Normally, January and February are my slowest months for opening escrows. This holds true even in a good real estate market. This year is 27 days old and I have already opened quite a few escrows. What a pleasant surprise and it sure makes me excited about the coming months!
I work with some of the best agents in Southern California. I know it is their hard work that opens those escrows. Each time an agent opens an escrow with me, I know that I must treat it with the utmost care. In the last couple of years, putting together a deal has been so much harder and we all know "it ain't over, till it's over"! An agent may have worked on the transaction for six months before it makes it to my desk. So, believe me, I know the amount of trust that you are placing with me and I understand that my service can also reflect back onto you.
Agents really need to pick their escrow officer with care. It is not about the "fee", we should all be allowed to make money in this industry. If the fee is your sole focus, you could end up with a problem. The agent needs to know that they and their clients will receive erturn phone calls and frequent status updates. An informed client is less likely to become upset. I truly believe that knowledge and service should be the focus when picking your escrow officer.
I know when I buy or sell property, I would rather pay full commission and have motivated agents looking at a 3% commission over a 2.5% commission. I know when I am a seller, I want my agent and the buyers agent to have the highest motivation possible.
I wish you all a wonderful 2010 and I hope you all build a team of seasoned vendors that value your business and work hard to make your deals go as smoothly as possible.
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