Mistakes new agents make... and ways to avoid them!

1) Don't pretend you know what you are doing if you don't. I love to help people, and was new in the business once. Instead of trying to wow me with your real estate knowledge, confide in me that you may need help. Then ask away! Honesty, ambition, and eagerness to learn, are more impressive than how well you know metes and bounds descriptions, or how much business you give your home inspector and lender.

2) Don't assume the listing agent and lender are doing their job (and try not to get irritated about it either). Do the utilities need to be turned on prior to inspection? Remind them of the inspection date. Does the appraiser need to get in? Again, a reminder is sometimes greatly appreciated. Don't have a copy of the resale certificate 2 days from the due date? Call and ask for it. Haven't heard from the lender? Touch bases and find out what's going on. Sometimes people get busy, sometimes they are on vacation, and sometimes they just plain don't carry their end of the deal (not me, of course). If the ultimate goal is to get the transaction closed, do what you have to do and don't complain about it.

3) DON'T spill your guts about the buyers personal struggles as a means to justify low ball offers or repair requests. I sell a lot of bank-owned homes and short sales. It is imperative that I am convinced your buyer is solvent. If they can't afford to replace a $100 light fixture because their car just broke down, they have too many medical bills, or they have to remodel the house to their specifications... that does not attest to the stength of your buyer. Banks are in business to make money-not to collect endless tales of woe and give houses away as a prize for the best story. Justify your reasoning with comps, statistics, facts, or repair bids.... not personal information that bears no weight on a real estate transaction. If a couple hundred dollars is truly going to bring your buyer to financial ruin, perhaps now is not the time to buy a house.

4) Don't compromise the art of negotiation by overprotecting your buyers. You know the old saying 'You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar'? Negotiate like a professional working towards a common goal... not like a mother bear with rabies protecting her cubs. Cooperation, understanding, and calm problem-solving skills are the key to getting what your buyers want and a successful closing. Keyword-CALM.

5) Submit and present ONLY complete offers. Most banks and sellers require a copy of the earnest money check, proof of funds, a preapproval letter, and more. Send it all together - along with the items in the next tip if applicable.

6) READ, READ, READ the "agent only remarks" on the MLS. If they say the listing agent responds quicker to email and text... TEXT OR EMAIL THEM. If there are bank addendum's, disclosures,and  legal documents attached to the listing - include them. As a buyers agent, it's your job is to position the buyer in the most positive light possible using the offer and presentation. Quite often, the "agent only" remarks tell you exactly how to do so. Please follow the instructions... it's in your buyers best interest!

7) Play nice with other brokers or get out of the real estate sandbox. Our relationships with other agents are almost as important as our relationships with our clients. Treat your fellow agents with professionalism, courtesy, and respect... then watch your transactions flow smoothly.