Home > Blogs > Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities > Palos Verdes Homes Blog by Norma Toering 310-493-8333

A Good Agent Opens Doors and So Much More

By Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Charlemagne International Properties BRE# 01147470

November 22, 2010 09:11 AM

The down payment is in the bank, interest rates are inviting and you have spent countless hours surfing the Internet sites looking for a home. Maybe you've even made a list and starred the ones that will held open on the weekend. Chances are there will be some on the list that will not be open, but you want to see them too. So what's a buyer to do?

I'm a fan of open houses so I love it when prospective buyers find my open house (and I work very hard both online and offline to make sure they find it) and wander through the rooms at leisure as they wonder whether this could be the one. Open house is a wonderful vehicle for buyers to look and agents to educate. I offer information on the property, the neighborhood, the schools and the community. Sometimes there is instant chemistry and the click factor kicks in, other times the connection ends after the listing education is completed, and that's okay too. My job as a listing agent is to present the facts and features of each particular listing to all prospective buyers whether it be online or in person.

Agents are being interviewed at each open house they hold. Neighbors want to compare their house to the one on the market, and they are sizing up the agent and the way information is being presented. Knowledge is hard to fake.

The majority of buyers search online for a house and more and more of them are searching online for an agent to represent them. Whether you are a first time buyer or an experienced buyer it is important not only to find a house that meets your needs but also an agent that can not only open doors, but provide you with a wealth of local information, real estate expertise and finesse their way through difficult negotiations and escrow hurdles. Opening the door is just the beginning.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

PalosVerdesLifestyle - Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

Homes In Palos Verdes - Palos Verdes Realtor Home
Palos Verdes Horse Property - Palos Verdes Realtor Blog
Boitano Palms Lots for Sale - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Palos Verdes Homes
Palos Verdes Photography - Palos Verdes Videos

Colorado River Front Property

Re-Blog

Comments(14)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Norma....open house events are a great place to not only find buyers but it's a great place for a future seller to find you.....

Nov 22, 2010 11:52 AM

Jen Edwards

RE/MAX Unlimited - Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Broker Associate

Open houses are great for prospecting. It's always nice to meet an agent who is helpful whether your a buyer or another agent. Nothing worse than going to an open house and the agent hosting it won't engage in conversation.

Nov 22, 2010 12:22 PM

Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities

Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Barbara - I received an offer today and the buyer first saw it at open house. He returned a second time with his agent and presto--an offer arrived. Works for me (and my seller).

Nov 22, 2010 12:32 PM

Jen - An engaging agent is a winning agent. I've actually had sellers tell me they attended one of my open houses as their initial interview. If I had not provided useful information and engaged them there is no way I would have won their confidence and their listing.

Nov 22, 2010 12:36 PM

Sheila Newton Team Anderson & Greenville SC

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices - C. Dan Joyner - Anderson, SC

Selling the Upstate since 1989

I personally don't work weekends but if we have an open house, one of my buyer's agents holds it... By the way, I LOVE that house in the photo above!!!! I want to live there!!

Nov 22, 2010 03:33 PM

Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon

Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO

Helping people Transition at all ages!

Norma....Providing valuable information to a prospective buyer is crucial. The impression you make on that first contact is lasting - good or bad!

Nov 23, 2010 03:32 AM

Sheila - I snapped that photo in Ireland last summer--it was too charming to pass up and besides, I knew I would find an opportunity to use it on my blog.

Nov 23, 2010 03:48 AM

Carra - We are always making first impressions wherever we go, whatever we do.

Nov 23, 2010 03:51 AM

Malcolm Johnston

Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate LTD., Trenton, Ontario - Trenton, ON

Trenton Real Estate

Norma, I think it's important to have open houses. Sometimes people are sittig on the fence, and they are hesitant to call an agent, but when you give them an opportunity to noncommitaly stroll through the house, you might stir up some interest.

Nov 23, 2010 07:33 AM

Malcolm - Many buyers are very independent and like to look online at their leisure and view houses the same way--open house allows them the freedom to do it their way.

Nov 23, 2010 08:57 AM

Renée Donohue~Home Photography

Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI

Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

I agree and the fun :cough cough: does not begin until a contract is executed!

Nov 23, 2010 09:59 AM

Renee - And some are more fun than others--if you know what I mean...

Nov 23, 2010 10:21 AM

Dan Jasmer

Fine Properties - Sarasota, FL

Changing the way you look at real estate

Norma, I agree. It's many times easy to pick out the buyers who are studying us. I had this happen last weekend with a seller and we are actively discussing listing their property.

Nov 24, 2010 04:20 AM

Dan - It works with both buyers and sellers. We are always being interviewed!

Nov 24, 2010 07:46 AM

A Good Agent Opens Doors and So Much More

Comments(14)

Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities

Service Areas

Real Estate Resources

Recent Posts

Additional Information