It’s strange where you can have discussions about real estate and with whom. I was in my stunning little open front smock ready for my mammogram and my cell phone rang. (Darn, I forgot to silence that rascally thing!) I saw quickly it was my principal broker. “I’ll call him back when I’m done here,” I told the technician.
“So you’re a Realtor®, huh?”
“Well, yes, I am, but I’m different than most Realtors ®… I only work with buyers. I’m an Exclusive Buyer Agent.”
She had never heard of such a thing but was intrigued. I told her more. It was nice to talk about something while I was in the icy, vice-like grip of the “mammonator.”
“That really sounds like the way to do things. My last transaction was terrible. I lost money because the agent didn’t look out for me,” she explained. “The guy was my friend, and I really thought he’d protect me. But in the end, it didn’t work out that way.” Her story was shocking and sad, but not uncommon.
I felt sorry for her. I’d had my own bad experiences with real estate agents who were more concerned about the bottom line for themselves than for me, their client. That’s why I became an Exclusive Buyer Agent. As soon as I heard about Exclusive Buyer Agents I was sold, just like my friendly, chatty mammographer.
I don’t dislike real estate agents – I am one! But what I don’t like is poor customer service, lack of professionalism and any behavior that isn’t ethical and client centered in real estate agents – especially Realtors ®. (Realtors ® have had extra training in ethics and it should show.) I know consumers don’t like these qualities any better than I do.
I have worked with excellent agents, personally and professionally who embody the qualities of excellent customer service, are professional, ethical and client centered. If you are an agent like this, well, I love working with you as I help my buyer clients buy from your seller. If you are not… well, that is another story for another day.
As a matter-of-fact, it was… I heard another hair-raising tail of limited-agency gone bad to the tune of $20,000 in lawyer fees from my favorite hairdresser!
Yes, it is funny where you can have a discussion about real estate and with whom… It’s just harder when you’re at the dentist!
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