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Agent Reflects On Redfin Buyers

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Services for Real Estate Pros with Redfin
With all the talk of Redfin recently I thought ActiveRainers might be interested in this post from a Seattle agent on Rain City Guide, Is Your Open House In The NWMLS For ALL To See?. In the post Courtney talks about the Redfin buyers she sees at her open houses:
Redfin buyers seem to almost always be actively looking for a home. They meticulously schedule and map out the open houses they plan to visit and they come with questions prepared. In short, they are serious.
The post also mentions that Redfin buyers seem to cringe open entering open houses because they expect to be treated poorly. I hate to hear this and wonder what we could do to make the situation better? I know in the past we started off on the wrong foot with a lot of agents because we had our clients call the listing agent for showings. We now no longer do that and tour all our clients (we used to charge for this, but now its free). What else could we do to ensure every buyer is treated respectfully regardless of how they came to find the open house?
Vickie Nagy
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - Palm Springs, CA
Vickie Jean the Palm Springs Condo Queen

I treat all open home entrants the same regardless of the brokerage firm they're working with. I make sure they know I'm there to answer their questions.

Jun 15, 2009 05:18 AM
Julie Cleland
Prudential California Realty - South San Francisco, CA

The problem wasn't that clients were calling the listing agent directly, that happens all the time in our business.   The problem is that Redfin sets up the expectation that we, as agents, would pay clients for the pleasure of working on their behalf.  Clients want full commission service without paying the full service price and many of us have been hit with the request for a kick back because "Redfin will do it!".    

Jun 15, 2009 05:49 AM
Courtney Cooper
Cooper Jacobs - Seattle, WA
206-850-8841

Hey you!  Glad you saw that - I do think Redfin buyers are pretty amazing:)  It is how I imagine I would be without my real estate license... and maybe younger:)

Jun 15, 2009 09:38 AM
Courtney Cooper
Cooper Jacobs - Seattle, WA
206-850-8841

PS - I have also been under a rock this week swamped with inspection stuff so I missed your post but will go back and check it out.

Jun 15, 2009 09:39 AM