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Job Security for this Portland Exclusive Buyers Agent

By
Industry Observer with RETIRED / State License is Inactive Inactive License Oregon

Job Security for this Portland Exclusive Buyers Agent

This week was spent showing property.  A lot of property, as a Portland Exclusive Buyers Agent my office doesn't take listings.  Showing property is a huge part of the overall service provided as a Portland exclusive buyers agent

The Internet has opened up the ability for customers / consumers / client to view listings online.  But there will always be the need to tour the property.  As a Portland Exclusive Buyers Agent I know that we have to tour the home in order to really discern.  While the Internet provides useful information and photos, there will always be a need to tour homes.  I call this "job security."

These are not my comments, but comments made by my clients as I represented them in Portland as their Exclusive Buyers Agent:

  • The listing sheet information isn't always accurate.

DUH!!  The lisitng sheet was showing that there was a 2nd bedroom in the "L"ower level . . . slight problemo:  There was NO lower level.

  • The photos make the home seem so nice.

This particular property seemed lovely from the photos.  Light and bright.  Clean and organized.  When we toured, it was nothing at all like the photos.  Dark, cluttered, and very unkept.  You couldn't "SEE" the house -- it was just so gloomy. 

  • The map didn't show how narrow the street really is.

Correct.  The map only places a pinpoint of where the property is, but doesn't show the street.   Are there sidewalks?  Is the street narrow?  Can guests park near the home? 

  • The listing says 3 baths, not 2 baths and a partial.

As a Portland Exclusive Buyers Agent I find this most annoying.  I have to explain the "reasoning" for why that might have been entered into the listing that way: new agent doesn't know from baths?!?

And there are a host of other things that ensure this Portland Exclusive Buyers Agent has "job security": lay out / floor plans, the true relationship of room sizes, where rooms are located, the flow of the house, easy access to the backyard, easy access to the home from the garage (are there steps up?), etc.

Yes, I love being a Portland Exclusive Buyers Agent and showing properties.  The ONLY way to really know if it's the house for you is to get out with your agent and tour!

Posted by

 

 

Carla Muss-Jacobs has RETIRED effective May 1, 2018

Representing Buyers in the Portland Metro Real Estate Market | Clackamas Multnomah and Washington Counties | Since 1999

Carla Muss-Jacobs, REALTOR®, ABR, CEBA, ePro
Principal Broker/Owner ~~ INACTIVE

Carla Muss-Jacobs' retirement became effective May 1, 2018

Direct: 503-810-7192 

 

All Rights Reserved © 

Comments (17)

Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

Carla,

As a buyer's agent you bring so much value to your clients. You have toured thousands of homes so you know how to compare amenities, location, floorplans and a myriad of resale factors.

May 21, 2011 03:24 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

With all the homes you toured this busy week you should have a fantastic handle on what's available for more buyers. :) 

May 21, 2011 03:30 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Carla, good to know you're doing such a great job for buyers in Portland.  Where did our sunshine go?  Have a good weekend.

May 21, 2011 03:30 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

You bet. I spend many hours every week previewing.  No one, absolutely no one knows my market area better than I.

No photos in the MLS.  No problem.  I shot them yesterday, sent them to a buyer last evening and she decided she didn't even want to see the house. 

How much valuable time with a buyer did that save me.  A lot. 

 

May 21, 2011 03:37 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Great post Carla.  Gotta know your market like Lenn says.

May 21, 2011 03:53 AM
Kathryn Maguire
GreatNorfolkHomes.com (757) 560-0881 - Chesapeake, VA
Serving Chesapeake, Norfolk, VA Beach

A good buyer's agent is worth their weight in gold and can make a huge difference in the purchase process.  (And have you seen the price of gold lately?  Job security indeed!)

May 21, 2011 03:55 AM
Karen Crowson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Rancho Bernardo, CA
Your Agent for Change

When a buyer has an agent that really knows the market, they can help them get the house they want. We know already if the house is priced under market and will attract multiples.  Or about the planned transportation hub that will impact that neighborhod eventually, but isn't there for them to see yet.  Or know the property is a flip before we even walk in the door.  Buyer's agents are indeed worth their weight in gold.

May 21, 2011 06:32 AM
Barbara Hensley
RE/MAX Properties - Rockwall, TX
Homes for Sale in Rockwall County, Texas

Carla - listening to our clients is a great tutorial for us.  The Internet presentation is important and show show the home in its best light, but no over promote so that the actual showing is a disappointment.

May 21, 2011 07:54 AM
Scott Hayes
(512) 786-8300 - Austin, TX
Realty Austin, Broker Associate

I like any sentence that begins with Duh! My sis in law is in town from Portland, and I was telling her about this great (and blunt) buyers agent I know, who was on tv a few months ago.

Hmm, I wonder who that was.

May 21, 2011 01:10 PM
Anonymous
Mike Crowley

Another great Exclusive Buyer Agent, keep it up Carla.  Hope all is going well in Portland, I want to get down there soon, it has been too many years since I have visited a McMinamins Pub (spelling?).

May 21, 2011 02:53 PM
#10
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Hi Dave . . . Gosh, putting it that way . . . :-)  Thanks Dave!!

Hey Tammy -- there are some very nice properties!  I saw quite a few . . .

Hi Debb . . .yeah, where did it go??  I have relo buyers from TX this week and I think they took the sun back with them.

Hey Lenn -- I believe it!! You are one smart and knowledgeable cookie!!

Hi Paula . . . absolutely.

Hey Kathryn -- prices are through the roof . . . gold prices that is!! :-)

Hi Karen . . . yes, there's some many nuances to this job.  It's not just about opening the door with the key!!

Hey Barbara -- I've seen some of those properties, kinda like the blind date (looks good in the photo, but open the door . . . YIKES)

Hi Scott . . . LOL, you crack me up.  I wondered why my ears were ringing today :-)

Hey Mike -- all's well in Portland!  I know who you're talking about, I've got the same spelling with their name too LOL

 

May 21, 2011 05:26 PM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Too back the MLS sheets weren't a little more accurate right? But, you can't expect to buy a house from the listing sheet.  As you say, you've got to go inside to see if it's for you.

May 22, 2011 07:30 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Carla:  As a former appraiser, I can tell you ... this doesn't even make me blink.  As I'm sure you know, you never take the information on a listing sheet as gospel.  Sometimes I wondered when reading other appraisers reports (for a home I had done prior or was presently viewing) if we were even viewing and appraising the same property.  Nothing replaced seeing it for yourself ... and measuring it for yourself, as well ...

Gene

May 22, 2011 03:31 PM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

There is nothing like working with an agent that knows their area! Buyers figure it out real quick too.

May 22, 2011 05:41 PM
Melissa Zavala
Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA
Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

This perception is that the Internet has all the latest and greatest listing info available to all. But buyer's agents bring incredible value--more than many clients realize.

May 25, 2011 05:26 AM
Andi Grant
310-508-4354 | FirstTimeHomeBuyerRealEstate.com - Los Angeles, CA
Helping 1st time buyers and home sellers in LA!

Who has the most to lose in a real estate transaction the buying side or selling side?  Well in MY opinion it's the side giving up the ($) and not necessarily the side that's taking the money and running.

With that said, I will NEVER understand buyer's blowing off professional representation.  Buyer's agents are needed to sift through the crap for the buyers whether it's during the home search, the negotations, the inspections, and the slew of other things that crop up. 

 

May 25, 2011 07:35 AM
Thom Abbott
MyMidtownMojo.com |770.713.1505 | Intown Atlanta GA Condo Living - Atlanta, GA
Midtown Atlanta GA Condos For Sale

Carla...I do both Buyers and Sellers, but it is important to know your market.

I'm way behind on my weekly plan of previewing property....need to get that game stepped up indeed!

Jul 21, 2011 03:16 AM