E-harmony taught us from our TV screens about computer generated “compatibility factors” that lead to great love. What about “real estate love”? Can real estate buyers, sellers and agents find it and how?
No, unfortunately, I didn’t discover a new way to meet your life long partner, while shopping for a house. Did you stop reading right now☺? What I am talking about is how compatibility factors (expected in the romantic love) apply to real estate agents and clients. Taking the signs suggested by a relationship expert Krista Bloom, I created the real estate version of finding Mr./ Mrs. Right ...Buyer, Seller, Agent. 
Personal Compatibility
To me it means liking the person you are dealing with. Is it really needed in a professional relationship, such as between agents and clients? Shouldn’t an agent doing their job be enough? Perhaps, but …I find that the more compatible my clients and I are, the easier the buying/selling process is. If you can do business with the person you like, why settle for less?
If personal compatibility is important, how does a home buyer/seller go about finding it in an agent? Here is one suggestion - read their blog. I am glad the blog thing has been invented, for the task of compatibility search has just been made easy. Read agents’ blogs and see for yourself. Sorry, you won’t be able to do such “research” for agents who don’t have a blog.
Communication Compatibility
Communication is critical in real estate. The key here is for the agent to discover how the client wants to communicate, not how the agents wants to do it. I have seen clients eyes glaze over after a page of a Power Point, while others are happily devouring weekly statistical reports. I had clients who like all communications through e-mail, while others don’t have a computer (it does happen).
Communication style is also important. As a client, do you like being talked to, or talked with? Do you want to be told what to do, or offered alternatives? How can you find out ahead of time how the communication will unfold? Again, the blog can give you the clues.
Extended Family
Just like in a romantic relationship, family comes into play in real estate. An agent needs to be able to get along and communicate effectively not with one client, but most often two –a husband and wife. I have seen parents and children being involved in real estate transactions as well. Dealing with people with different styles, ideas and sometimes even objectives may not require a PhD in psychology, but certainly a very good understanding of people.
Financial Compatibility
How people spend money can sometimes undo the best of romantic loves. Agents and clients compatibility in this sense is much easier. Nevertheless, real estate transaction involves a significant financial commitment by the client, and should never be taken lightly by the agent. I try to understand the client’s financial position and views (relating to real estate), but never judge them, question them, or rush them.
The clients’ have their part in the financial compatibility with their agent. My clients understand that real estate is my job, and that it’s how I earn money. They do not mistake time spend finding them a house for charity or a hobby. This mutual financial respect makes for a happy “marriage”.
Life Style Compatibility
Common interests have been always a way people are drawn to each other. I am not a football fan, though many of my clients are. I am a soccer fan (aren’t all Russians?), but I haven’t found many such clients. So I look for some other common ground, and it always adds a positive dimension to my relationships.
Health & Nutrition
Did you notice how most titles have uneven numbers, for example -3 rules, 5 mistakes, 7 signs? Relating to real estate, this is what the last point does – it adds the required 7th item to the list☺. If you can come up with a way to tie this one to agents and clients, let me know in the comments.
For the couples in romantic relationships, apparently, health and nutritional compatibility are important, at least according to one expert. I will make sure to pass it on to my husband when he is helping himself to a 3d helping at our Valentines Day dinner.
Happy Valentines Day!
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Great blog - on the perfect day! Happy Valentines Day to you and yours.