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In today's market and during the summer, it helps to keep our cool. And one of the best ways I know how to do that is by staying professional with our clients and each other. The world of real estate is wacky enough – let’s not make it any worse.
As a buyer’s agent, do your due diligence:
• Preview properties so you don't have to drag your clients around to those notorious fixer-uppers that are all the rage now if that's not what they are looking for.
• Look at the financing terms, and make sure the terms match with what's in the description or in broker remarks.
• Call the listing agent and find out information about the house, why it’s for sale and the circumstances around it.
• Be diligent and fill out the feedback form with relevant information. This information, as we all know, can be crucial to the selling process; it’s a gesture that is greatly appreciated.
These small steps will save you time and money, not to mention gas and miles on your car and doing them will show your client just how well-prepared you are in order to help them secure the right property for their needs. Happy buyers can equal many referrals and that is how we stay in this business.
As a listing agent:
• Take the time to go out (or at the very least have one of your staff members go) and look at your new listing, taking measurements of the rooms that are in the MLS.
• Pictures are a super idea no matter what the price range.
• In the broker remarks section: comments like "See mapquest” or “Buy a Garmin" just don't cut it these days. Be old school and actually put down major cross streets to help buyer agents tell their clients where to meet them.
• If there has been a recent lockbox problem with your listing, call your showing desk and have them call all the appointments for that day and alert them to the need for rescheduling the appointment.
• If you're not sure of what FHA wants in a home, reacquaint yourself with their requirements and make sure your listing will meet those requirements.
• Fill out the description area in the MLS. Buyers really do search for properties using this information.
Another really good way to stay professional is this: Answer your phone and return calls in a timely manner. When buyer agents are wanting to make offers and need your help with information, don't let their voicemails sit for the entire weekend. Call them back, answer their questions and get that deal put together.
While taking each of these small steps may seem to be a bother, in the long run you will be helping your fellow REALTOR® out while showing your clients that your attention to detail and your willingness to take the time with them and their property will only benefit them to the highest degree. You'll be building life long business relationships with your clients and you'll be a REALTOR® who other REALTORS® want to do business with.
Be smart, be proactive and be professional and you can withstand the hottest of days!
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