6 Tips For Home Buyers On How To Get The Most From Their Realtor
A colleague asked me today for thoughts on buyer loyalty.
Unless and until a buyer has worked with me for awhile they really have no clue how hard I will work for them. I can really only work hard with 3-4 buyers each month, so, unless I am a fool, this means I should invest my time with buyers who are ready, willing, able to buy and are loyal. Any reasonable person would do the same. Further any "REASONABLE" buyer would not go to work each day without knowing that at the end of the week they would get paid. We cannot of course, simply tell that to a prospect and the fact is most of our prospective buyers have no clue how we are paid. It is, therefore, up to us to develop the skillset necessary to diplomatically educate them on how our profession works. If they are reasonable people, they will understand.
I found this great article which I'm re-blogging, with permission, [below]. Nina Hollander, a Carolinas realtor, effectively shows a buyer not only how to get the most from their realtor, but I'd venture to say that you could even forward this article to any new buyer you are working with. It should help them understand that we are not greedy mercenary pigs, but rather hardworking realtors who want to get paid for our time. There is nothing unreasonable about that, but it's all how the matter is presented.
If we bluntly tell them we only work with a prospect who has a signed buyer agreement, we risk losing them before they even vet us thoroughly. If we come off as self important that's a no win situation as well. BUT, if we kindly point out that "there's only so much of me to go around" and I will happily run hither and yon, and scour the market for you, then perhaps we can win their loyalty. If not, we move on.
Thanks to Nina for this great article.
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6 Tips For Home Buyers On How To Get The Most From Their Realtor
Getting great service from your Realtor isn't a matter of luck. There are things home buyers can do to help their agent provide the very best service. Buyers who understand how the real estate business and agents work will definitely have an edge in getting the most from their Realtor. Here are 6 tips for home buyers on how to get the most from their Realtor:
- Be Loyal: top agents will work harder for loyal buyers who are committed to working with them. If you go to an open house on your own, or cal a For-Sale-By-Owner, or respond to an ad, or visit a new home sales center, be sure to disclose the fact that you are working with and agent and with whom. Don't work with more than one agent at a time... word gets around and you may find that all the agents "drop" you. Top agents will typically not work with buyers who don't sign an exclusive buyer agency agreement with them.
- Know Your Priorities: before you start looking at homes with an agent, you should make a list of your needs, wants, priorities and then discuss them at length with your agent. Make sure you know what your non-negotiables are in a home. Doing this upfront will help your agent focus in, laser-like, on the right neighborhoods and properties for you. And you'll both not waste a lot of time looking at homes that will never suit.
- Be Open-Minded: experienced agents may well be showing you houses that at first glance don't appear suitable... but if you look closer they might just be perfect. Your agent can help you figure out how to make an unappealing home become your dream home... but you need to use your imagination and you need to be open-minded.
- Communicate What You Like and Dislike: top agents won't take offense if you communicate clearly what does or doesn't appeal about specific homes, neighborhoods, etc. Afterall, it's not their house you're critiqueing! Open, honest feedback will help your agent pinpoint the right homes for you. And while we look for non-verbal cues from our clients, we are not mind-readers!
- Be Ready To Act Fast: top agents will put clients who are ready, willing, and able to buy at the top of their priority list in terms of attention and responsiveness. If you're still at the "just looking" stage and not ready to do much for six or more months, don't expect your agent to jump at the drop of a hat to show you homes on a weekend... more than likely your agent will allocate that time to serious buyers ready to make a more immediate purchasing decision and commitment. And don't forget to be honest up-front with your agent as to your timing.
Follow these 6 tips for home buyers on how to get the most from their Realtor and you'll enjoy world-class service and attention from your agent.
Planning to buy a home in the Charlotte metro area soon? Contact Carolinas Realty Partners... we can help you find your dream home.
Nina Hollander
Broker, Realtor, CRS, GRI, ABR, SRES, CDPE, SFR, SPS
Carolinas Realty Partners/Keller Williams Realty
Direct: 704-779-0813
Website: www.GreatHomesInCharlotte.com
Blog: www.BestCharlotteHomesForSale.com
Search for Charlotte Area Homes: www.HomesInCharlotteArea.com2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 Charlotte Magazine 5-Star Customer Satisfaction Award Winner
Oh by the way, I'm never too busy for any of your referrals!
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