Real Estate Blog - Reaching Across the Table-Listing Agents & Buyer’s Agents Working Together

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Reaching Across the Table-Listing Agents & Buyer’s Agents Working Together

Reaching Across the Table Is a new day dawning in real estate? I'm currently in various stages of four transactions and am finding a new level of professionalism that had slipped by the wayside a few years ago.

Three of the properties are my listings and each of the buyer agents are on top of the documents and time schedules even when we have had a few technology issues no one is losing their cool. My listing in Westridge is under contract with another local Active Rain blogger Peggy James and it has been like old friends working together even though we still haven't meet face to face. While I was out of town Peggy kept her clients calm while I dealt with multiple three way phone calls to my clients to come to agreement on contract terms.

A few miles down the road another RE/MAX Allegiance agent and I have had the hardest time getting our fax and emails to talk to each other. In this case I am working with the buyers and despite it all we just call, laugh and go to plan B. He hand delivered the condo documents to the buyer and since her husband is deployed the sellers are accommodating schedule changes to make sure she is comfortable with signing all of the documents herself.

My new construction listings always have a level of complexity. Scheduling all of the finishing work can be a chore and I have two under contract now with different requirements. It never fails that contractors find an issue that they weren't expecting when they go to install the buyer's custom finishes. Again the buyer's agent has worked with his client's to help them understand the electrician has to be there before the painter and the painter can't finish until the flooring is installed and on and on and on.

A few years ago it seemed like every time I picked up the phone an agent was yelling about something and the world was coming to an end. Today I'm happy to answer my phone and hopefully the other agents are also happy to hear from me too. Hopefully this is a change that will continue into the future. Professionalism in our current market goes a long way to smoothing over the bumps that are sure to happen in every transaction.

Posted by Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services on 02/07/2009 09:58 AM

Comments (55)

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55 Comments on Reaching Across the Table-Listing Agents & Buyer’s Agents Working Together

FEB

Glad to hear that you have so much business. I think that we are all a little happier and appreciative for the business we do have in these difficult times. Maybe there is something good coming out of the current economic problems.

Professionalism and working together does make a transaction close successfully and everybody is happy.

Cindy - I guess as everybody slowed down they also became humble and have grown to appreciate the other agents more.

Cindy,

The amateurs that were in the business when times were good have mostly left. Agents making it in today's market are battle tested veterans.

Rich

It starts when the agents understand that everyone involved wants the thing to happen. It's not supposed to be an armed robbery.

We all have to work together to make it come together... It is so much easier and brings things together usually quicker as well. there is no sense in getting up in arms and we all have to have Plan B's ready to roll as well. ...

Hi Cindy, Do you think it has anything to do with so many agents leaving the business ? Is the cream rising to the top ?

FEB

Cindy, this type of market quickly weeds out the agents that are not in the business for the long term. When the going gets tough these agents seem to just plain old get lost. Take care and happy blogging!

Erika-I'm fortunate to have the business but even happier that everyone is working together to get the deals done!

Mike-absoultely. The shell shock from a few years ago has worn off and agents are beginning to realize we are all in this together.

Carol-we also aren't having to deal with buyers who are stressed out from having lost 6 bids in a row on a home either.

Richard-the only deals I run into now where we have some of the early 2000 mentality is the foreclosure mill agents who have 100+ listings and don't seem to care if they sell or not.

Kim-I like the analogy! Our clients are making a huge financial committment and we should be watching out to make sure that all goes well.

Bill-I would love to think that it is also giving an opportunity for those who take a real estate career seriously a chance to learn real customer relationship skills as well.

Jason-thanks for stopping by. I've seen both "old and new" leaving the business or changing brokerages to save a buck. I'm sure when this is all over the type of agents left will be different than what came into this market.

Cindy - Hopefully this is a trend that will work itself up to my part of the world... Right now we're dealing with many agents who just reek of desperation. Nasty emails. Yelling on the phone. Just not fun.

I think the simple fact is they are getting desperate and losing control of their professionalism. Especially the experienced agents - it's as if they don't remember how to handle a declining market and take it out on everyone they come in contact with.

I've had a few long talks with cooperating agents explaining how things work...it seems that with desperation, they've forgotten about contractual time frames...

Glad to hear! Do you think that maybe those agents who weren't in the profession for the right reasons have since left due to the market and now what you have left are agents who truly should be agents!

Bridget

Hi Cindy~ There really is no point in any agent not being professional and level headed no matter what happens in the transaction! Some things are not in our control, but our attitude and behavior is! I am so glad you are having great communication between all of the parties!

Cindy - I mention the same trend. We deal with the real professionals today who know what to do, how to do, and how to keep everyone if not happy, but at least sane.

That's the way it should be! No more amateurs and part-timers around. That's very good for industry. That's great for our clients.

Interesting post. I wonder if things are getting better because weaker agents are leaving the business.

Cindy, I agree that since there are fewer transactions, all the agents are taking the their time to get it right the first time. On the other hand, I do see a lot more properties that are not closing escrow, which means more work for us.

Join my new AR group and post your blog at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Regina P. Brown

Cindy, What a nice change of pace to be able to talk about agents getting along to get deals done!

It is nice to have the agents who have been kicking the tires for a while involved in your transaction. As you stated, I hope it continues as more and more of the short-timers and part-timers leave the industry.

Tina in Virginia

I suspect that a lot of the yelling from the past was from agents who knew not what they were doing. Perhaps they left and got a job.

Folks left today know that we're not on an ego trip. We're here to broker the sale of real properties. We take our jobs very seriously, if not ourselves.

Congrats on having four deals going on at once. Am glad things are going well for you.

Cindy: It is nice we everyone in the transaction can work together and achieve the ultimate goal and close the deal.

Hi Cindy -- I would be curious to see what old timers would say about the ebb and flow of professional relationship as it relates to the state of the market. This should be the norm in our industry. Because there isn't much in the way of external oversight, let alone internal cooperation, I doubt it will ever change significantly a different real estate model evolves into a more transaction-based fee for service concept, which, while it exists in its infancy, would prove to allow the "best of breed" providers to thrive, leaving medicore service providers in the dust. Just my 2c worth.

I try to treat my fellow agents as well as I do my clients, and I think an agent can have a very good fiduciary relationship to their client AND go above and beyond to create a conducive relationship with the other agent, as that in of itself, helps their own client.

I forgot to log in when I posted...feel free to delete the comment directly above...

Cindy--Professionalism is so important regardless of market conditions. It is nice to see people adhering to the Golden Rule.

Cindy - this is encouraging for sure. I have had some great experiences recently...working with another agent right now who has been terrific. I was talking to an agent the other day at an open house and she too was commenting how more and more agents seem to be helping one another and copperating. What a novel idea. Let's hope we hear more of those stories and less of the negative.

Jeff

Cindy, it is wonderful to experience partnership in real estate where we all realize we really are on the same side (trying to get the buyers what they want and the sellers what they want -- a successful closing). One of my most valuable trainings has been to always plan on doing both agents jobs because sometimes that is what it takes to get it done. By having this in mind I don't seem to get as cranky when that is necessary. Congraulations on all the business!

I too think some agents are working together better.

I have been experiencing the same thing recently and it's causing me to scratch my head in amazement. Six of my REOs sold in January and 5 of the selling agents had all of their addendum's, signed disclosures and inspections completed ahead of schedule. I'm not even going to complain about number six.

Cindy, I don't think it's luck or even the times - except for the fact the the "strong" are survivng in this industry because times are tough. These professionals probably always provided this same service and hand across the aisle... they were just outnumbered during the bubble years by all those folks who got in the business for a quick buck and didn't care to learn the business or provide service. Thank goodness, more of them are leaving the business every day.

Hi Cindy,

Thanks for the kind mention in your post! You've been awesome to work with as well. I look forward to meeting you at the closing table!

Let's hope the market is shifting a bit here in the Lake Ridge Virginia area. I'd like to think we are going to be seeing more and more regular homeowner sales like the one we're doing together versus short sales where it's difficult to get a straight answer let alone a phone call from the lender.

Isn't is nice to work with Pros? With the recent thinning of the heard, hopefully we are down to the pros now!

Cindy, I think the market is flushing out a lot of the jerks. I'm also noticing much more professional colleagues.

Cindy - now that you mentioned it... yes, I think it was been more pleasant lately. It is also extremely helpful when other agents know you and that you get things done and are easy to work with. We have lately found this especially in multiple offer situations :) - ~Rita

Thanks for your thoughts....how right you are about the importance of professionalism, particularly in these challenging times. Sounds like you take your job seriously!

At least for me, it seems that I work with the best.....and then the other extreme.

In this day & age of MULTIPLE available means for communicating (cell phones, v/m, e-mail, Blackberry's, etc.), I am continually amazed at the number of agents out there who place little or no importance on timely responses.

Bottom line....our clients are the ones who pay the price!

Cindy- SO great to hear! This is what our business should be all about!

Cindy,

I am experiencing the exact same thing. I think it is a combination of unexperienced agents leaving the business and the rest grateful for the business they have...

good luck

FEB

That's so refreshing! Hopefully soon, all will realize this isn't a combat sport! I've been fortunate enough to spend my career in a small town where bad behavior is usually rewarded by lunch with a seasoned veteran. It's one invitation you don't want to get from what I hear!

Congrats on your steady flow of positive, smooth, and professionally-handled transactions!

As a lender, I have felt like referee for few years now. I have noticed a change in the professionalism of all parties as of late. I believe the people that were causing the proplems have been forced out of the business. Whether it is by bad behavior or market conditions they are going. The cream will always rise to the top.

Excellent point to be stressed, Cindy. I find the longer I work in this field (5+ years now) the more business I get from (and give to) other agents with whom I've had smooth transactions in the past. When people ask about where business comes from and I say "mostly referrals" they don't realize that many of those referrals are from local agents, which is a huge bonus to any REALTORs business.

So true! Every conversation I have with another agent these days is supportive, friendly and upbeat. I had an agent apologize the other day because she coudn't reach her client who had been rushed to the hospital and she was sorry it was inconvenient for my client! Is this the return to civility and "it ain't all about me" that seems to have gone by the wayside while the market was hot? I hope so!

This professionalism makes real estate so much easier.

This is happening all over. Maybe the Un...professional's have left the building. Sure is easier to work with buyers, sellers and realtors when all cooperate.

Cindy - That is awesome ! Professionalism goes a long way in building relationships, not just with clients, but with other realtors as well. Thanks for sharing that. Is a great reminder for all of us !

This is so good to hear...I think alot of 'wanna be Realtors' dropped in '08, and we should see many more drop this year. It's time to get back to the basics of being professional, first and foremost. 2 good agents working together for one end goal is always such a great experience! Hope it continues for you! The last couple of deals I have had have been positive as well, come to think of it....hummm.

Cindy,

This is a sign of the times, I think everyone is being more curtious cause they realize we are under the gun. If we, as realtors, wanna stay afloat we need to be better than ever, and this is a sign of the good realtor's shining through. Great story and keep up the effort!

-Lisa

Maybe not quite the level of professionalism that I am hoping for, but many agents seem to be a bit (or even a lot) nicer now that the market has changed. Funny, huh?

Oh and great post.

FEB

I have recently gone through a short sale closing that encountered just about every problem you can get. Every day brought a new problem or delay that left the seller and/or buyer agitated and/or upset and guess who bore the brunt of it? It was a very difficult situation and put a huge strain on both me and the buyer's agent but we managed it all better by being supportive towards each other. As we were in daily contact with each other and both aiming for the same goal (get it closed!) we developed quite a rapport so maybe it's the fact that we're all having to work harder in difficult times that's creating a bond. Whatever the reason, I know that working together made a very stressful period more manageable.......and successful.

I think one good thing about a market slowdown is that it leaves only the true professionals in the business. I am as busy as ever and enjoying my job more than ever. Thanks for the good news!

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