Location, Location...Timing...And Preparation!

By InstantAgent, Coco Isle Realty

"Prepared?"

(A) Remember Mr. and Mrs. Lesia, the house at Hula Drive, and Mr. Fishborne from The Saga Of The InstantAgentless Buyers?

(B) More about the Lesias and Mr. Fishborne (and their more successful counterparts, the Gladfines and the Hapsails) at More Than One Way To Buy A House!

     Let's Establish A Baseline: Rules. We don't make the laws, but we know that following them pays. Rules are different. Breaking them sometimes can pay; you and I sometimes make up rules as we go along in the daily transactions in our lives, and we know it can pay to switch.

     Here is something that definitely pertains to Hawaii:  Within culture groups, individuals will play by different rules, but there is a certain amount of common ground. When culture groups interact, flexibility given by the "common ground" largely evaporates -- and each side may see in the other an "unnecessary" rigidity that gets in the way of doing business. The idea of rules is pervasive. They vary within groups but they are fairly fixed between groups. Knowing and understanding this is a key to real estate success in Hawaii.

     Because so many Hawaii real estate transactios are cross-cultural in nature, it is important we distinguish between rules, laws, and international conventions. Although we may not want to switch the rules by which we play in cross-cultural real estate, we contribute mightily to our successes through our understanding of differences in the rules of the two sides.

     When you employ Coco Isle Realty to work for you in one or more real estate transactions, we are careful to manage this for you. We know which formal laws the other side is or should be following, but knowledge of the rules it follows is an entirely different matter. The tendency for two sides to follow different rules in a cross-cultural real estate situation can really complicate things, primarily though the absence of sufficient common ground. We can compensate for this. Common ground can be created by one or both sides, independent of the other, in seeking to understand the rules or "lenses" by which the other side views the world. Simply put, through "seeking to understand," the flexibility needed to "do business" is often gained.

     Please keep this in mind: Even in the absence of understanding, the cordiality so created goes a long way towards satisfaction of the goal at hand. Indeed, the act of seeking "in and of itself" can be enough! When principals are not speaking the same language, there is high probability the same concepts are not being used in decision-making. Culture rules followed are usually unstated, and generally are hidden -- even to the person obeying them. The behaviors resulting from some of these rules may seem to us "blatant" and "unacceptable" while others may even be quite attractive -- all the while the other party may have no clue that what you noticed even exists!

     There is one common problem in business: that as upright as we try to be, we may sometimes feel the other side is uptight or less than ethical or not as straightforward as they should be -- when all along, they thought it was your side! When these situations are cross-cultural, it is good to remember that rules being followed are probably accepted within the other side's group and work fine there. Disagreements and misunderstandings can be as much an accident of birth or upbringing as wanted or intended! James says "ducks out of water walk a two way street." We think he means "waddle," but also that adaptations have to be made when you are interacting with a foreign element.

     Rules are formed to fit groups or situations. Applied beyond the group or situation, they can wreak havoc unwanted by any party --especially if the other side feels they are "imposed." The natural temptation, of course, is to blame the "other" side. Fortunately, you do not have to lower your standards to deal with these issues. Nor do you have to "blame the other side." A willingness to adapt or set aside the rules by which you play can go a long way. This is the 'flexibility' we seek. The secret to flexibility may be likened to the so-called "Out of Body Experience" (OBE*): to be objective, to see it from the other side's point of view, and to take that information back to your negotiations for use in achieving your goal. Built-in limitations in the cross-cultural real estate transaction are overcome by strict respect for common denominators needed in all real estate transactions: law, accepted practices, honesty, and spelling it out clearly in writing.

     Do all of us want to be understood and successful? Certainly. Do all of us think all think fair play and good faith would prevail if they were given a chance? Probably not, and probably justifiably so. Unfortunately, in virtually any social or business environment in the world, assuming these things of others is usually naive. It only takes one to spoil it for dozens of the rest. For our best shot at success in our endeavors, we each have our responsibilities: to be ethical, to do our homework, to be prepared, and to take into account differing ways of thinking -- and of doing business. We must be at the same time be steadfast and flexible, and goal oriented and knowledgeable within our considered moral and ethical guidelines. This is our challenge if we are to achieve what we want! Winnowing through the mazes of cross-cultural life is invigorating. It is one of the reasons we love Hawaii. People the world over mean well. If we would work on our communication skills nearly as much as we work at being "on guard," the majority of difficulties would resolve themselves. What irony!

     On the one hand, we pause to "smell the flowers" and get involved. On the other hand, the "difference" attracting us, defined almost wholly by the absence of "common ground," may be the tip of an iceberg leading to misunderstanding -- especially when it relates to money, health, or home. To this reality, flexibility and preparation are the antidotes! In Hawaii, we at Coco Isle Realty offer to you our knowledge, flexibility, and preparation.

"You Are Here To Buy A Home 

       & We Are Here To Help You."       

                        _{Welcome to Coco Isle!}