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Teacher or Salesperson?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Exit Realty Achieve

 

Teacher or Salesperson?

 An apple a day keeps the salesperson away?

 Does the client today need a slick salesperson or a patient teacher?

Financial guru Dave Ramsey says "When getting help with money, whether it is insurance, real estate or investments you should always look for someone with the heart of a teacher, not the heart of a salesman."

The real estate industry is certainly changing. Clients need to know that. Inventory is increasing in my marketplace. We now have 14.9 months worth of homes in Suffolk County, NY. Clients need to know that. Mortgage insurance premiums increased a few days ago so it is now more expensive for a homebuyer to get in a home. Clients need to know that.  Interest rates are starting to climb, which can make it more difficult for homebuyers. Clients need to know that. Short sales and foreclosure listings are increasing which can and will affect pricing. Clients need to know that. As of a few days ago, the government stepped out of the mortgage business. This is a HUGE turnaround from their involvement in 2009 as evidenced by the TARP Report to Congress 1/30/2010. "The Government has done more than simply support the mortgage market, in many ways it has become the mortgage market." This government action has the potential to cause interest rates to rise and clients need to know that too.

 

I am of the mindset that as professional realtors we have the responsibility to educate not to sell.  People are in a position where they need help not a schmoozing! Realtors across the country should rise to the challenge and bring back the service, suggestions and solutions. Then the apple tree will blossom.

 

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL

 

 EXIT REALTY ACHIEVE

956 West Jericho Turnpike

Smithtown, NY 11787

Office: 631-543-2009

www.EXITRealtyAchieve.com

Serving Suffolk County

Comments (12)

Sonja Patterson
Keller Williams - BV - College Station, TX
Texas Monthly 5-Star Realtor Recipient for the Hou

Amen, sister!! That is SO true. We are hired to educate...and the client must make up his or her own mind about what they want to do.  Sometimes, the mama bear in me wants to negotiate more on an offer received. But if the client says "We'll take it (the offer) as it stands" then so be it!

Apr 08, 2010 02:05 PM
Matt Grohe
RE/MAX Concepts - Des Moines, IA
Serving the metro since 2003

Susan: You've sure sold me on the teaching approach to real estate!

Apr 08, 2010 02:07 PM
Cameron Wilson
Labrum Real Estate - Murrieta, CA
The Short Guy - Murrieta,Temecula,Menifee Californ

We are in the business of educating our clients and especially today as information is at their fingertips and no one needs a "slick" salesperson. We are still in the "sales" business as we are to guide clients to make informed decisions.

Apr 08, 2010 02:17 PM
David North
Coldwell Banker Bain - Duvall, WA
for a rewarding real estate experience

Right on.  We're licensed for a reason, and it's not so we can be accountable for being pushy or slick enough.  :)

Apr 08, 2010 02:23 PM
Arthur Hasher
Exit Realty-Realty Place - Sun City, AZ

Susan, when you are writing from the heart, you could never be wrong. I agree with Sonja, Amen

Apr 08, 2010 04:16 PM
Bubba Fife
Complete Property Maintenance - Nashville, TN

 

I can remember when Dave Ramsey first got started in radio sever years ago. I drive by FPU every day on my way to work. But to answer your question, we could all use a patient teacher...

featured in blogs happen...

 

Apr 08, 2010 09:24 PM
Daniel Olsen
Exit Realty Achieve - Smithtown, NY

Susan,

You couldn't be more correct, I completely agree with your philosophy! I truly believe that being honest and educating a customer will pay off many times over.

Dan

Apr 15, 2010 10:07 AM
Scott Miller
Signature Premier Properties - Smithtown, NY

Susan,

 

I am a firm believer in educating the consumer, and agents, for that matter. Our philosophies are quite similar, that's why I am absolutely sure I made the correct decision when I joined your office. 

Apr 19, 2010 10:57 AM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

I agree.  I try to educate - not "sell people."  There are still a lot hard-core sales people around.  I don't know how they make a living in this environment - but they do.

Aug 31, 2010 04:53 PM
Lori Bowers
La Quinta, CA
The Lori Bowers Group

I feel it is both. You have to believe in the product and educate as well.

Nov 09, 2010 05:49 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Susan:  With my nine years of teaching background before I got into real estate... teaching my buyers and sellers has pretty-much been a natural thing for me to do.  And then there are all the tutorials I write on Active Rain... both for Newbies and Oldbies alike.  Once a teacher, always a teacher.  <smile>

Now... did you finish your homework ?  LOL.

Nov 21, 2010 05:56 PM
Sandra McCormick
Fort Worth, TX

Karen, I am currently moving from the education field to real estate, and your words are very encouraging. Hopefully my transition will be as natural as it was for you! Thanks for your post.

Nov 29, 2010 03:19 PM