Open Forum

There is an existential question that goes something like this: If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to witness it, does it make a sound?  Similarly, if we are processing a real estate transaction and don't have written support for numbers or changes, did it happen? 

Though most of our records are kept digitally now, we still need to have written support for every number on our settlement statement and written confirmation of any changes to the contract. What could once be ratified with a handshake now requires written back up.  I've often asked for written confirmation of information received in a phone call, and throughout my career I've sorted and saved emails for support should I need it. 

Every record album (back when we played albums!) has a flip side, however.  My mother was on a newspaper staff in the 1950s.  She taught us not to write anything we wouldn't want to see in the newspaper.  Today, that would be any email, social media post, tweet, or any other form of written communication. 

I had an experience early in my career where a superior emailed me with instructions about something I knew how to do.  I was not thrilled about being micromanaged, so I forwarded her email to a co-worker and said, "Man, I wish I had a Voodoo doll!"  Well, at least that was my intention.  But instead of forwarding the email, I'd hit reply, and the email went right back to my supervisor! My career could've been a lot shorter if not for the intervention of another department head. 

Ultimately, we do need to confirm information in writing.  We also need to be judicious about what we write.  The written word can be support or ammunition, and we should use it wisely. 

LIFE LESSON 

Watch what you put in writing. Email is forever! 

Sandi Donaldson 
Lead Trainer 
Real Estate Closing Path 

There is an existential question that goes something like this: If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to witness it, does it make a sound?  Similarly, if we are processing a real estate transaction and don't have written support for numbers or changes, did it happen? 

Though most of our records are kept digitally now, we still need to have written support for every number on our settlement statement and written confirmation of any changes to the contract. What could once be ratified with a handshake now requires written back up.  I've often asked for written confirmation of information received in a phone call, and throughout my career I've sorted and saved emails for support should I need it. 

Every record album (back when we played albums!) has a flip side, however.  My mother was on a newspaper staff in the 1950s.  She taught us not to write anything we wouldn't want to see in the newspaper.  Today, that would be any email, social media post, tweet, or any other form of written communication. 

I had an experience early in my career where a superior emailed me with instructions about something I knew how to do.  I was not thrilled about being micromanaged, so I forwarded her email to a co-worker and said, "Man, I wish I had a Voodoo doll!"  Well, at least that was my intention.  But instead of forwarding the email, I'd hit reply, and the email went right back to my supervisor! My career could've been a lot shorter if not for the intervention of another department head. 

Ultimately, we do need to confirm information in writing.  We also need to be judicious about what we write.  The written word can be support or ammunition, and we should use it wisely. 

LIFE LESSON 

Watch what you put in writing. Email is forever! 

Sandi Donaldson 
Lead Trainer 
Real Estate Closing Path