Positive Blogging = Client Stealing?

I recently wrote a post about a developer in Richmond, Ron Stallings, and his condominium projects.  The gist of the post was intended to be that I was impressed with him, because he articulated a RATIONALE behind his developments.  He had a clear picture in mind of WHO he was developing for, and to me, that makes imminent business sense.

A secondary theme in the post was that this developer seems to be an exception, rather than the rule. I suggested that many developers seem to develop the same type of project that has been successful in the past.  It was implicit in the post that I was talking about residential condominium projects.

Well, apparently I've made some people mad.  Someone, who shall remain nameless, felt the need to tell me that I've rubbed a number of people "in the business" the wrong way with my commentary, and people took some of my musings as a personal attack.  S/he also indicated that my admiration for the developer was interpreted by some as a transparent attempt to "steal" that developer from their current agent.

My first reaction:  I'm ANGRY.  For a number of different reasons.  I'm trying to sort them all out, so I'm numbering below.

1.  On the stealing someone's client thing:  That people have suggested my post was an attempt to solicit Mr. Stallings, who I presume has an existing relationship with an agent or agents, has ticked me off more than anything else.  Anyone who knows me knows better.  I have NEVER solicited someone else's client, and I never will. 

You can call me lots of things - and I'm sure many people do - but "unethical" is not one of them.  My Dad is a VMI guy and I grew up on that stuff.  One of his favorite sayings is "It takes a lifetime to build a reputation, and a moment to destroy it."  I firmly believe that.  I work really d*mn hard to do the right thing, not just the expedient or permissible thing.  [NOTE:  See my posts on the practice of dual agency as an example].  For someone or someones who barely know me to suggest I was doing something underhanded really chaps my butt. 

For the record:  I was and am impressed with Mr. Stallings' approach.  I think if more developers were similarly thoughtful with their own development, Richmond would have more successful developments, which would make it a better place to live, work, and raise a family.  End of story.

2.  Stealing clients, Part II:  I write about things that interest me in my industry.  I work with developers who do residential condo projects.  I look at and think about other condominium projects, because I generally learn something new from each and every one - a new marketing technique, a different design approach, a cautionary tale on something that's not successful.  When I write about these projects, are people going to assume I'm trying to steal those listings too?  Grrrr......

3.  The "lemmings" comment:  I made a flippant remark in my blog about developers being lemmings.  Apparently, this is the specific phrase that was taken as a "personal attack."  My only point was it seems at times that developers follow trends, rather than trying to project the next trend.  That tied back to my admiration for Mr. Stallings, who is - IMHO - projecting the next trend(s) and developing for those niche markets. 

I based my argument on what seems to me to be a self-evident fact, that development in the local residential condominium market seems to go in waves, as far as project STYLE goes.  The first projects  were "traditional," with dark cabinets, granite counter tops, stainless appliances, tan tile floors.  These projects are still being produced - my listing at Windsor Court Condominiums is an example - and some are continuing to sell well.  A subsidiary point was that whatever is currently "trendy," be it traditional or loft-style, can still sell, but if you aren't the first project out of the gate in a style and/or location, you better tag all the bases on the other elements, like construction quality, additional amenities (in the Fan, parking is HUGE), location. 

Other trends I would identify:        

• Complete "whole cloth" new urbanism developments.  See Rockett's Landing, Monument Square, West Broad Village
• High-rise new construction condominiums.  See Riverside on the James, Vistas on the James, and the abandoned (?) project at Main and 5th Street 

4.  Naming Projects:  The specific developments I listed were intended only to be examples of the urban, loft-style condominium projects that I had identified as a current trend.  I did not in any way intend to suggest there was something wrong with any of those specific projects or any of those developers.  In fact, I've been in all of those projects and think they're very good-looking from a purely aesthetic standpoint, and the construction quality is high. The developer of 2 of the 3 projects is a current client - I certainly wouldn't intentionally offend them.  I didn't know who the developer of the third project was until I asked today, and I do not know any of the principals in that company.  In fact, the only reason I thought to include that project was because it is new, and it recently won a development/design award.

After banging all this out, am I still angry?  No, I guess I am more disappointed than anything, that my intentions would be so misconstrued.  I love real estate, I really do, and I especially like working with my real estate developer clients.  But I'm a little surprised at the reaction I apparently generated, and the willingness of people to make certain assumptions.  And I'm still TICKED OFF that people would suggest I'm trying to "steal" a client if I write a positive piece on a specific developer or project.  Especially when I am really d*mn proud to put myself in the distinct minority of real estate agents that doesn't play dirty pool over clients and listings. 

The bottom line is this blog is a place for me to express my opinions about happenings in the Richmond real estate market.  Sometimes those opinions will be critical, although I hope those opinions are taken in the spirit in which they are intended, as constructive criticism.  I don't think I'm right or wrong, I just have my own perspective.  If you have a problem with what I say or how I say it, I welcome comments, either directly to my blog or to me personally.  I'm at (804) 986-3993 or melissasavenko@hotmail.com.