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Tammy Lankford,, Broker  GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville (Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668)

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Rainer
150,416
Michael Thacker - Re/Max Real Estate Center - Louisville
Re/Max Real Estate Center - The Thacker Group - Louisville, KY
Your best friend who just happens to be a Realtor

Tammy Lankford my suggestion is to be true to yourself, and just tell your clients that it makes you uncomfortable to talk about, and leave it there. If you look them in the eyes, and say it with true sincerity, how can they fault you.

Oct 12, 2015 06:44 PM
Rainmaker
139,949
Gilbert Real Estate Experts: Colby & Michele Myers
Flat Fee Etc. Real Estate - Gilbert, AZ

I always just tell them that I don't venture down that road because it always offends someone.  They usually agree with me.  

Oct 12, 2015 05:07 PM
Rainmaker
400,356
Jill Murty, Realtor - Orange County, CA
Movoto - Laguna Niguel, CA

If it's apparent we agree on things, I'll have the discussion.

If it's apparent that we don't agree on things, I'll avoid it and say I just won't go there.  If necessary, I'll say my broker prohibits it.

I know you're the broker so I'm sure that helps not at all. 

Oct 12, 2015 04:45 PM
Rainer
68,845
Sandra Graves
Keller Williams Realty - Folsom, CA
Realtor

I'll listen to what they have to say but I'll leave my opinion out of the conversation. I'm always interested to hear how other people feel about certain topics.

Oct 13, 2015 04:12 PM
Rainmaker
1,661,936
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

 I don't have a problem talking religion with anyone but do shy away from politics.  

Oct 12, 2015 11:22 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Tammy,

I like Michael Thacker 's answer. A

Oct 12, 2015 11:21 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,482
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I usually chuckle and say those are two subjects that are taboo, and change the subject.  

Oct 12, 2015 10:54 PM
Rainer
112,947
Vera Gonzalez
RE/MAX Suburban, Inc. - Sterling Heights, MI
Gonzo For Real Estate

Tell them it is against your religion to talk about politics. 

Oct 12, 2015 10:50 PM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

That we are here for real estate not my personal feelings on the subject.

There is a time and a place for each subject!

Oct 12, 2015 10:19 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I have friends who follow different religions so if they talk about religion I tell the about my friends and what I learned from them. 

Oct 12, 2015 10:09 PM
Rainmaker
637,434
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

As far as I'm concerned, it's nobody's business how I feel about religion or politics in a work environment. I don't even talk about it with friends. You always end up ticking someone off. So how about, "once we have found you that home/sold your home, let's sit down over a glass of wine and have those discussions. For now, let's get the job done." Which you then won't do; what's the point? Then maybe find another topic that you can discuss like football, baseball, tennis, golf or any other sport.

Oct 12, 2015 10:05 PM
Rainmaker
2,817,671
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

I often tell them that I ignore politics...it's too annoying and frustrating no matter where you stand.

Oct 12, 2015 09:27 PM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

I avoid it like the plague.  I have very strong opinions about both 

Oct 12, 2015 08:54 PM
Rainmaker
2,362,942
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Laugh and change the topic - make a pleasant joke out of their determination to talk about it. 

Oct 12, 2015 08:33 PM
Rainmaker
846,475
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Quickly point out a building or even a beautiful flowering tree and start discusiing it. I am getting so fed up with the circus i could spit!

Oct 12, 2015 08:00 PM
Rainer
274,059
Curtis Evans
Cabin Realty LLC/ USA, Licensed in Louisiana - Golden Meadow, LA

if you agree, fine, if not change the subject.

Oct 12, 2015 07:53 PM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good Tuesday morning Tammy. I consider myself an equal opportunity offender. I break all of the taboos. – LOL

Oct 12, 2015 05:59 PM
Ambassador
6,393,154
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Depends on whether I agree with them or not.

Oct 30, 2018 08:22 PM
Rainmaker
1,390,113
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Change the subject.

Oct 14, 2015 08:44 AM
Rainmaker
466,695
Katina Hargrove 352-551-0308
Stake Your Land Realty, Inc. - Eustis, FL
Broker/Owner, SFR®, e-PRO®, GRI, AHWD, REALTOR®

Tammy,

I have no problem discussing with customers if they want to know that I believe in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. When it comes to politics, they have the right to express their opinion and I change the subject to the home or property. Neither subject comes up very often.

Oct 14, 2015 01:16 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Depends on their views!  So far it has only happened with friends of mine who share my views, so it was fine.  Strangers?  Yeah, I'd go with "I don't discuss politics or religion with clients."

Oct 13, 2015 11:42 AM
Rainer
28,413
Blanca Barajas
Winter Group - Las Vegas, NV

I tell them that specialize in real estate not politics or religion, and then continue with whatever we were doing.

Oct 13, 2015 08:45 AM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

I usually change the subject.

Oct 13, 2015 08:02 AM
Rainmaker
856,021
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

I try to switch subject immediately.  After a couple times if they do not get the picture I tell them that discussion of either makes me uneasy while doing my job.  Mark

Oct 13, 2015 07:39 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,163
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I have an inflatable ear that can go to twice its size. I then have mastered the following. Wow, how true, really,  amazing, and that's a mouthful type little comments that I insert here and there indicating I am listening. A good listener fares well...always. It's when you talk, the trouble starts

Oct 13, 2015 07:38 AM
Rainmaker
699,277
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

Agree with everything they say.  Buyers are liars so why not agents?

Oct 13, 2015 03:31 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Tammy Lankford it's like any other objection buster - short answer, perhaps so ambiguous that they don't know our 'choice' and move on to 'next'!

And even if that continues, be BOLD and say, this is something that is not important for our 'mission'!

Let's talk real estate.

Oct 13, 2015 02:31 AM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

I would just tell this person that I don't discuss these topics with clients!

Oct 13, 2015 12:57 AM
Ambassador
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Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I'm not a big fan of mixing religion and politics in business but, if you must, I lean toward the questioning approach as suggested by Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 . You can respond with things like... "Interesting.  I'll have to give that more thought." And, then move on to the subject at hand... real estate.    

Oct 12, 2015 11:28 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

In NH politcis is a big thing with our first in the nation primary. There is not too many people not talking about it. 99 out of 100 NH residents can discuss the issues without shoving 1 candidtae down the others throats. 

Oct 12, 2015 10:43 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Can you or will you work with someone you don't like?
NO - change the topic immediately until they find another agent.
YES - Keep asking them questions and keep THEM talking.

EXAMPLE:

Home buyer: "I can't stand Obamacare! I will vote for anyone who will get rid of it. How do you feel?"

AGENT: "It is an interesting story how Obamacare became law. Who would you vote for if you voted today?"

Oct 12, 2015 09:26 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

I focus just on on real estate. I really do not care what religion, sex preference.  I work with those who want to work with me....

 

Oct 12, 2015 03:07 PM