Special offer

I'm A Professional.....Not A Beauty Pageant Contestant

By
Real Estate Agent with Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 BRE# 01494165

 

 

I wonder if consumers really understand why they should work with a specific real estate agent. I spend time on the Internet reading comments and questions which seem to indicate that one agent is the same as another.

Anything from shopping for the best commission rate to using many agents depending upon their availability on a given day. It seems they view us as competing for their business and that we need to jump through hoops...or lose.

I don't think it should work like that!

A solid real estate agent is worth their weight in gold!!! Think about it! The consumer is making one of the largest financial decisions of their lives....and they are doing it based on who is free at the last minute on a Saturday afternoon?

Do you wonder why this agent is available last minute on a Saturday afternoon? Does that worry you?

Ok, that wasn't fair. But neither is using one agent on Tuesday and another one on Friday. If that is the game plan, the good agents who do not need to beg for business are going to leave, and then you will get the bottom of the barrel ones. Remember grandma telling you "if you don't value yourself....no one else will"? Well....real estate is a serious business and a good agent takes it seriously.

Choose an agent the way you would any other professional; Interview, research, consider carefully. Now if you'll excuse me I need to prepare for the swimsuit competition. (sigh)

Comments(16)

Rita Fong
RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 - Marion, AR
Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale

Karen, unfortunately that's how most consumers are, not just towards real estate.  It is like their time is important and others not.  It is about them, and no one else.

Aug 31, 2011 04:47 AM
Daniel J. Hansmeier
Rochester, MN

So true. As a newer agent I'm dealing with this problem all the time.

Aug 31, 2011 04:47 AM
Malcolm Johnston
Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate LTD., Trenton, Ontario - Trenton, ON
Trenton Real Estate

Yeas, many people do seem to think that we should be able to jump through hoops to be their agent. I can happily say that those days are over for me.

Aug 31, 2011 04:48 AM
Karen Feltman
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA KW Legacy Group - Cedar Rapids, IA
Relocation Specialist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Great post! Just like the houses we market, it is a "pricing war and beauty contest" so get in there and get that bikini wax before the swimsuit competition! Have a great day.
Aug 31, 2011 04:50 AM
Kay Boaz
Real Living Evergreene Properties - Ashburn, VA

Great Post. I see that happen a lot with agents that cut their commission in half sometimes for the client, which only devalues them as an agent. Maybe starting out we are eager to please, but sometimes the line has to be drawn. Thanks Karen!

Aug 31, 2011 04:52 AM
Linda Urbick
RealtyOne Group - San Ramon, CA
Selling San Ramon Valley - 925-786-5132

You are right on such a large purchase the last thing buyers should care about is the commission we earn. You get what you pay for we all know that and if a buyer wants to pay less -- and the agent agrees--watch out for the service - some of it may be absent.

Aug 31, 2011 05:41 AM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

Well said - good thought about telling clients who do this that they don't "value themselves."  Makes sense.

Aug 31, 2011 06:09 AM
Krystal Knott
Christie's International Real Estate - Summit Colorado - Breckenridge, CO
Breckenridge CO Real Estate & All Summit County CO

Karen, what a great post!  I feel the person that jumps from realtor to realtor isn't a very viable client anyways.  Typically, we don't jump when someone calls and says they want to see something right now.  I have found that scheduling a time later that day or the next day gets the client to commit to you and makes them realize I am a person to that has a life outside of jumping when you say jump.  I think it is our responsibility to set the tone and ground rules for our relationships with clients.  --Krystal

Aug 31, 2011 06:22 AM
Marilyn Harrell
Better Homes and Acres - Beaverton, MI
Wixom Lake - Beaverton MI

the most important thing to me that you wrote here is "If you don't value yourself...no one else will" - thank you

Aug 31, 2011 07:29 AM
Deborah Byron Leffler BzyBee Real Estate Lady!
Keller Williams Realty Boise - Nampa, ID

I love this...and I have had to have a fierce conversation with a client who wanted me to jump high and far over and over...I told him that maybe it would be good if he found another agent but that the good ones were not going to be available at the drop of the hat!   

Aug 31, 2011 07:33 AM
Christine Smith
Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com - Canton, MA
Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA

Karen....very well said.  It is my preference to work with clients who understand the value of working with a professional.

Aug 31, 2011 02:54 PM
Donne Knudsen
Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA
CalState Realty Services

Karen - I like your grandma!  Reminds me of someone.....hmmm.  Anywho, I've said it before and I'll say it again, "until we respect ourselves, our business and our time, no one else will either".

Aug 31, 2011 04:42 PM
Mark Delgado
houses for rent, Solano County & Glen Cove - Benicia, CA
Benicia and Vallejo, Property Management, rental h
Very valid points. We see similar issues in property management. We kindly show those would-be clients to the door. It's just not with it.
Aug 31, 2011 05:06 PM
Charlie Ragonesi
AllMountainRealty.com - Big Canoe, GA
Homes - Big Canoe, Jasper, North Georgia Pros

You made me smile on one point the availability on Sat. So I get the call on friday and the people are pissed i cannot see them on Saturday. on the other had youare saying that if I can see them on Saturday they should not want to see me !!1 That is funny karen you made me laugh.

Sep 01, 2011 02:32 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

It's amazing how little regard some consumers give to their choice of real estate agent. 

Sep 01, 2011 03:12 AM
Kathy Schowe
California Lifestyle Realty - La Quinta, CA
La Quinta, California 760-333-8886

Great post... you get what you pay for, and if it seems to good to be true.  You were featured in my latest message to newbies-- thank you for all your great posts and for being such a great contributor to our AR community! 

Have a great weekend!  Kathy

 

Sep 02, 2011 05:28 PM