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#1 of 100: Buyers Aren’t Liars. Agents Are Lazy, Uneducated & Careless!

By
Real Estate Agent with Zuber Group Real Estate

 

A real estate agent gets ready to take his customers (not clients yet) out to look at houses. He asks them simple standard questions: “Price range? Size? Area? Etc.”

Prospective buyers answer the simple questions and include, “we would really like a swimming pool”.

Agent says “great”, quickly takes the simple information provided, doesn’t ask any more questions and proceeds with his search.

Over the next two weeks the agent shows the prospective buyers 17 homes with a swimming pool. (Every home in the area matching the simple criteria given previously)

The buyers were not interested in any of the homes they looked at.

Two weeks pass and the agent hasn’t heard from his prospects. He does a quick follow up call. The prospective buyers let him know that they wrote up a home that they had stumble upon the previous weekend that was perfect!

The agent asked which property it was and was baffled when he found out it didn’t have a swimming pool. “I don’t understand, I thought you needed a swimming pool?” the agent asked. The prospective buyers responded, “We were never going to actually use the swimming pool. We love to entertain and thought that meant we needed a pool. However, this property has a built in custom outdoor kitchen with all the bells and whistles, an extra large brick fire pit, a redwood gazebo, first class landscaping and remarkable exterior lighting. It’s perfect for entertaining!”

If the agent would have taken the time ask more in depth questions, listened carefully and ask more clarifying questions, he wouldn’t have been in this situation.

Stop being so damn eager to cash your next commission check!

Listen. Take the time. Listen. Get to know your clients. Listen. Show them that you care. Listen. Educate them. Listen. Gain their Trust.

Buyers Aren’t Liars. Agents Are Lazy, Uneducated & Careless!

Craig Zuber- Story #1 of 100 over the next 100 days


100 Stories 100 Days
Unrelenting Real Estate Truth


Deep down, people want the truth. Yes, of course they want quality & service & value & entertainment … But above all, they want someone that they can trust.

… and if they don’t, why would you want to do business with them?

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Valarie Kubacki
Prime Real Estate - Valparaiso, IN
Broker Associate, CDPE - 5Star

A friend of mine many years ago said that many people hear but very few people listen.  I live by that and make sure I listen to what my clients are saying. I have even seen this tested in a crowd of people by how many people took away a different opinion of what the conversation was actually about.

Jan 19, 2011 01:17 AM
Larry Bergstrom
Crescent Realty, Inc. Spanaway, WA. - Spanaway, WA
CNE, CRS, GRI

Craig, that's why we have 2 ears and 1 mouth. We're supposed to use them in proportion.

Jan 19, 2011 01:17 AM
Crystal Pina
774.289.5521 - Worcester, MA
Remax Professional Associates

So true. I was working with a buyer who, after we already had an accepted offer and was well into the process, he revealed to me that he had been working with another agent before me but that agent "never showed him anything he liked". At the time I didn't get it. The other agent and I had access to the same MLS. So I made it my goal to never be the agent who showed the wrong properties.

Jan 19, 2011 01:20 AM
Leslie Prest
Leslie Prest, Prest Realty, Sales and Rentals in Payson, AZ - Payson, AZ
Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty, Payson,

I agree that the key is really listening, and getting to know the buyers. However, some buyers ARE liars (and so are some agents).

Jan 19, 2011 04:49 AM
Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS
ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group - Worcester, MA
'Helping You Make the Best Move"

Craig,

I like to meet with my buyers for a consult first to see what they are actually looking for. It saves my time and theirs!

Jan 20, 2011 01:41 AM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Consumers are so surprised when you "parrot" back to them their wants, needs and concerns.  It lets them know you are listening, your heard and you understand.  Now that's a great way to build rapport and lasting relationships.

Jan 20, 2011 03:32 AM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Craig, great post that illustrates well a very important point. I have subscribed to your blog and will follow your series.

Jan 28, 2011 02:19 AM