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Know YOUR LISTINGS!

By
Real Estate Agent with Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ

The other day I read Susan Neal's post:  

Can you answer questions without embarassing yourself, Take-a-look

It's so true.  If you are going to list a property, know the property!

Every so often I get a call on one of my listings.  The caller starts out by asking:

 "do you know anything about the property"  or  "have you ever been in that house?"

I always respond; "yes, of course, it's my listing!"

One has to wonder why a caller would ask those questions....

Who on earth did they previously talk to; that listed a property and didn't see the inside...or didn't know their listing enough to answer questions.

It's so important, "know your listings"!  No matter what type of property you've listed.

Let's face it; we get some crazy questions when a potential buyer calls.  No caller should expect you to memorize everything, such as room measurements or the exact amount of the yearly real estate tax.  It's OK to tell a caller that you can check it and get back with the answer.

But know the basics of the home so that you can speak to potential buyers with certainty:

  • Style of the home
  • Property Size
  • Number of Bedrooms
  • Number of Baths
  • Number of Garage spaces
  • Foundation type 
  • HVAC Type

I have a suggestion; this is what I do...

I carry a clipboard with all of my listing sheets in alpha order of street name.  To date, I personally have 26 active listings, so I need to be organized and quick, for incoming calls...

If I'm not sure how many feet deep the property is, or if it has a garbage disposal (whatever), I can grab the clipboard and give the answer.

I know that with new technology, some people will opt to carry information on their Blackberry. 

But sometimes the old fashion way, is quicker.  Or least it is for me!

ToulaRosebrock.com

Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Sound advice as usual..I don't know how you find the time for AR with all those listings!

Feb 03, 2009 01:23 AM
John Mayer
Oikos Realty, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach Florida - Cocoa Beach, FL
Your Beach Area Expert

Some REO Brokers are like that. One told me he doesn't have the time and doesn't get enough money. If he put in the extra effort, he wouldn't get anything done, he said.

Feb 03, 2009 01:37 AM
Toula Rosebrock
Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ
Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

Hi Kristin - I make the time, I have to!

Feb 03, 2009 01:45 AM
Toula Rosebrock
Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ
Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

Hi John - I've run across that too.  If they put a little extra effort, the REO properties will sell quicker...

Feb 03, 2009 01:46 AM
Steve Hoffacker
Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL
Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor

Toula,

Great attitude and very organized approach to keeping track of what you have avauilable. :)

Steve

Feb 03, 2009 02:06 AM
Toula Rosebrock
Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ
Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

Hi Steve - I try!

Feb 03, 2009 02:10 AM
Gail MacMillan
Titusville, FL

Toula - Good grief, with 26 listings where do find time for yourself, let alone time to blog.  You MUST be one very organized young lady.......I'm impressed :-)

Feb 03, 2009 03:54 AM
Toula Rosebrock
Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ
Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

Hi Gail - Organization is a must!  and I'm listing another property this week...

Feb 03, 2009 04:13 AM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

Good info for all agents, as many have said one ignorant REALTOR reflects badly on the profession!

Feb 03, 2009 10:23 AM
John Walters
Frank Rubi Real Estate - Slidell, LA
Licensed in Louisiana

That is so true.  Once in a while I take a call for another agents listing and I have to look at the cheat sheet.  At least know yours.

Feb 03, 2009 11:41 AM
Jeff R. Geoghan
Coldwell Banker Realty - Lancaster, PA
REALTOR, Marketing Manager

I remember one of my first open houses - for a listing of mine - and I forgot to bring an MLS sheet.  About 5 minutes into the open I realized that I had not adequately prepared for my audience - I panicked a bit, actually.  Luckily the receptionist in on sunday was able to read me some details like taxes, etc over the phone.  I never forgot that lesson.

Feb 03, 2009 01:49 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I am amazed at the number of people who don't do this.  I know my entire company's inventory backwards and forwards.  I do keep the info in front of me in print also.  Just in case.  But when I have sales meetings my agents get called out if we have a listing they have not seen, unless we got it earlier that day.  There's no excuse in this market not have seen everything in your office. (at least when it's the size of mine.

Feb 03, 2009 03:11 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Toula,

You are so right. You must know your listings! I keep a print out of my MLS & a flier on each of my listings with me in my portfolio. It really helps when I get calls over the week-end and I'm not in the office. A clip board sound like a great way to go!

Feb 03, 2009 11:20 PM
Jon Wnoroski
America's 1st Choice RH Realty Co., Inc. - Green, OH
Summit County Realtor

Hi Toula - That's great advice.  When people call the listing agent they expect them to know something about the house and their focus is on that one home; not the many homes you have listed.  Being organized certainly helps and keeping a binder with all your listings organized will help when you get that call.

Feb 03, 2009 11:26 PM
Toula Rosebrock
Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ
Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

Hi Laura - You are so right!

Feb 03, 2009 11:46 PM
Toula Rosebrock
Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ
Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

Hi John - exactly...we need to know our own listings!

Feb 03, 2009 11:47 PM
Toula Rosebrock
Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ
Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

Hi Jeff - That was a good lesson to learn early on!

Feb 03, 2009 11:48 PM
Toula Rosebrock
Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ
Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

Hi Tammy - I agree!

Feb 03, 2009 11:49 PM
Toula Rosebrock
Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ
Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

Hi Dorie - True, we can't always be in front of a computer in the office...

Feb 03, 2009 11:50 PM
Toula Rosebrock
Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ
Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

Hi Jon - Thank you, we're on the same page!

Feb 03, 2009 11:50 PM