08/10/2026
I LOST THE LISTING.
Yep. I said it. I lost the listing.
And I’m sharing this because REAL ESTATE IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT YOU SEE ON TV OR SOCIAL MEDIA.
It’s not always the “JUST SOLD!” sign, the smiling closing-table pictures, big commission checks, new listings, and handing over keys.
There’s another side of real estate that people don’t always see.
Deals fall apart.
Buyers walk away.
Sellers get frustrated.
Financing changes.
Inspections uncover problems.
Agents lose listings.
And sometimes you can do your job and STILL not get the outcome you wanted.
This was one of those times.
When I first met with the seller, I recommended a price based on what I believed the market supported. The seller wanted to list higher, and ultimately, we listed at the price they were comfortable with.
We had activity. We had showings. We had offers.
One buyer and the seller couldn’t come to terms, so the buyer moved on. Another buyer needed more flexibility with the closing timeframe, and unfortunately, that deal didn’t come together either.
As time passed, the seller became frustrated and felt I wasn’t bringing the right buyer to the table. Eventually, our listing agreement was terminated.
Another agent took the listing…and they got an offer.
Now THAT can mess with you if you let it.
I could have immediately thought, “What did they do that I didn’t do?” or “Maybe I failed.”
But I had to remind myself of something I already know:
TIMING IS EVERYTHING IN REAL ESTATE.
The market can change.
A new buyer can enter the market.
Circumstances can change.
And sometimes the right buyer simply shows up at the right time.
Could I have done some things differently? Absolutely.
I’m experienced enough to know that I can always learn, adjust, and become better.
But I’m also experienced enough to know that every deal that doesn’t close and every listing that doesn’t sell with ME does not mean I failed.
The market is the market.
Price matters.
Timing matters.
Terms matter.
Condition matters.
Buyer motivation matters.
Seller expectations matter.
And sometimes ALL of those things have to line up at the same time.
So while social media may show you the SOLD signs, the keys, the celebrations and the wins…
REAL real estate will also teach you how to handle disappointment, difficult conversations, rejection, lost income, and starting over.
I didn’t lose my ability.
I didn’t lose my knowledge.
I didn’t lose my value.
I lost a listing.
There’s a difference.
And I’m okay with telling that side of the story too.
Because if I’m going to show you my WINS, I shouldn’t be afraid to show you some of my LOSSES.
That’s real estate.
That’s business.
And most importantly…that’s GROWTH. ❤️
