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I AM CHANGING CAREER FOCUS

By
Real Estate Agent with Austin Texas Homes

For most of my Real Estate Career I have acted primarily in the capacity of a "buyers agent". I really do love helping buyers. Everything about this focus has been very fulfilling and I plan to continue to help buyers. 

Over the past few months I have poured considerable energies, time and finances into acquiring listings and working as a "sellers agent". Let me take a moment to expound on what is driving the re-focus. 

Many agents have been taught and believe that to be successful over the long haul in Real Estate you must become a listing agent. Our brokerage's long term success working with buyers proves that it is very possible to succeed in real estate working primarily with buyers. 

So what is driving my personal re-focus? The short answer is: Other Listing Agents. Working as a buyers agent has given me a unique perspective of what sellers are facing with their representation: Phone calls not returned, emails ignored, status changes on listings left active weeks after an offer has been accepted, listings that have incorrect information rendering my screen searches useless, homes that are on the market but not market ready in any way shape or form, I am finding it increasingly difficult to get in touch with listing agents. Often the email on their listing goes to their office, the phone number is also their brokerage office and they never seem to be there. 

There is also a compete unwillingness by many to make my job as a buyers agent any easier. They want me to drive the contract or application to their office, they do not want to meet or talk with me in person. 

I want to say that several of the listing agents I have worked with are doing an excellent job for their clients. It is such a joy to work with a great listing agent. As time passes that experience of working with a great listing agent seems to be less and less the case. 

There seems to be an open niche in the market and that is driving my re-focus. Since starting this direction two months ago I have taken two listings, one has sold and the other goes on the market JUNE 1st. I am also working with some clients who will list in the next couple of weeks probably second week in June. 

 

Here is my promise when you list with Alan in Austin: 

-I will help you get your home ready to market

-I will answer my phone and follow up on every lead

-I will meet personally with every buyers agent who wants to meet

-I will market your home to buyers who are active in the market place

-I will make sure your home is visible nationally to buyers as well as reagionally

-I will present every offer to you immediately and give you all the information you need to make an informed decision.

-I will regularly talk to you giving you updates on what is happening in the market place.

-I will update the status on your listing immediately so every interested party will know.

-It will be easy for interested buyers agents or customers to reach me, my email and phone contact are visible everywhere and they come directly to me not an office manager or answering service. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am ready to serve you!

 

Alan Kirkpatrick
Austin Texas Homes - Round Rock, TX
Alan in Austin

Mike: you hit the nail on the head.

Debbie: Thanks and same to you have a wonderful weekend. 

Marylin: My theory is there are a lot o part time Realtors who have demanding full time jobs as a result it is difficult for them to give the time needed to a listing. 

Joanna: Agree

Ronald: Nice to hear. Let me know how things go for you.

Sharon: Appreciate your comments. I am puzzeled at times why Realtors make it so difficult to reach them after they post a listing. If their clients new they would not be happy. 

May 23, 2013 05:58 AM
Kevin Ray
Resident Realty - Aurora, CO
REALTOR & U.K. Real Estate Consultant

I wish you the very best of luck Alan!!! Go kick some ass!!!

May 23, 2013 06:15 AM
Jimmy Faulkner
Florida. Homes Realty & Mortgage - Wantagh, NY
The Best Of St. Augustine

People list with their family & friends who are not full time in the real estate business so the outcome is inevitable. This is a business that gets little respect because of the type of people that are driven to it.

May 23, 2013 06:46 AM
Melissa Zavala
Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA
Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

Sounds like you are heading your business in a good direction. Keep us posted on your success.

May 23, 2013 09:05 AM
Alan Kirkpatrick
Austin Texas Homes - Round Rock, TX
Alan in Austin

Kevin: Thanks. Will do

Jim: That, unfortunately is sometimes the case.

Melissa: Will do. Have a great weekend.

Erica: You see much of what I have been seeing.

May 23, 2013 11:43 AM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Alan, congrats on moving in a different direction. Your perspective as a buyer's agent will help you to be a great listing agent! Sharon

May 23, 2013 11:54 AM
Michael Blue
Home Smart Realty West - Encinitas, CA
REALTOR - 760-889-8877, Encinitas/Carlsbad
The one thing with listings, you have a contract. I know buyers too sign contracts but not every one of them as sellers do. Many agents dont answer phones for se reason. Smart phones can take calls, emails and text messages. If an agent will not answer the phone, I know I might like working with them.
May 23, 2013 12:34 PM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Good for you, Alan!  Having the perspective of a Buyer's Broker will help you as a Listing Agent.  Best of luck to you!

May 23, 2013 12:38 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

This is a very interesting post.  I am inclined to got in the same direction.  It seems that buyers want all the services of a buyer's agent, but they don't want to pay.  I am not sure what is causing this shift, but it definately is the norm.

May 23, 2013 01:23 PM
Alan Kirkpatrick
Austin Texas Homes - Round Rock, TX
Alan in Austin

Sharon: Thanks so much.

Michael: Disagree completely. Would you buy a car from a guy who treated you that way. We are professionals if you can't look me in the eye and give me your best and final you need to find a new job.

Fred: I agree. Have a great weekend.

Joan: I have had very good experienes for the most part with buyers but I know what you mean there are times when I think we just need to say NO even as a listing agent we should not accept every job. 

May 23, 2013 01:40 PM
Laura Allen, Lake Tahoe - Truckee Real Estate for Sale TahoeLauraRealEstate.com
Coldwell Banker Realty, Tahoe City, CA (530) 414-1260 - Tahoe City, CA
Tahoe Real Estate Agent Helping Buyers and Sellers

Alan - Great reasons to become a listing agent.  I hope other agents that are out there that are not being professional, not returning calls and email messages are paying attention - someone what wants to provide great customer service is coming after your job!!!

May 23, 2013 02:06 PM
Alan Kirkpatrick
Austin Texas Homes - Round Rock, TX
Alan in Austin

Laura: Thanks for the encouragment your words are timely. Have a wonderful weekend. 

May 23, 2013 02:11 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I can say that I've been there and it ebbs and flows, but YOU WILL GET THOUGH if you make the effort I think. :)

 

Love and light,

Laura

May 23, 2013 02:44 PM
Kevin Henry
Henry Realty - Fort Wayne, IN

This is true not only in your area but in mine also. I have been thinking about going all in myself.

May 23, 2013 08:35 PM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance
Alan, you will see your listing business grow as a result of your efforts by just following the 'Golden Rule'. Too many listing agents just don't communicate, particularly the REO listing agents. There doesn't seem to be any interest by the banks to review the service level of the contractors that represent them....NOT GOOD BUSINESS!
May 23, 2013 09:46 PM
Alan Kirkpatrick
Austin Texas Homes - Round Rock, TX
Alan in Austin

Laura: Sound advice. Thanks

Kevin: I hear you loud and clear. Go out and make a difference and have a wonderful week.

Norman: Sad but true. I think a lot of brokers need to be a little more active in seeing how their agents are doing business. 

May 24, 2013 12:25 AM
Bryan Robertson
Los Altos, CA

I've always stood by the old "List to live" addage.  Having some control over your fate helps with you have listings.

May 24, 2013 04:17 AM
Alan Kirkpatrick
Austin Texas Homes - Round Rock, TX
Alan in Austin

Bryan: What is driving me is not financial but more customer service. I have had listings over the years most from clients I served as buyers first. I know the listing contract is just paper. If I do not preform and get their home sold they will move on to someone who will. There is really no more security in listing than in representing buyers.We are providing a service and I hope to be among those who are providing great service. 

May 24, 2013 04:40 AM
Lloyd Binen
Certified Realty Services - Saratoga, CA
Silicon Valley Realtor since 1976; 408-373-4411

Alan, good luck with your re-direction.  No doubt your experience with buyers will make you a better listing agent. I've always focused on listings because I can make more money listing than selling and I like making money.  In my marketplace Sellers are accustomed to signing an employment contract called a listing agreement and buyers are not accustomed to signing buyer-brokerage contracts.  I started in 1976 and have always preferred working with an employment contract because my family relied upon me to bring home the bacon.   

May 24, 2013 04:12 PM
Alan Kirkpatrick
Austin Texas Homes - Round Rock, TX
Alan in Austin

Lloyd:

Thanks for the encouragement. Looking forward to it. 

May 24, 2013 04:21 PM