Home > Blogs > Carol Williams > Carol Williams' Real Estate Marketing and Goal Setting Blog

How Do Buyers Choose A Real Estate Agent?

By Carol Williams

Education & Training with Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals.

December 16, 2016 01:00 AM

"No amount of money will buy you credibility. You have to earn it."
-Carol Williams

ActiveRain Rainmaker Lyn Sims posted a link today in the Q&A section, The link led to The Zillow Group Report On Consumer Housing Trends. Regardless of your opinion of Zillow, I encourage you to read this report, published 10/18/2016.

The one thing that jumped out at me was that local market knowledge was at the top of the list of how buyers choose their agent. This is a subject I pound into my clients.

You MUST be a local real estate market expert.

Blogging is one of the best ways to create the credibility and trust that will put you at the top of the list when prospects are selecting an agent to represent them.

Study up. Blog on...

Re-Blog

Comments(44)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

John Dotson

Preferred Properties of Highlands, Inc. - Highlands, NC - Highlands, NC

The experience to get you to the other side!

Your title hooked me! Yes everyone wants to know they are dealing with a professional, knowlegeable agent but there are plenty of other factors. I am sure most of us could write a book on the different "quirks" of buyers and what makes them come to the table.

Dec 17, 2016 08:44 AM

Will Hamm

Aurora, CO
Carol Williams

Wenatchee, WA

Brian DeYoung

also affiliated with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Heritage Realty - Ithaca, NY

The Realtor with personal investment background

I love the credibility quote.

Dec 17, 2016 01:12 PM

Will Hamm

Aurora, CO

Marte Cliff

Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID

Your real estate writer

That report was interesting, even though I'm not an agent.

I have to wonder... since so few buyers find an agent due to postcards, letters, etc., is that because they don't pay attention to mailings, or because so very few agents prospect through the mail for buyers?

Dec 17, 2016 04:15 PM

Carol Williams

Wenatchee, WA

Carol Williams

Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA

Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Marte Cliff ,
I noticed that too. I know many agents, such as Barbara Todaro , use direct mail very effectively. Here is my theory: I believe direct mail is very effective if done consistently over the long term. One or two mailings... or sporadic mailings will be a waste of money... and that is what most agents do. They stop and say it doesn't work. My humble opinion.

Dec 18, 2016 08:57 AM

Will Hamm

Aurora, CO

Marte Cliff

I agree Carol. I remember an agent I worked with who told me I was wasting my time typing prospecting letters. He'd tried it and it didn't work. I found out later he'd mailed one letter to one prospect.

People who test such things say that it takes at least 5 "touches" to attract a cold prospect. After that, the success rate goes up with each successive touch.

Meanwhile, I sell far more seller prospecting letters than buyer letters. Could be that it's harder to find addresses for prospective buyers!

Dec 18, 2016 09:26 AM

Carol Williams

Your experience is what I believe too Marte Cliff . Everyone is told to "list to last", so I'm not surprised at your sales of seller / buyer prospecting letter ratio. I wouldn't think buyer prospects would be that tough to locate. Apartment complexes everywhere!

Dec 19, 2016 09:25 AM

Carol Williams

Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA

Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Jeff Dowler . It is quite comprehensive and interesting. I hope you find the time to review the report.

Dec 18, 2016 08:58 AM

Will Hamm

Aurora, CO

Carol Williams

Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA

Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Chris Lima . Yes, I found the whole report very interesting. I hope you can use the info to your benefit.

Dec 18, 2016 08:59 AM

Will Hamm

Aurora, CO
Chris Lima

Port St Lucie, FL

Carol Williams

Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA

Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi John Dotson . Yes, I bet we all have a book or three in us about our experiences!

Dec 18, 2016 09:00 AM

Will Hamm

Aurora, CO
John Dotson

Highlands, NC

Carol Williams

Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA

Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Brian DeYoung . There are some things that just be bought. Thanks for reading.

Dec 18, 2016 09:01 AM

Will Hamm

Aurora, CO

Kat Palmiotti

eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT

Helping your Montana dreams take root

I already commented, but am commenting again to get you more points!

Dec 19, 2016 07:45 AM

Carol Williams

Wenatchee, WA

Carol Williams

Daily Double! I like. LOL Thanks Kat Palmiotti

Dec 19, 2016 08:45 AM

Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO

Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

That is very true....choose someone who knows the particular location for buyer/seller. I also find that you can work with several other 'local experts' (agents) in that same area who understand the same market--makes it better for negotiations.

Dec 19, 2016 08:39 AM

Will Hamm

Aurora, CO

Carol Williams

Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA

Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR . I spent a year in the KC,, MO (St. Joseph) area a few years ago. I loved the farmland but not the humidity. Happy Holidays!

Dec 19, 2016 09:26 AM

Will Hamm

Aurora, CO

Sybil Campbell

Fernandina Beach, FL

Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I have not read this report from Zillow, but you bring out a great point Carol!

Dec 19, 2016 10:09 AM

Donna Foerster

HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO

Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

We plan to start farming to our immediate neighborhood in 2017. It's a small area, only 125 homes, but it's our neighbors and we plan to use that in our marketing.

Dec 19, 2016 11:00 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Carol -- real estate should be all about the client and thoroughly knowing the local market is an important component to mutual success.

Dec 20, 2016 05:02 AM

Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Carol, even I have to admit that Zillow got this part of their report right. The rest of it? Well…

Dec 20, 2016 06:54 AM

Will Hamm

Aurora, CO

Carol Williams

Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA

Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Sybil Campbell . We all have our opinions about Zillow but I do recommend reading this report. Thanks for stopping by. Happy Holidays.

Dec 20, 2016 07:51 AM

Will Hamm

Aurora, CO

Carol Williams

Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA

Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Donna Foerster , A "small" farm worked consistently and effectively can be VERY profitable. Carry on...

Dec 20, 2016 07:52 AM

Will Hamm

Aurora, CO

Carol Williams

Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA

Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Michael Jacobs , I am amazed at how many agents really do not make any effort to know the market. They just muddle along from day to day, picking up a few scraps of business now and then.... wondering why they're going broke.

Dec 20, 2016 07:54 AM