem with a rental property. My tenant doesn't seem to find it important to pay her rent; go figure. I've been managing my own rental properties for 14 years now and rarely run into this problem, believe it or not. I've arrogantly attributed my success with my rental properties to my sweet disposition and the respectful attitude I take with my tenants.

But, alas, my nearly-perfect track record is shot. Darnit.

It's been stressing me out something awful. I'm losing sleep, I'm losing money and I finally lost my patience (took long enough!).

So, I decided to find someone to help me evict my tenant. I called two management companies. The first started off our conversation telling me how difficult it is to evict a tenant in Alabama, due to a new law passed last year. She warned me how expensive and time-consuming it would be. Great. Just what I needed to hear. I grew a few new gray hairs.

But the second company -- ahhhh -- the second. The guy I spoke to took me by the hand (figuratively, of course) and told me he'd take care of it. He does this all the time, you see. He works with a lot of long-distance landlords and it's very common for tenants to take advantage of the situation. "But don't you worry, Jennifer, once the tenant knows you have a local company managing the situation, they'll either pay up or move out. We'll get that notice on the door today and you'll either have your rent in ten days, or we'll take the next steps to get the tenant out of there. Just fax me your lease agreement and the details of what she owes you and we'll handle it from there."

My entire body relaxed. I didn't realize HOW stressed out I was about the situation until someone relieved me of it. Time will tell if my warm fuzzies toward my new property manager are justified, but for now, I'm thrilled.

How does this relate to our business? Well, when someone calls you wanting you to help them find a home or sell the house they're living in; do you take a Can Do attitude? Or do you immediately launch into a disclaimer, of sorts, as to how difficult it will be, how frustrating it will be, how time-consuming, how -- whatever? I know I do that sometimes, seriously! I can't seem to help myself - maybe I'm just showing off how knowledgeable I am, or maybe I'm even a wee bit insecure myself about my ability to help!

Yes, our business is frustrating and difficult and often seemingly impossible. But let's try a new approach. The next time someone contacts us asking for help (assuming we want to help), let's start out by assuring them that WE CAN TAKE CARE OF IT. Not only will this relieve their stress, it may even give US the confidence and the motivation to actually -- well -- TAKE CARE OF IT.

I CAN HELP!

Published: January 5, 2009

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Jennifer Allan is the author of Sell with Soul: Creating an Extraordinary Career in Real Estate without Losing Your Friends, Your Principles or Your Self-Respect, as well as a number of eBooks including The Seduction of Your SOI: Generating Business and Referrals from the Very Important People Who Know You, Dorky Announcement Letters - DEDORKED! and For Sale Signs Don't Pay the Bills. Jennifer began her writing career after ten years of selling real estate successfully in Denver, Colorado. She was dismayed at the low level of professionalism she frequently encountered in the real estate industry and, with her "soulful" message, hopes to encourage the real estate community to self-correct the negative stereotypes of the profession. Jennifer's message is that agents should strive to be competent real estate advisors instead of simply competent real estate prospectors. That agents should respect the intelligence of their clients, rather than attempt to insult that intelligence with aggressive closing techniques. She preaches that agents should appreciate the significant commissions paid by their clients, rather than complain that they, themselves, are not appreciated. Her personal mantra is "The clients I have today are far more important to me than the ones I hope to have tomorrow." She is a regular contributor to several real estate newsletters and magazines, a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame and one of the industry's most popular bloggers. You can learn more about Jennifer's "soulful" philosophies at SellWithSoul.com.  Subscribe to  The Daily Seduction Tips & Inspirations to Generate Business and Referrals from The Very Important People Who Know You  Your Email Address: Your Name: