There is a down and dirty side to a career in real estate, and I am not talking about the schemers and less than ethical people we encounter as we go about the daily business of listing and selling real estate. How dirty are you willing to get to close a deal?
Yes, I dress for success, but I'm not afraid to dirty up my look to satisfy a client's questions and concerns. Early in my career a veteran agent taught me a lesson I never forgot. She was the listing agent of a home I wrote an offer on. Long story short, our inspector discovered a crack in the foundation, and we called in a structural/geological expert to assess the situation. Ms. Listing Agent showed up with her coveralls, suited up and crawled under the house to see the problem with her own eyes. Talk about shock and awe!
I do not own a pair of coveralls, but I do show up for all home inspections. I ask the inspector to personally point out any areas of concern. I offer to arrange additional inspections if the situation calls for it. Due diligence does pay off in client satisfaction and trust.
Example: Many of the homes in my area are on septic tanks, and yes, we inspect and certify those too. Years ago a listing agent had the septic tank inspected without telling me when the inspection was to take place. I received a letter from the septic tank company saying on such and such date they were engaged to inspect the septic system--end of letter. No certification--red flag. I called the company to request certification. The owner sheepishly told he could not comply because he could not find the septic cover lid to inspect the tank!
Believe me, we found the septic tank before I allowed escrow to close! I scheduled the re-inspect and I was there with my camera to document for my buyers the location and the condition of the tank. It was a smelly, dirty job, but I did it, and I'm happy to report the septic tank is functioning just fine.
More blogs about a real estate agent's life from Norma.
Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
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Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800
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South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Based on information from the Association of REALTORS®/Multiple Listing as of the initial date of this article/blog publication and /or other sources. Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.
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When I'm working new homes it's always a pair of jeans, nice shirt, and tennis shoes. People really like to crawl around at the strangest stages of construction or walk up to the foundation right after it rains and the mud wants to suck the shoes off you. I'm always right behind them or leading them through it.