"I became a Realtor because, I couldn't believe the poor service I received"
by Gary Wolter
Confession: I became a Realtor because I knew I could be much better than most.
When I was 27 years old I bought my first home, I called a part time agent that a friend of mine used. Although the deal went fine, I felt when it was all over, that I really didn't get the full service that I should have. Like many first time home buyers, we don't know what we don't know. I was one of them. He really didn't help me with an experienced eye and wasn't much of a consultant. he didn't last long in the business either, I later learned.
Seven years later it was time to move up after having a couple of kids, and now it was time to buy AND sell. This time I decided to go with a hungry agent who did a good amount of business. I did not want to go with a MEGA agent who had a bunch of assistants as I knew I would be passed around to each one of them for each part of the transaction. However, once again the personal service was lacking as I felt like nothing was really explained well and the lack of a buying selling strategy, and personal service I deserved was not a part of this transactional only relationship. It not only hurt my experience but no way did I ever say anything good about this agent let alone refer her.
I was in sales and new what customer service was. I was in the advertising business and understood that great communication and meeting deadlines were critical or I didn't get paid or worse, wouldn't get repeat business.
Now it was late 2001, and it was time to make a career change. My friend and mentor was a Realtor, and I observed how he was successful because of his energy in truly being interested in the client's life and goals. He was highly successful very quickly with NO sales prior sales experience. I thought "wow" if he can do it, so can I! But I disliked Realtors based on my past two experiences.
I went for it anyway, thinking I will be the "Anti Realtor, Realtor."
After my second day of real estate school on Sept 12, 2001, many people doomed my real estate career before it got started. After 911, many Realtors took a negative view of the economy,. Not me, I didn't know any better. I worked 36 days in a row when I first started and ended up being the 'Rookie of the Year" at my brokerage.
My wife, Melynda later joined me and we formed the Wolter Team Real Estate Group. We kept our same philosophy of "premiere personal service," and later were the #1 sales team in our office selling 57 homes in 2013.
We are looking for clients who want an enjoyable personal experience. Buying a house is the biggest purchase most people make. This is where your life happens! Selling is a different feeling. Getting the most money possible in the least amount of time, with no problems is what we both want. Most of our sellers testimonials all talk about how it was stress free and fast, all while selling for top dollar.
You have lots of choices in agents. The fact is that 80% of licensees don't renew after the first two years. They quit. Experience counts and so does service. So do you choose a cheap agent, or a popular big hitter who doesn't really have the passion because he has 50 other clients right now?
I was the Team Leader at our Keller Williams brokerage for a year and a half where I consulted with the office's top agents and helped them increase their business. I also observed that some decided to be almost 100% transactional Realtors, meaning that they would only cold call sale by owners, listings that expired or paid for internet leads.
I also witnessed agents who had 12, 14, 20 sub agents working for them in call centers working as telemarketers to gain business. The business has gone in a direction that doesn't serve the client as a person, but only as a commodity. Most agents don't talk about relationship
building anymore, its all about the numbers. Not us, that's why we love our career! It's about relationships! This is how we built a business to 70% referral. 7 of 10 deals came from people who were TOLD to call us.
If you would like a small boutique of two well trained, experienced agents who give our clients the "premiere personal service", please pass our names to your neighbors and friends. Take the time to interview us personally. If a personal relationship with personal service, sounds refreshing to you, call us today or keep our information for the future. People tell us all the time that we have a trusting down to earth way. Being a Certified Residential Specialist, also gives us the credibility that lead to a reputation for results for our clients and friends. Hope to see you at one of our social "get together's" soon!
In the meantime, feel free to call us for a relaxed, informative meeting concerning any of your real estate needs.
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