What To Look For In A Real Estate Agent
BATTLECALL GUEST EXPERT: Tom Levine, Loan
Officer
Real Estate Agents play an essential, critical role in the process of buying
and selling a home. You just simply cannot afford to work with an agent that
does not exhibit top-scale professional values. We're talking about your primary
investment, and the happiness of you and your loved ones.
Here are the 3, most important things that I've encountered, that I
believe contribute towards excellence in the profession of Real Estate
agents.
- To Serve
- To Know
- To Listen
1. To Serve:
Real Estate is a service business, and homeowners and buyers must be treated
with the respect that they deserve. A Real Estate Agent must demonstrate that
they care about you, and that their primary concern is to serve your needs, and
not their own.
- Look for agents that carry cell phones everywhere they go, and that have no
problem taking late night calls, or being interrupted during a Saturday morning
snooze. This isn't a rib of steak you're buying (or selling). It is more
important than everything and anything, and it can be a stressful, anxious
process to go through. Customers deserve a confidant, and to be treated with the
utmost of care.
- Avoid agents that think they know everything. Seek out agents yearning to
find out about you, and your likes, dislikes, and opinions. Avoid agents
hail-bent on trying to prove what an encyclopedia of wisdom and advice they are.
You're thoughts matter too!
- Your time is important. If you want to see 20 properties or more, don't let
anyone stop you. A Real Estate agent that encourages you to look, and explore,
is more worthy of your time, than an agent that tries to fit you into their busy
schedule. This is your buying experience, not theirs.
2. To Know:
I believe that knowledge is gained through familiarity. So, having a real
estate agent that is familiar with the landscape of the land is of critical
importance.
- I like agents that have lived in the area for a while, that know all the
names of the streets, and that know the high schools, the local grocery stores,
and the local parks.
- I enjoy listening to an agent's own personal experiences, as we drive
through neighborhoods, or review demographics. It's not as important to me that
they're old, or young, or rich, or hungry, or just like me, or nothing like me,
or whatever. As long as the stories are real, and are related, that's all that
matters.
- I think an agent needs to be always on. Do they have access to all the
information at all times? Do they constantly look for new properties, or new
values, and do they have networked connections locally to appraisers, and loan
officers, and title companies? Are they always thinking about my circumstance,
and trying to connect the dots in my interest? I don't want to be sold on
decisions that earn commissions. I want to be guided to properties and
professionals that best meet my needs.
3. To Listen:
There is no greater communication skill, then the ability to listen. Most of
us find it next to impossible, to be silent, and take it all in. We all strive
to be the center of attention, the story of the day, and the opinion worth
listening to.
- Real Estate agents that master the art of listening can truly hone in on
your needs. These are the agents worth keeping in your rolodex, because they can
tune in to your desires, your personality, your financial profile, and all
critical elements of the deal, without your even being aware of it.
- This is not so easy to spot, because often times, the ability to listen is
overlooked. A good listener, after all, probably isn't speaking as much. But
consider this: Is the conversation mostly about you? Does the agent ask a lot of
questions relating to your personal tastes, experiences, and ideas? Do you find
yourself walking away, feeling a satisfaction about the dialog? These are all
signs that you've just come into contact with a master listener.
- And the real testament to an agent that listens, is when they finally do
speak. Usually, when they do say something, it's really, really important, and
right on target, and completely unforgettable. Why? Because, they've spent most
of their time absorbing you and your situation, and then they nail you with the
bomb&Their recommendations that truly will change your life forever. I swear to
you, it's golden. You'll get a much better property bought or sold, if you can
find a real estate agent that knows how to listen.
We've enjoyed providing this information to you, and we wish you the best of
luck in your pursuits. Remember to always seek out good advice from those you
trust, and never turn your back on your own common sense.
Got an opinion? We want to hear from you. Post your thoughts or comments here in our Mortgage Warrior Forum. Come join the conversation and say hello...onward mortgage warrior!
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