Interview with a New Home Buyer - Interesting Points Revealed

What's cool about hanging out in bars that you can meet the most interesting people.  My hubby and I were having drinks (actually, I think he pretty much involved in the Yankees game) on the tube the other night, when a gentleman showed up to my left.  I was introduced to him by the bartender as newly moved to this area.  He informed that he had just closed on his house.  Since, I was obviously not getting any conversation (other than an occasional grunt from hubby), I took the opportunity to engage the gentleman in some chat.  What I learned during that chat about the man's choices regarding agent, his method of house searching, and the potential that was there for making him a referral resource was so important, I thought I should share it with the agency that he used.  I also asked the man's permission to use some of his information in my real estate agent workshops.  I'll share just a tidbit here - interview style - paraphrasing his responses.

 Q:  How did you decide on the agency to use? 

 A:  I had rented from them during the summer.  I actually arrived in town and stopped at a local bait and tackle shop (since I'm a boater).  I figured they'd know of a good local rental agency.  They made a recommendation and I took it.  When I showed up to rent the house, it was obvious to the rental agent that I had forgotten my linens.  She supplied them to me without additional cost.  I never forgot it.  I came back and connected with an agent.

 Q:  How did you commence your home search?

 A:  Got a copy of the Homes Magazine and hit the Internet.  I assumed those agents who had visually appealing, well-organized ads in the magazine would also have good sites with more information.  Not true.  Not a one of them had a user-friendly site.  The searches were too complicated -- too many forms to fill out to get information.  I became frustrated with overload of insignficant information.

 Q:  How did you end up with the house you now have?

A:  Though my agent was looking, I found the house, myself -- that was just right - exactly where I wanted it -- and the price had just dropped.

 I think most agents realize their clients start on the Internet with their search.  I'm not sure how many realize their clients continue that search on their own.  Also, there's the issue that I hear a lot about real estate web sites being user "unfriendly" and poorly developed.  In this particular case, the client never even bothered to check the site of the company he had engaged to help him find a home, as he already made his choice about using them. Had he not had reason to choose this company, he most likely would not have given them a second thought had he relied on web site comparisons.  Company sites and individual agent sites are critical in today's market.  Well, there was so much in this conversation that is useful in a general way - you can be sure I'll use it in my teleseminars and workshops.  And, while I know some of you take time to do "post buying interviews" with your clients or stay connected for relationship-building-- maybe some of you don't.  I'm not a real estate pro, so I can get away with a bit more than you could in a conversation.  But, maybe what I've shared here may give one or two of you a perspective from a client's viewpoint that you hadn't realized.