I don't know why, this topic gets under my skin. (I know, you're still waiting for the 2nd part of Mysteries of Marketing...don't worry, it's coming!!)

When you are selecting an agent to help with one of the biggest financial decisions to sell, buy, or invest in real estate, what is your criteria?

I sure hear a lot of agents who say that "I've lived in this area all my life," which is great. But is that a good reason for a client to list or purchase through them? Maybe that's one reason, but there are other factors to consider.

For instance, I know there are about a million dentists in the South Bay. If they have been in dentistry all of their adult working life, are they still practicing the same old way as 20 years ago? Not on my teeth! If someone is going to be drilling in my teeth, I'd like to know that they take time to read the latest dentistry trends, take continuing education to keep up on the latest tools and technology for providing a more efficient, comfortable experience for his or her customers.

I'd also like to know that they enjoy learning and staying on the cutting edge to be the first to implement new ways to work with the public. I like my dentist, Dr. Ray Padilla, because he does that. And he teaches courses to other dentists at UCLA, so he also gives back what he knows to help further the new ideas and new ways. Not only do they take good care of my teeth at Dr. Padilla's office, they also served me a snack tray of fruit and a nutrition bar before the did the work because I mentioned I was hungry! My husband who recently visited Dr. Padilla was also impressed that each staff member shook his hand upon entry. It's the little things that make me want to refer Dr. Padilla whenever someone I know needs a dentist!

Back to real estate, what does the agent you are currently working with (or thinking about working with) offer you as far as technology? Are they afraid of it, and ignoring it hoping it will go away? Do they complain that they "have" to attend this new training or seminar? Well, they just might learn something new that would help make their business better to help their clients better. Is that a bad thing?

We get so caught up in doing the basics of our business, that we forget to stand back and look at the big picture and consider a few questions: why am I doing what I do? can I do it better? is there a way to do it more efficiently? what do industry experts do that works? are there things I do that aren't effective and I should drop them from my repertoire?

For me as a real estate agent, my job is to make the process of selling or buying a home as efficient and stress-free as possible. I am reading the latest real estate tech magazines, such as Realtor Magazine, RIS Media, etc. I use eSignatures (which saves time and stress for buyers & sellers), online contracts, and as much online as I can get my hands on (I have been ordering my groceries online for about 5 years now!). Okay, so not all of my clients are that keen on all of this online stuff. But once I show them how to do it, they love it! Can you imagine eSignatures where you don't have to print anything or fax it back? You can just do it online with an internet connection. It's safe, legal, and simple to use.

I hope this helps, and of course if you have any questions, new ideas, or things that help you run an efficient office, I'd love to hear from you!I'm always looking for new ways to improve my client experience when they sell or buy real estate through me.

Have a blessed day!