Picasso and Working with a Real Estate Agent

A story is told about Picasso that has an application to working with a real estate agent.  The story goes that Picasso was dining at a restaurant and a patron asked if he would do a sketch for her.  Picasso obliged, quickly drawing a vignette of a couple of passing waiters.  When the lady reached for the completed piece, Picasso stated that she owed him $10,000.  She exclaimed that it only took him a few minutes to draw the sketch.  Picasso is claimed to have replied:  “No madam, it took me 50 years.” 

The point of the story is that the work of a professional can appear to a lay person as easy, when in fact the experience required obtaining that skill level often takes years to accomplish.  As a professional full-time Realtor ®, I am often confronted with similar reactions by the public as to what Picasso was said to have encountered in that restaurant.  

Understanding local real estate market dynamics is something that is gained with experience.  People know that the stock market is constantly fluctuating but often don’t stop to think how much the real estate market fluctuates.  Further there are so many factors that contribute to real estate market value; it requires a true professional to stay on top of and be able to ascertain the key aspects. 

Negotiating strategy and techniques is another key aspect to the services of a professional Realtor ®.  Effective negotiating is often necessary at several junctures in the process of buying and selling a home.  The purchase and sale of a home in most cases is the largest transaction that people engage in.  Thus it is in a home buyer or seller’s best interest to have the strongest negotiator on their side.

It is said that one is never afforded the opportunity to make another “first impression”.  Thus quality, professional marketing is a key aspect to showcase a home for sale.  This is another service offered by a professional Realtor ®, which can include professional photography, brochures, signage, website presence, staging services, social media marketing, print advertising and more.

So the bottom line is do you want an amateur handling your next real estate transaction or a professional?  Karen Briscoe and Lizzy Conroy are active and experienced Realtors ® in the Northern Virginia, Washington DC market place and would be delighted to assist whether for home buying or selling. 

The Huckaby Briscoe Group was recognized in September 2011 as one of the Wall Street Journal Top Real Estate Teams in the United States.  Please contact via the means most convenient for you:  www.HBCRealtyGroup.com, 703-734-0192, Homes@HBCRealtyGroup.com.