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First impressions of a bad/good realtor: what is a turn off, what is a turn on

By
Real Estate Agent with Alain Pinel BRE 01367196

Recalling the times when I was myself a buyer/seller and before I became a realtor, I vividly remember what some realtors did that were either turn-offs or turn-ons....and I'm praying/hoping I always do the best for my own clients.


TURN-OFFS

We were the buyers

Disappeared while we were looking at the house.
We called the listing agent about a property in Tallahassee FL. The realtor met us at the house, opened the door, showed us the highlights, then wandered away to the garden to talk to the seller who didn't leave. She gave us "space" but she gave us too much because she wasn't around to answer our questions.  

Told us we were better off as renters. We were new in Dallas TX  and weren't quite sure we wanted to live in a townhouse/condo uptown, or move to the suburbs.(We have owned homes before). Perhaps because of the number and types of questions we asked, the agent probably thought we weren't qualified and told us to continue to rent. He prejudged!

Laughed at our request.
  
We called some folks we found in the local Homes and Lands magazine and asked him to meet with us where we were staying (EmbassySuites) during our home buying expedition.in Orlando FL. He practically laughed (okay, sneered) when we mentioned that we would like a waterfront property. Without knowing anything about us and who we are or how much we can afford?

Perhaps he wasn't impressed by how we were dressed (it's summer, I was in a sundress, my significant other was in shorts).

We were the sellers

Immediately criticized our home
. We interviewed agents to list our Orlando FL house after unsuccessful attempts to sell it ourselves. This agent came in, introduced herself...but before we could establish rapport, and before we could even tell her what we were going to do to prepare our home, she immediately criticized what's wrong with the property, and told us what we needed to do.

Inappropriate dress and totally unprepared. This same agent was either unprepared, unprofessional,...but she was certainly something else. Came to the house in extremely short dress, extremely high stilettos, extremely flighty. She had no presentation materials or credentials to present, no knowledge of the area or the comps. What was she selling?

TURN ONS

We were the buyers 

Friendly, not pushy, came prepared Put us at ease, asked questions about us, our preferences and our experience as prior homeowners. Even asked us what we are looking for in a realtor, and promised to exceed our expectations, She said OUR needs are her number one priority, She asked how much we know about the area. Seeing we were new, she brought a realtor's map, oriented us about our proximity to where we were going to work, explained traffic patterns, types of neighborhoods. Armed with this information, we selected the areas where we wanted to look. Having clearly defined requirements provided us with a target to aim for.

Before, during and after the sale.  She picked us up at the appointed time and place, always had several properties grouped together to maximize productive time, recognized when it was time to take a break and took us to nice places for refreshments. She was present when we signed the papers, and presented us with Dom Perignon afterwards. After the sale, she called to follow up and offered additional help. Remembered us with note cards during special occasions.


We were the sellers

Firendly, not pushy, came prepared
. Put us at ease, asked questions about us, our preferences and our experience as prior sellers, asked questions about our bad/good experiences with realtors, promised to exceed our expectations. The husband and wife team were thoroughly prepared. They knew the area, They knew the comps. They knew the restrictions about our development  in Palma Vista at Orlando FL's Metrowest (builder was still building at that time). They provided a professional presentation of their marketing plan. 

Before, during and after the sale. They prepared professional marketing materials and gave us samples of everything. They provided ongoing updates on who has seen the house and their feedback. Their communications skills were exceptional. At no time did I ever think they forgot about us or that they're not doing what they promised.

They negotiated very well and we were pleased with the sales price. After the sale, they presented us with a thank you gift. They stayed in touch via occasional phone calls and notes/mailings until we moved out of state.

Took care of details. We had listed our house and moved to another city. Our realtor kept us apprised of the activity. She requently visited the property, noted some wood rot in the garage door, asked for permission to get it repaired and handled it. She always made sure the house was in show condition. And got us a really good offer. After the sale, she would call us occasionally even though we lived in a different city.

And now that I think of it, it seems that the good realtors have the same common denominators and that they stayed in touch!

Comments (6)

Wendy Rich-Soto, Realtor/Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, LA Harbor - San Pedro, CA
Getting you to your next with a zero failure rate!

That was a really great post!  I agree with you whole heartedly!  :-) 

Apr 07, 2011 08:46 PM
Phil Leng
Retired - Kirkland, WA
Phil Leng - Retired

Hi Pacita,

What a great description of what to do, and what not to do!

Especially from personal experience. I suggested this post.

Thanks

Phil

Apr 07, 2011 09:32 PM
Barbara Michaluk
Weichert Realtors | Phone Direct 240-506-2434 | 301-681-0550 office - Silver Spring, MD
Leisure World Specialist / Full Service REALTOR

Pacita, I always try to remember the positive way I was treated when buying a home prior to being a realtor myself. This is the way I treat my clients.

Apr 08, 2011 12:33 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Hello Pacita~ Great post.  I smiled when I got to the end of the post and read your final thoughts.  Good Realtors have the same common demoninators: professsional, friendly, prepared, good communication.  :-)

Apr 08, 2011 03:49 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Dress, speak, serve in the same manner you would wish to be treated....problem solved...too casual/critical is not a winning combination for new  business.

Apr 08, 2011 10:30 PM
Farooq Khan
5 Star Realty Partners - Newark, CA
Real Estate Broker/Owner - CDPE

Hi Pacita, Great post. Dress, First class service and professionalism is the key to success in Real Estate profession. You brought up excellent points for Real Estate professionals to keep in mind while servicing their clients..

Apr 10, 2011 05:14 AM