Hi, Kevin.

     When I started in this business, I would sweep out garages, clean a bathroom, even mow a yard.  I truly believed I was doing what needed to be done to get the house sold. 

     Then one day the concept of "Opportunity Cost" hit me.   I could be marketing, farming, calling, doing those things that will bring $$$ commission checks to my pocket.  Instead, I was wasting valuable hours doing house-cleaning and yard work.

              Pay a trash-out company or cleaning service, and sell real estate instead!

Sounds like a nice gesture but I wouldn't think this is necessary, given it's an auction. And there might be better use of your time - Fred Griffin says it so well!

Kevin Morris I needed to be at my desk to answer this. Why are YOU doing this? To be a good guy? Your colleague needs help? Your colleague can't afford to pay for help? If this is something that you are doing to be a good guy . . . and you're good at it . . . gather a crew and start hiring them out for pay as a second income stream. You will waste a LOT of 'real estate professional time' doing this and the saying 'do a job twice and it's yours' applies. You're a good guy, now be a smart guy.

Fred Griffin said it best as well as Barbara Todaro !

Depends, if the house is already trashed, no need to break your back cleaning it when it might only help the house bring in a few hundred bucks more at sale.  Most buyers going to auctions to buy a house know what to expect.

everyone who attends an auction expects the property to be trashed.... no cleaning up is necessary.... 

It makes you a Good Person Kevin!

Doesn't the bank have a clean out crew? If you're going to do REO's & such you should have someone available 24/7.

What Fred said, but you're a good friend I bet.

At one point or another in your real estate career, you will pitch in and do what's necessary in order to get a listing sold or to assist a colleague. There's no shame in doing so and anyone who tells you they would never chip in or assist a seller in this way is probably not giving you the real story.

Generally it would be up to the seller or bank to take care of it.

Sometimes we have to do something to maybe get something back or for me to know I did the right thing at the time.

If it's going to auction, the buyer usually expects to have someone "trash out" the property. I wouldn't worry too much about what you decide.

Personally, I think your time would be better spent elsewhere.

However, helping a friend/co-worker IMO can never be considered sucker work!

Kevin Morris You have lots of good advice here.  I will add consider your motive and your end goal.

That would be up to you to decide...but the listing should have had cleaning provided by the bank that had it up for auction!

The answer would depend upon your motiviation to help. 

If she asked and you helped her, you are a terrific partner ( and not just a coworker) 

Only you and her would know these details. Seek what is right & fair and the outcome is more certain

Kevin Morris This is very good question.

I'm an Independent Contractor and therefore, have no co-workers!

No comments. 

Why not to help without thinking.

Great question and the answers

I don't know why it would make you a sucker. What goes around comes around and you never know when someone will pay you back with equal kindness.

Out here agents don't get paid on auctions (I'm thinking forclosures) and cleanliness doesn't matter.  If he's a friend, you're being a good friend.  If it's just a coworker, the word "chump" comes to mind.  Been there, done that.

Ask yourself "Did he ask the top producer for help and is the top producer there with a trash bag and windex?"

It sounds as if you are a kind, helpful person who is a good friend.  Is it a good use of your time?  There are too many variables to answer that question effectively.

The others have answered.

Kevin Morris Fred Griffin said it best.

The fact that you are asking yourself this question suggests a lesson is in progress.

Now, I DO help those who need help.

If this co-worked NEEDED help, you RESPONDED to a deeper responsibiliy. Others may call you sucker, but your moral code may deliver a different message and present a different promise.

That which is freely offered from the heart never lives without reward.

I agree with Fred Griffin!

There is nothing wrong with helping someone out. If your helping her out did nothing but make her feel good it was time well spent. If your business does not afford you the time to help someone out maybe you are spending too much time chasing $$$. In my opinion you will not be a "sucker" of you help her out. What goes around comes around.

It depends, will they help you on yours? Will they give you anything? Did you expect anything or just doing it as a good guy?

It is always good to pay it forward. 

What Fred Griffin said...

Fred Griffin wins this one.  Again.  Go, Fred, Go!

Good morning Kevin. Helping out a co-worker shouldn't be looked at as being a suck, but if someone takes advantage of your generosity, then it is time to stop.

Kevin Morris - well, its always good to help someone....

Depends on what percent you got!

Others have given you the valuable things to weigh from a Realtor's perspective.  Here's something from the human being side:  If you have an inner hunch that you're being taken, or you feel annoyed or secretly unhappy about the request, then I suggest you pay close attention.  Friendship and reciprocation are excellent reasons to go the extra mile if it is someone with whom you can deepen and enrich the give and take between you, whether as colleagues or personal friends.  However, not everyone is into that and some will be quite happy to use you.  This is where the "personal decision" mentioned by others comes in.  Only you will know if you are being used, and your core will tell you with a growing sense of unease or anger.  Follow your gut.  It knows the truth, and you're worthy of the better outcome.  :  )

Sounds to me like you showed yourself to be friendly, cooperative and one with a Servant's Heart.  I wish you were in Kenosha!  

Certainly not a sucker, but maybe not the best use of your time. There's not one of us (probably) who hasn't done something like this on our own listings, but you start getting sidetracked with other people's listings (and an auction at that) and there's no time to do what brings in your income. 

It's a great lesson . . . don't do it again 

A good co-worker.  And she'll owe you one.  It's always good when colleagues owe you one!

If you have the extra time why not help out but it might not be necessary or a better option would be to hire it done and spend your time looking for the buyer.

Only you can make that decision

Auction properties don't require cleaning,  so not a sucker, but unnecessary.

However, if you give it out in slices, it comes back in loaves.

Your call.

It makes you a really nice guy!

a good guy and a great friend.  However, I hope that she reciprocates 

A good heart and gentle person...and pleased to have you be a member of this community.

I'm going to say it makes you a good Samaritan Kevin Morris 

Interesting question.  I agree there are other activities you could be doing for your business.  If it were a friend that needed help, I would help.  

You need to discuss in detail how to share that piece of pie.  I work with a couple very trust worthy realtors it is always shared.   But I have seen some of the most selfish jerks in industry who takes your leads with nothing in return.  If untested put it in writing.