IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE... again... in How Realtors Treat Buyers

Dan Dee- Years ago when I was looking for a home I can remember our agent saying, in front of my husband and me, that "buyers are liars."  I also remember an agent who told us up front that they would show us no more than 6 homes and if we didn't choose from that, they were moving on.  Yes, I'd say they need to change. 

                                             Thank you Dan Dee McGinnis The Pumpkin Man 

Good morning Dan Dee McGinnis The Pumpkin Man ,

I'm so glad Kathy Streib  featured your post in her "Ah-ha" moments for the week! I missed your post and I agree..customers are looking for an agent who can serve them and provide them with guidance with professionalism. Excellent post!

Good morning Dan. The days of quality service are making a return! Being on time is critical, being brutally honest without being brutal and doing what you say you will do remind me of the old days! Enjoy your day! 

Dan Dee,

What a great post and well deserving of Kathy Streib Ah-ha selections.  We should all treat each other with respect and kindness, and not like an overassuming first date.  Thanks for this.  A

With RF & other discount companies RF promised that 0.5% buyer commission is returned to buyers. The discount brokers offer a profit sharing:

While most agents resist, some feel it is the cost of doing business. There is tax consequence as agents are expected to pay income tax on top of it. Best making it outlawed such these discounted volume agents go out of business. 

Hi Dan Dee McGinnis The Pumpkin Man - I am very impressed with the gift certificate guarantee! 

Giving customers "World Class Service" helps to set us apart from the others. My customers can get to know me personally at Sheri's Corner. This page also defines what they can expect from me. 

Even if a prospect is not qualified today, that is not to say they won't be qualified tomorrow...best to establish a relationship first, then see if we can help. And sometimes that help includes getting them with a lender who will work to get them qualified.  In other words, don't throw the baby out with the bath water. 

I like the gift card quarantee! Cool!

Hi Dan

Glad to see this featured by Kathy so many others will get to see it and comment.

I think it's too darn easy in this business to forget who the client, or the prospect, is and that it's all about them - their needs, wants, concerns. Our business is about service. Granted there are some out there who claim to be interested in buying or selling who really aren't, take advantage, distort, don't follow through, and so on, but taking time to learn and understand that individual's thoughts, questions and needs before jumping to conclusions or implying "this is what I will do, take it or leave it" goes a long way.

Jeff

Dan, I respectully disagree on the buyer's point #2.  My time, like yours, is very valuable to me.  There are several things I could be doing at any point in time, so yes I am going to pre-qualify a buyer who calls me.  I am not going to run out to show a million dollar home to someone who cannot afford it, has no desire to buy and is just curious to see the inside.  I am also not going to waste my time showing someone who is working with an agent who is unavailable to show it.

I've gotten the call to show a house now many times.  I ask: are you pre-qualified and if not have you started talking to a lender yet (if both of these are no I offer to introduce them to my preferred lender and meet with them once they get a verbal that they can afford it)? do you have a house to sell (and is it listed if you do)? Are you currently working with an agent?

If I like the answers, I'll meet with them.  No sense wasting my time if they aren't ready.

I like your attitude Dan Dee McGinnis The Pumpkin Man !!! And, your 3 promises! Great read and I'm glad Kathy Streib featured it in the "Ah-ha moments". I witness almost everyday young one's (25 - 35) who can and want to buy a home. The process is mind boggling and they seek someone they can trust to help them through the process... Trust is earned and that takes a little time and relationship. Their biggest complaint is, it's totally obvious the broker just wants the next deal. If they don't write up an offer by the 3rd conversation they're dropped like a cheap date... That hurts... It's not just college debt or having a job and still living at home. Most in this age group I know are very qualified and capable of purchasing. They're biggest challenge is finding someone (agent) to work with... 

I agree that it can be frustrating to get agents to answer the phone.  I called, texted and emailed an agent to show a house tonight.  It was vacant but I still wanted to make sure the house was still available and I could show it.  It took him several hours to finally text me back.  Which is good, at least he got back to me.  I have texted other agents that never respond to me and I need to call their office tomorrow to get a showing set up.  I won't enter a home that I don't have confirmation to show, vacant or not.  Great post.

I answer my phone and return missed calls asap. I do ask the questions to qualify buyers before showing houses but only to better serve not intimidate.

I agree we need to put our clients needs first during business hours, but I'll never start a buyer on his/her process without proof of funds or a pre-approval letter. There is a common sense sequence to buying a home that I did not invent, I am the pro, they need to follow the sequence to have the victory. A doctor examines you BEFORE he orders surgery and prescribes drugs.