New Agents - Compete or Collaborate?
Have you noticed a recent phenomenon brought about by an improving real estate market - new agents? For the past several years, it was the veteran or seasoned agents who have dominated the market - most of the part-time or less experienced agents didn’t have the resources to stay in the game.
However, during the past several weeks, two agents have brought buyers to a new construction project where I’m the listing agent. At first, I was puzzled by some of the questions, and their inability to grasp some of the basics, such as client management. Finally, I diplomatically asked them how long they’d been selling real estate.
One answered rather vaguely, from what I can surmise, she’s been at it less than a year. The other eagerly volunteered that he’s had his license for 2 months. I found his enthusiastic admission rather endearing. Regardless, I’m helping them both put together deals that protect all parties. ( Stressing to both, the need to run the details by their broker.)
We’re up against a critical time-line for one of the transactions, as the buyers want some custom changes to the plan. The drywall is scheduled to start soon, and some of those changes will become much more expensive. Therefore, due to her schedule, I had to write up the entire offer yesterday in order to get it to the buyers in time.
She assured me that she’d get it signed and back to me by late last night. A recent email inquiry, and subsequent response, suggests the offer is still waiting for her buyers signatures. Meanwhile, the builders are asking me if they should proceed as scheduled today, or hold off for the offer. What a dilemma!
The other offer is signed and will be arriving this morning. Last night, that agent and his buyers met with me for an explanation of the construction process and what they can anticipate. The agent openly asked me for advice and I helped him draft language to cover such issues as contingency time-lines. It was refreshing.
We should expect to work with many more new agents as the market continues to become more lucrative. Obviously, we can choose to help them, or stand by and watch them flounder. Personally, I’m not afraid of competition and feel it’s in my best interest to counsel or mentor when asked - regardless.
However, I already know which one of these agents I prefer working with, and who appears to have the brightest future - I'm certain you can guess which one.
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