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A Tale Of Two Agents - And Are You Doing All You Can For Your Client?

By
Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster Real Estate Companies- Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania

There are many agents in my office. This is a story of two of them.

Agent #1 - I see them in the office on a fairly regular basis, not all the time, but enough to have a relationship. They come by, they talk to a number of agents, and agents in the office generally know what their listings are like, and quite often, since they participate in the office caravan, many agents have been in the house.

Agent #2 - I know them by name only. The only reason I would recognize them is that I looked them up on the company website. They have listings, I'm sure, but I know nothing about them.

Now, I know we are independent contractors, and I know that many of us work from home, and that's great. And I want to pre-empt my next comment with the statement that I am not advocating the steering of clients and/or buyers to certain listings or agents.

But I can tell you that when I have a buyer, and they give me their criteria, the agents that I know, the agents that talk up their listings with their fellow agents, those listings are in the back of my mind, subconciously percolating there, and if my buyers needs can be met by one of them, there you go. It might just get thrown into the mix.

The agent who I never see, the one who has no relationship with the agents in their office, I know nothing about you or your listings. Nothing is percolating. I still might find it on the MRIS when I do my search, but I might not.

We talk about our "Sphere of Influence." Lets not forget that our fellow agents can fall into that category.

Kevin McGrath

The Wallace & McGrath Team

Coldwell Banker Elite

"Selling Homes In The Fredericksburg Virginia Area"

www.fredva.com

 

Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Hi Kevin,

I understand your post, and I understand your SOI concern.

I am only speaking for myself. Things make everything a lot more accessible these days.

I have owned my own companies and I think I would not hire a salesperson, speaking for myself, if I could always get a hold of them at there office. I would want them out there selling.

On the other hand, I think people get frustrated when they cannot get a hold of someone that instant.

Getting to know someone does help in the way you perceive their sales ability. I personally like the idea of being able to see the folks that have become my friends at my office.

I hope you have a super 2008

sincerely

Tom Braatz

Nov 27, 2007 12:54 AM
Vincent McKamy
Samson Properties - Fredericksburg, VA
Realtor Fredericksburg Virginia

Good Posting Kevin,

I am the same way - I have those houses in the back of my mind. I think if you are going to work from home you still have to get out and network through-out your office and other offices.  I think this not only helps you sell your listings but also gives you great ideas on how to sell your listings.

 

Nov 27, 2007 12:58 AM
Nancy Moeller
Seven Gables Real Estate - Anaheim Hills, CA
Yes, it's hard to spend time in the office for us, but we like to attend training events with other Realtors to network and gain useful information. Thanks for the post.
Nov 27, 2007 01:04 AM
Chris Pollinger
Berman & Pollinger, LLC. - San Diego, CA
Consulting for Luxury Teams and Brokerages
People sometimes forget how small the world of real estate can be.  Even with the influx of agents in the roaring 2000's those that were actually productive is a fairly small group.  A little good will goes a long way.
Nov 27, 2007 01:13 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
I preview listings that are relevant for my client no matter who the listing agent is.  Yes it is nice when you see a familiar name as the listing agent and it is always great to be able to work with someone we know.  I've been in both types of offices where the agents are around all the time and where they aren't and can tell you it doesn't make any difference whether you know someone or not to our buyers.  Sometimes it is easier to negotate with a "stranger" than it is with a someone you know and see every day. 
Nov 27, 2007 01:29 AM
Matthew Zgonc
Aksland Real Estate - Modesto, CA
Realtor, CFS, CVS
Good post Kevin.  I fall into the category of working from home, but I try to be at the office as much as possible.
Nov 27, 2007 01:47 AM
Stacy Magid
Century 21 New Millennium - Woodbridge, VA

I go into the office almost everyday and notice that the ones that produce in our office are also there every day.  When they are not at the office it's because they are working with a client.  I try to send out a brochure to our office when I have new listings and it has definitely helped get some showings.  Since we have 4 offices I tend to go to the other offices as well and know many of the agent there.

Another thing that I have learned is if you aren't at the office and the broker has a potential lead, you won't get it if you're not there.

 

Nov 27, 2007 11:53 AM
Kevin McGrath
Long & Foster Real Estate Companies- Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania - Fredericksburg, VA
Long & Foster Real Estate Companies

Stacy - good point about he leads. Business is business; I'll take it anyway I can ethically get it.

Mathew - I like to work from home too. One of the great things about this business. I am fortunate that I work about 1/2 mile from my office, so I can split my time fairly easily.

Cindy - I hear you about the negotiating thing. I was more thinking along the lines of getting a clients listing in front of more agents. Good point though.

Chris - I think you said it - we forget how smallu the world of real estate can be.

Nancy - Personally - I think training events are a great time to network - great point.

Tom - good point about having them out there selling. I was more thinking along the lines of at least stopping by and networking, not so much being in the office all the time, but a great point. I t can easliy go to the other extreme.

Vincent - You were actually the inspiration for this post - as far as I am concerned you are the king of networking in our office.

Nov 27, 2007 04:38 PM