There's a simple practice that dramatically increases success.
Yesterday, Marshall & I met first time home buyers at a local Starbucks. They started their home search at the end of 2015 with a real estate agent that they hired and then fired. They asked us lots of questions but the one question that stands out was this-
"When I call or email you, how soon can I expect to hear from you?"
These young home buyers fired their real estate agent because she did not return their calls, texts or emails promptly. In fact, she would get back to them days later or not at all.
Does this sound crazy to you?
It's possible that the real estate agent was busy working with other clients but according to the home buyers, this went on for months. So it's more likely that not returning calls, texts and emails promptly is just a bad habit that cost her clients and ultimately money.
I'm writing about this because it's not the first time we've met home buyers who have shared this story. In fact, it's a common refrain. If you want to create one habit that will increase your success than promptly respond to your clients. Even if you don't have an answer to their question or time to talk on the phone,
let them know they are heard and that you will get back to them soon.
When people are buying a home, especially for the first time, they have lots of questions!
- What is a contingency?
- How many days do I have to review the condo documents?
- How do I evaluate a property?
- How do you get paid?
- What is an appraisal and how does it affect the value of a home?
These are all legitimate questions and home buyers deserve to have their questions answered in a timely manner. If you look at it from their point of view, they are financing the transaction and need to understand every step of the process.
By answering texts, calls and emails quickly, the home buying process can really be fun, and it should be!
After all, buying a home is the biggest investment most people make in a lifetime. It should be a fun and memorable experience!
Victoria Ray Henderson is Associate Broker & Vice President of Buyer's Edge
4849 Rugby Avenue Bethesda Maryland 20814
office 301.657.1475 cell 301.922.1677
Member of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents
much appreciated!
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