Bad Blabbing.
When mom overheard gossiping she’d wag a finger saying, “Loose lips sink ships.” It was one of several random sayings that didn’t make sense as a kid. Later I learned what mom meant in my junior high history class.
The slogan was invented by the World War II Advertising council and plastered on posters as way to caution citizens and serviceman to avoid careless talk concerning secure information that might be of use to the enemy.
Wikipedia says that “the gist of this particular slogan was that one should avoid speaking of ship movements, as this talk (if directed at or overheard by covert enemy agents) might allow the enemy to intercept and destroy the ships.”
Mom grew up in San Diego during the World War II era and used the phrase as another way of saying that bad blabbing could cause big problems. Wise advice then and now, especially in a rebounding real estate market.
Mum’s the word.
When I hear agents shooting their mouth off blabbing broadcasting about the contract they’re going to write, I cringe and repeat after my mom, ”Loose lips sink ships!” Then I explain what I mean. Let me explain.
Rebounding real estate markets are budding and blooming across the country. Qualified buyers with very specific criteria are beginning flock. Quality listing inventory is thin, the-good-stuff sells quickly. Whether you’ve show twenty-seven homes or two, finally finding the perfect property for your buyers is thrilling. The desire to blab share your good fortune with colleagues as you breeze through the office hallway, grab a hot cup of break-room-coffee, share a smoke or shout what’s-ups across a room full of cubicles is natural and tempting. Don’t do it!
This is where “Loose lips sink ships!” comes in. When you flap your gums make an announcement about the offer you’re going to submit on 127 Woodlands Way you’re actually proclaiming to the world:
Listen up buyers agents! If you represent buyers interested in 127 Woodlands Way, I’m about to sell it out from under you and your buyers!
No good can come from an announcement like that. Everyone and their slow cousin knows that multiple offer competition will drive the price up. By broadcasting our intentions to others, we may position the buyers who hired us in no-win situation.
If agents who hear the broadcast represent a buyer who has expressed an interest in 127 Woodlands Way, aren’t they obligated to contact their buyer client to let them know? It’s their duty to make the call, fill their buyer clients in and ask them if they want to submit an offer of their own. Pronto.
When a a hurtful multiple offer competition for the buyers who hired you to help them. Carless conversation can cost your clients money or equally bad, they could be outbid and lose out on the property entirely.
When working on offers let’s remember, “Loose lips sink ships!” Mums the word until the signatures are secure and the digital ink is dry.
Cheers and thanks for reading. If I can be helpful > Ken Brand 832-797-1779
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