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.
1. To Serve
2. To Know
3. 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.
a) 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.
b) 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!
c) 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.
a) 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.
b) 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.
c) 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.
a) 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.
b) 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.
c) 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.
Publisher's Directions: This article may be freely distributed so long as the copyright, author's information, disclaimer, and an active link (where possible) are included.
Disclaimer: Statements and opinions expressed in the articles, reviews and other materials herein are those of the authors. While every care has been taken in the compilation of this information and every attempt made to present up-to-date and accurate information, we cannot guarantee that inaccuracies will not occur. The author will not be held responsible for any claim, loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of any information within these pages or any information accessed through this site.
Copyright 2005, by http://www.Loans-Resource.Com, This article is available in full format at: Real Estate Agent, Tom Levine provides a solid, common sense approach to solving problems and answering questions relating to consumer loan products. His website seeks to provide free online resources for the consumer, including rate-watch, tips and articles, financial communication, news, and links to products and services.
Under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, owners of... Read More
Real estate stories radiate from the water cooler and cocktail... Read More
The proper action when things are going well is to... Read More
Prospecting for leads is by far the most difficult part... Read More
A Realtor has just talked to you and said, "I... Read More
When considering investment properties, first of all, it must be... Read More
After riding the ups and downs of the stock market... Read More
Is landlording the way to go if you are starting... Read More
In many places you can buy a house and a... Read More
A foreclosure is an action taken against a property owner... Read More
Doing deals with sellers is why you went into lease... Read More
Florida Investment Property ? Why Investing is a Wise Decision... Read More
Where to from here:One property is great, but It wont... Read More
Leverage: With real estate, people and companies will lend you... Read More
With the recent release from the UK's biggest mortgage lender,... Read More
Buying foreclosures can be extremely profitable for real estate investors.... Read More
Consider the statistic in the title for a moment.8/10 millionaires... Read More
Several months ago, the 3,000-member California Association of Mortgage Brokers... Read More
Condos have become an increasingly attractive home ownership option for... Read More
As an ASP Home StagerŪ I know how important curb... Read More
What are the odds that you'll find your dream at... Read More
Homebuyers, especially first-timers, may not think of asking about restrictive... Read More
Selling your home? Here are some suggestions to help you... Read More
A bit about VeniceVenice, Florida was named by an early... Read More
Many are taking advantage of this year's low mortgage rates... Read More
Never has there been such an ambitious and creative drive... Read More
You've listed your home for sale, you have a Buyer... Read More
Now that you've chosen a real estate professional to sell... Read More
The Primary Residence taxation, the Residential Replacement Rollover, Sec. 1034... Read More
If you're a foreign national thinking about investing in the... Read More
What is title insurance and why should any buyer get... Read More
Buying real estate can start with a look in the... Read More
Signage, though quite fundamental in nature, plays an important role... Read More
If you've read my first article, BUDGETING YOUR LOG HOME:... Read More
Buying and selling property is not as easy as you... Read More
Real estate investment and development has never been a more... Read More
Several months ago, the 3,000-member California Association of Mortgage Brokers... Read More
Choosing the wrong Home Inspector can cost you a lot... Read More
Sometimes when we are very busy professionals and very rich... Read More
Buying foreclosures can be extremely profitable for real estate investors.... Read More
Are you one of a growing number of people considering... Read More
"CMA" is an abbreviation real estate agents use for a... Read More
One of the main reasons home sale transactions fall apart... Read More
There are many expenses that come with buying a home.... Read More
You shower, shampoo, dress your best, check to see if... Read More
If you are investing in real estate you will face... Read More
These real questions on new home starts and interest rates... Read More
Satisfying and lucrative real estate investment depends upon your correct... Read More
In addition to zoning, some properties have covenants recorded at... Read More
There was a time when every conversation was focussed on... Read More
Why without asking your boss? Two reasons, one, he or... Read More
You're ready to put your home or land (house, townhouse,... Read More
There is curently a huge real Estate boom in America... Read More
Those new to real estate investing often fail to take... Read More
How do you find a house for ten or twenty... Read More
When looking for a new home or property, buyers ask... Read More
FSBO, what is it? FSBO means For Sale by Owner,... Read More
The voluntary Model Green Home Building Guidelines are designed to... Read More
I'm going to focus... Read More
I am a total geek.A few weeks ago, late at... Read More
In order to find a real estate broker or agent... Read More
If everyone always did everything they said they'd do, we'd... Read More
One of the most common causes for disputes occurring after... Read More
Financial literacy is the means of empowering consumers to make... Read More
Did you know that the sales flyer is the most... Read More
Luxury homes are lots of fun to inspect. Sure, the... Read More
Real Estate |