Home : Blogs : Clearwater Real Estate Pinellas Florida Condos & Homes for Sale- Cyndee Haydon : Clearwater Beach Real Estate - Clearwater Homes & Condos for Sale

Do Clearwater, Florida Home Buyers Get Full Service or is it Pump it Yourself?

old gas station in clearwater beach florida

Clearwater Florida Home Buyers

I had something happen today in Clearwater, Florida that made my jaw drop and I just had to share it with you all. It made we think about the extinction of Full Service Gas Stations.

How did it happen? When did it all start.....maybe it was when buyers no longer "valued" the extra service over price...we often discuss our services as Listing Agent, however today I'd ask that you answer wearing your Buyer's Agent hat?

We had a potential buyer today, we'll call him Bob. Bob was referred to us by one of our past Tampa Bay real estate clients - normal enough, right?

So one of the first questions we ask Bob is, "Have you been pre-qualified for your mortgage?" What Bob said next made me drop my jaw...

He said, "Yes, I was prequalified for a mortgage by "big national real estate company". Ok at this point I'm wondering why he's talking to us and not the other Clearwater real estate agent??? Well I didn't have to wonder long because what he said next blew me away...

He said, "Yep, they prequalified me and then just handed me a list of their properties to go and pick from" and then he said, "They just weren't very helpful" - at this point I'm thinking that's an understatement, as well as poor professional performance in my opinion. This is a Tampa Bay Real Estate brokerage that gets paid for FULL SERVICE - but in my opinion is delivering PUMP IT YOURSELF service.

So here's my question, we've all been discussing the Redfin interview and Real Estate commissions (explained so well by Broker Bryant)- usually as they relate to being the Real Estate Listing Agent, but what are your feeling about providing "full service" to your Home Buyers. At least Bryant Tutas makes his position clear - he only serves Home Sellers - I respect that he is straightforward and honest about it. I'm struck by the feeling that the original Real Estate company was also only serving the Home Seller - but they were still willing to take a "low hanging" commission if the buyer found one of their "listings", I mean homes to buy. How is this good for the Home Buyer?

Stephanie Edwards-Musa posted a great article outline 12 Steps To Buying Your Home with her.

Clearwater Florida Buyers Agent

What services do you routinely provide Home Buyers you work with?

Do you find out what they're wants and needs are and then show them ALL the properties for sale that meet their requirements by all real estate companies and not just your brokerages listing?
Do you do CMA type analysis to consult with them on current market values for the homes they like?
Do you actually show them the homes they're interested in or do you have them call the seller?
Do you advise them to pass on homes that are not realistically priced since they will get their escrow money back if it doesn't close but they'll never get the inspection monies, appraisal fees, survey expense and more back if it won't appraise, not to mention the emotional rollercoaster effect on everyone?
Do you negotiate for them like it was your own money or they were your own family?

These are just a few of the things we do for the Home Buyers we work with.

Jack & I are as passionate about working with Buyers as a Buyers Agent as Broker Bryant is about working with his Sellers. We bring great value to those we serve as Buyer's Agents - we definitely earn our cooperating brokerage commision.

As we get a look at how the public views Realtors and the job we get paid to do - we need to make sure we are always bringing value in the form of:

real estate expertise,
consulting skills,
specialized knowledge,
advocacy,
strong negotiations,
managing all the details of the inherently complex transaction that when mistakes are made can be very costly for buyers and sellers alike;
and caring for our clients as people - that's what I believe they're paying for.

I'm curious , what do you think your Home Buyers value most about working with you?

Clearwater Florida Real Estate

If you or someone you know is looking for real estate in the Clearwater / Clearwater Beach / Sand Key/ St Pete Beach /Island Estates / Tampa Bay area ~ whether it's a home, condo, investment property, - Jack and I can help.

We offer FREE Search of all properties for sale by all real estate agents in Tampa Bay, Florida area.

Posted by Clearwater Real Estate Pinellas Florida Condos & Homes for Sale- Cyndee Haydon on 05/16/2007 08:57 PM

Comments (53)

clearwater florida buyers agent, clearwater florida real estate, clearwater florida home buyers

Originally posted at: Clearwater Florida Homes Condos Real Estate: Do Clearwater, Florida Home Buyers Get Full Service or is it Pump it Yourself?

This post has been included in Florida Information Pinellas County, FL Information

53 Comments on Do Clearwater, Florida Home Buyers Get Full Service or is it Pump it Yourself?

MAY

2007

Because I'm WooHoo???? Just kidding. For one, I am real. No glossing over stuff. Well prepared to go the extra mile (and I literally mean miles! A lot are military newcomers and we travel many miles showing them different neighborhoods!) and walk them through every detail of the transaction so they understand what is going on. I always keep asking if they understand or if they have questions...okay, this will turn into another post. Mainly, I listen to their wants and needs and keep an open mind. And...and....and!

Cyndee, awesome post. You know the philosophy behind us BROs, well I try to follow them as closely as I can. As to your question: what do buyers value most about working with me? I would have to say is my honesty. My buyers all know that I have every intention to get them to our final destination and I work as If as I am the one buying the home.

Sally - see that's what I'm talking about - that's "priceless" to those transferring to Hawaii and that's why working with you is a real value to your buyers. I also know your clients - become friends and raving fans - which is proof of the real service you give.

We do the same and I believe it's important that buyers understand what services they should be getting!

Sally, thanks for taking time to share :-)

Mana - what a great way to state it! I know that you negotiate for your clients like it's your own money and treat them the way you would want to be treated - that's while they go the extra mile and refer you to their friends and family!

Cyndee - You nailed it! Anyone can write a contract! I have some basic contracts(non-industry) in my files, one favors the buyer, one favors the seller. Just fill in the blanks! We specialize in the caring for our clients and their needs. Walking along side of them throughout the process, ensuring they are protected and represented.

Cyndee, what an excellent post - should be featured!!! You have my STAR on this!!!

There's so much to representing a buyer beyond preapproving them. I think listening, truly listening to identify their needs, their 5,6, & 7. Making sure that they understand the process of buying a home, that they're not surprised or caught off guard, that they know what they can or can not do during escrow, making sure that the loan they're getting is appropriate for them and their risk tolerance... plus of course, all the other things like negotiating on their behalf, strategizing on the best way to present the offer, strategizing on pricing, previewing property and more, and more, and more... :-)

Phew... tires me out just typing this stuff. :-)

Paula - what scares me is to realize how many Tampa Bay home buyers don't understaand the service they should be getting from "their" real estate agent and the value they can realize - at no extra cost to them.

You explained perfectly why buyers in Indianapolis continue to call YOU!

Buyer's don't realize a poor agent could let them bid too much on a house and cost them money on inspections, appraisals and surveys for a home that won't appraise and they can't get the loan - now comes the dirty little secret....

Oh yeah, Mr Buyer, you'll can get your escrow deposit back but you've lost:

your $350+ for home inspections;
your $350 for appraisals;
your $400+ for a survey;
and the unnecessary roll-a-coaster ride your family experienced

Thanks for weighing in - you know I'll send my Indianapolis, Indiana referrals to YOU!

Irina - we have the same philosophy and you are right on! Thanks for visiting and reminding me I've got an agent for buyers in Pasadena California :-)

It just breaks my heart when I meet a buyer who "called the listing agent" thinking THEY could negotiate a better deal since that realtor is getting both sides. Broker Bryant explains this far better than I could.

I'm also surprised at how many home buyers in the Tampa Bay area think if they have an agent working for them it will "cost them extra money" - they don't understand that the buyer's agent get's paid a portion of the marketing fee allocated by the seller.

Thanks Cyndee! I really appreciate your help. I am learning a lot!

Cyndee, it's all part of education as both of us know... that reminds me of an incident that happened to me when I first started in real estate. I remember sitting with my clients, husband and wife, both being in middle management corporate America... so here we are, writing an offer, and towards the end, very quietly the husband asks me - So... how much do I owe you for this? We spent hours looking for property, and quite some time discussing offer price, etc and all that time he was worried to death about how much I was going to charge him for the service provided.

Boy... what a valuable lesson that was for me. I do not take for granted, the education level of any of my clients when it comes to real estate transactions. We deal with this on a daily basis and they only a couple of times in their life time. It's too easy to assume that they understand how the compensation works and that the seller pays the buyer's agent's commission.

Great visiting with you!!!

MAY

2007

Cyndee this is a 5 and worth a bookmark! Great post. I am always surprised how many agents start by looking at their companies listings first. I don't care who has the listing if it is a match that's all that matters.

Ashley, that's why you are one of the top real estate agents to work with in Albuquerque, New Mexico. You're focused on your client not selling any one particular house - and it shows! :-)

I saw where Kiplinger had nothing but great things to say about living in Albuquerque - I can see why you love living there. Thanks for stopping by. They had the Tampa Bay, Florida area as the #1 City for retirees because of low cost of living, lots of arts and culture and lots of medical resources for aging population not to mention it's a great climate - sandbars to sunsets, we've got it all.

Cyndee, That was great. It's amazing how people don't really understand true representation. Some buyers don't see the value in it. They are truly mistaken. Not until the deal falls through, then they wish they had that representation. Thanks again for all of your help! I want you to know it's invaluable.

Annie - We've discussed out philosophy on being consultants to our Home Buyers - which means caring more about helping our clients achieve their goals, we're not "sales people" focused on selling any particular "house" or the brokerage listings.

I know you serve San Antonio, Texas the way we serve Clearwater & Tampa Bay, Florida

Stop by anytime my friend.

Hi, Cyndee! Your service is what's going to bring back repeat business -- or not. Personally, I LIKE repeat business. My aim isn't just to get closed, it's to get that phone call a few years later that it's time again!

Cyndee!! YOU GOT IT SISTA!! You give full service, of yourself, go that extra mile, WIN CLIENTS FOR LIFE--and their friends---family members---and then some!! You practice what JOE STUMPF preaches at BRO! I would send ANYONE I HAVE for Pinellas to YOU!! Do NOT pass go----or do NOT collect $200 dollars which is planted on BOARDWALK and listed by Cyndee Haydon!!! GREAT POST!!!

When I helped buyers in my past life as a Realtor, I think the thing they valued was my compassion with their time and the ability to devote myself to doing whatever it took to help them find the home or commercial proprety that they really wanted.

On the residential side, I spent 24 hours (I logged them) in the car with one unique buyer's wife. They were looking for a specific feature of a house due to a religious reason... we saw a production builder with the perfect lot for their needs... and then I took them to every listing in their price range, sometimes only seeing the outside to find it wasn't facing the right way. Eventually I closed them with the production builder - but all the shopping put me out a week... so it happened to be that the production builder was having a promotion and I got an extra $1000 in commission that week!

On the commercial side, tenant repping was fun. I had to drive around ALONE to find properties in a particular area... then I would go pick up my client and show them the properties I had located. I was putting a national cellular company into the former first retail space for the Papa Johns chain in Southern Indiana.... it was neat and helped the story of the property.

Full service is the way to go. Our area is just now getting to where there are cut rate services for buyers. Wonder how that will be for the agents business in the future.</

Sarah - I agree, 100% - we actually state the purpose of our business is referrals - to earn them you have operate at high standards ALWAYS - down to how responsive we are on our voicemail every day. I've found you know you're adding real value if your client IS WILLING to refer you. Thanks for visiting Sarah, always good to have real estate pros from West Virginia stopping by :-)

Susie - you and I are lucky enough to get to spend time together living in the same area so we've seen each other in action which is why you know I feel the same about anyone looking for the best realtor in Brandon & Valrico Florida - call Susie Roscoe!

David - that same service you gave buyers as a Florida Real Estate agent is what makes you uniquely qualified to be their mortgage consultant. You understand the whole picture from both sides and don't even get me started on the importance of an honest, experienced mortgage consultant. That critical decision alone could cost a Home Buyer in Boyton Beach or Clearwater Florida thousands of extra dollars and headaches alone.

I wish I could explain that many of the "Online Mortage Companies" that advertise on TV are just trying to get you to call - My 5 year old believes eveything he sees on TV - but it's amazing how many adults do too!

I have seen time after time, a Florida mortgage expert like you can tailor the home buyer's loan to meet their needs and cost them way less money - and there's no substitute for the personal, individualized SERVICE!

Keep up the good work in Florida for Residential and Commercial mortgage clients alike. Thanks for weighing in on thr topic. .

Cyndee....Once again my friend a masterful post and very well written. You deserive a BIG 5 and I am giving you one right now along with BIG HUG from Idaho :-)

George - your articles often articulate many of these points a lot better than I could. So often you've shared how you live these principles whem serving the good people of Nampa, Idaho looking for real estate.

I must add that I never knew Nampa and the surrounding areas of Idaho had such beautiful "real estate" - you represent you clients and your towns so well - If I was buying a home or land in Idaho - I'd want you as my real estate agent! :-)

Cyndee, to answer your question on my blog about Grazr; I got the idea from Jeff Turner's blog: Add Your Other Blogs RSS Feed To Your AR Sidebar .

First go to Grazr.com. After you register put your Active Rain blog address in and at the end put /rss.

For example: http:// www.activerain.com/blogs/yournameonactiverain/rss. And then if you want you can customize it.

Good Luck.

I find that my extensive background in DIY remodeling is very, very helpful when discussing the "options" for buyers while looking at a given home. I can practically tell the the aisle and shelf for most items at Home Depot...it takes some concern away about cost issues.

Gene: Thanks for visiting - I always enjoy new voices here.

Wow Jeff, what a great benefit. Jack can do the same with buyers here since we've worked with so many investors and remodelers. You've gotta know all that BEFORE you start negotiating. Thanks for visiting and sharing a great point!

Cyndee---I just re-read this again and it still blows me away! Some people have gotten "too big for their britches" and expect the world because of WHO they are, who they once were, who they know, and then some! Everyone starts off as one of the little guys...it's the little guys who grooooowww into the big shots, millionaires, investors, and who have friends who are and do just the same. Offer them the service of what they are to become and make it part of "who you are and what you do!" What comes around...will go around and you'll still be "their agent" when it's time to cash in at the end of the day!

Cyndee---you are truly the heart of Clearwater Properties!!

Susie - thank you for the kind words - that's why Jack & I chose to be part of a boutique Realty company - we have no financial ties to any title company, any mortgage company, any inspection service or appraisers - we know great professionals in all these areas we can recommend but we want are clients to feel comfortable that our recommendation comes based on the belief that we think those we recommend can really help them and do a great job - not because it's another revenue source for out "real estate business"

I think that buyers still want full service -- once they understand the process and how having a buyer's agent can assist them, then they know the difference. I think you pointed out some important services tha a buyer's agent can provide.

Joan, thanks for stopping by. You're right, I've found most buyers don't realize what a benefit having someone representing them makes. Last year alone we save our buyers over 8% of the asking price on average. That's $8,000 per $100,000 - that makes a huge difference for most buyers.

MAY

2007

Cyndee - Well written my friend! I love working with buyers because buying a home is such an amazing experience and I love helping people achieve their dream!

Great post. I'm an Exclusive Buyer Agent (I don't take listings) and I work with my buyers as if they were family. I do provide them with the usual auto-prospecting service of course, but then I scout out different homes for them and preview them especially for my busier buyers. When I see something good I let them know and then go back to the house with them. Only when there are open houses, do I send them alone, but in most cases I go to the same open houses or broker's open houses that I send my clients on -- sometimes we just can't make it all the the same time. I do give them CMAs for anything they have an interest in.

Yvonne, so good to hear from you my friend - I was just thining about you this morning. How's things in Vancouver? I know your buyers benefit from your care and attention to detail. Visit again soon.

Bettina,

It is so good to have you visit. I respect that you are a pure buyer's agent - that is an awesome service you provide. We offer the majority of our buyers Single Agency and represent only them. The get a great value and service.

Cyndee,

I mostly work with listings...unless it is a listing going into purchase then I have a buyers agent to handle that. Even though the market stinks..I still prefer the listing over the buyer..but that is why my partner deals with that part.

Neal - Thanks for stopping by and visiting. We need realtors that specialize in listings too. I'll bet you're very busy with all the homes on the market in Weston Florida.

MAY

2007

as a lender who deals almost exclusively in realtor referrals and i am in florida.

in the old days when a realtor was new the broker often worried that they would make a quick sale. the worry was because they might think that selling real estate was easy and they would not spend the time learning what they needed to know in order to properly generate sales and give proper service to their clients.

in the florida market for a period of time simply being an order taker was enough and for many these habits are hard to break'

also the downsiide of the great information source, the internet, is that many individuals don't have or develop the interpersonal skills they need, and unfortunately don't offer a high level of personal service.

quite frankly for you it's their loss and your gain. though not appropriate maybe we should thank them.

as for your new client, hats off to him/her/them for not accepting inferior service.

on a personal note they seem to have been lucky to find you reward them with knockout service.

good luck

Thank you to Florida, Lender - well said! Thanks for visiting.

I have an aunt who will not use a real esate agent because of just that. All the agents she ever worked with just showed her thier properties and nothing else. That is absolutly abhorrid and selfish. If any one has ever done this you should repent and live up to the oath you took upon your becoming a REALTOR. I don't understand how anyone could sleep at night after doing this. This is why we have to fight for commissions.

Hildreth - I'm with you - I couldn't sleep at night doing that. What a shame your aunt couldn't find a buyer's agent. Thanks for visiting, please come again soon!

BILL CHERRY - MY 43RD YEAR

You did a good job with this. I have never and I never will be anything but a full service broker. I have more than enough ethical skills to handle both sides of the transaction and handle them well, and no one is going to scare me out of continuing that.

I've spent a lifetime in the real estate business, and I've never been threatened with a law suit much less had to defend myself in one. And I am confident that's because I handle my clients' business just like I would expect mine to be handled.

There are lots of us out there who practice this way. And that's the way it should be.

Bill, thanks for weighing in on this one. I bet you still remember "Full Service Gas Stations" - Wow 43 years - you must be doing lot right - obviously you have your experience but are also willing to learn new things like how blogging and internet can fit into your real estate tool kit. I'd love to see you back soon - Wise members always welcome... ethical pros applauded!

MAY

2007

Those are not real estate agents those are order takers. BIG Difference

Jeff - boy did you say it ALL! Please come back and weigh in anytime. I wish consumers understood the difference before the transaction instead of sadly figuring it out later.

Online sure can have a negative impact on service industries. Compare the number of travel agencies 20 years ago, and how they are doing, to the ones today. Almost everyone I know goes online to get tickets, dealing with the airlines and hotels (even those overseas) themselves.

Steven, You are so right. I think we all have to be aware of what value we're giving. I am seeing more and more buyers calling "online lenders" first - thinking all mortage services are the same and it's all about "rate". Unfortunately theres so much more to mortages than rate and so much more to real estate than, "What commission do you charge?"

When consumers perceptions of value change - the market place changes - but not necessarily for the consumer or the traditional businesses.

MAY

2007

I bring a ton of experience to the table having done this job for so long. I also don't try to intimidate my clients. I always try to make the experience a fun one for my clients and they seem to appreciate the combination.

Bob Mitchell

ValueList

Bob - thanks for weighing in - ultimately it's all about the "experience" - that's where we're found the referral come from - great experience = more business!

MAY

2007

Cyndee- Very good post and something we all need to be aware of.. The main comment I get from my buyers is that I am very patient and always answer all their questions.. this is very important for my clients.. they want to know they can ask me anything and I will always be there to give them an answer.

MAY

2007

Cyndee--What a great post! Missed it last week. I think my buyers like working with me because I assist them...hand holding required...through the process. My buyers don't back out of a deal as we have discussed and qualified them throughout. They understand that I am on their side as part of their team. They understand if dual agency does arise, there are options and that their interests will be protected, even if I have to find them another agent. My goal is never a quick sale, it is a good client and friend for life!

JUN

2007

As a buyer it was good to read these blogs and Ms. Haydon’s observation about the way of the full-service gas stations. I think this is especially true for blind sales where the Internet is used to locate and purchase property.

Because there is no face-to-face secession during the process I see a lack of providing the buyer with full and complete information. I also found that there isn’t the sense of strong negotiations as if it was your own money. My thought is they don’t want to upset the selling agent for they might need to deal with them again and probably never see the buyer for a second time.

As more and more information is obtainable on the Internet and the younger generation who grow up using computers turn to buying and selling homes using this media, will there be a need for more than a broker or title company if it is self service and no commitment to providing full service?

Dear Local Buyer - thank you for taking the time to comment on my article. We find that people appreciate getting the information they want early in the process but then really appreciate the consulting we bring to the them - what's the property really worth, referrals to inspectors focused on the buyer not the seller, that we do negotiate like it's our own money and manage all the hundreds of transactional detail during the process.

Our clients tell us they love the "high tech info" with the "high touch service" - we're excited about the future - especially with the service we provide our buyers.

If you ever know anyone thinking of buying property in the Tampa Bay area we'd love an opportunity to explain how we can help. We even have a toll free number to allow those referred to us to hear how we work. Just email me and I can send it to you.

There's never any pressure when working with us because we believe in helping buyers buy right!