2009 is a great time sell real estate. I say that as someone fairly new to the industry, but also as someone who got off to a rapid start. Based in DC and also licensed in nearby Maryland and Virginia, I am very much at home in this fast paced city. The last few years have been a challenging time but I did very well because I worked hard and remembered a few basic principles. Good realtors have a grasp of business, economics, finance, and marketing, but real estate is in essence a customer service business. If you can package what you know for the customer, you will be successful.
I found you can do well selling a professional her first condo in exciting DC or an executive a luxury home in Virginia. By being helpful, well prepared, and enthusiastic in the present transaction, you can build for the future. I am confident that when my clients move to their next home or venture into investment property, I will be the one they call.
Let me share a few customer testimonials with you that underscore what's important to be successful. I appreciate my customers and love the industry. As I venture out into Active Rain, I am sure that many of you can add to my lists of tips for success.
1. Be prepared - you are entering into a relationship.
"Rachel Valentino forgoes sleep and laughs at the concept of downtime. This is how she gets so much done. And this is why her clients are so happy. Her work ethic was evident from the start; before our first meeting she had prepared a packet of materials that anticipated all of my questions. It was a reassuring flourish of professionalism. Rachel listens carefully and traffics in empathy. She expertly lays out all possibilities. She asks for unvarnished thoughts along the way. She treats you like a friend, not like a means to a commission."
Brenden Jackson
2. Listen to the customer - he usually knows what he wants even if he can't put an address on it...
"Every step of the way Rachel did a perfect job, so much so that I was left confused by the horror stories I had heard from so many other people when buying a home. I almost couldn't figure out why I didn't have any of these problems, but I know it was because Rachel did an excellent job.....She also did an excellent job finding places that fit into what I was looking for. So much so that the third place I saw on the first day we went to see houses was the one I ended up buying. I naturally we went to see a lot of other places after that, because as a first time home buyer I felt the need to see a lot of places and get a better handle on the market. I have been in my townhouse for only two months now, but I know that it is the perfect place for me at this stage in my life, and I have Rachel to thank for that."
3. Treat every individual as an important client - especially if you want to build life-long business relationships...
"Rachel always treated us like V.I.P. clients, which we greatly appreciated. If people can be judged by the company they keep, then it speaks very highly of Rachel that all the professionals she has referred us to have been top-notch. From our mortgage broker to the locksmith, even right down to the neighborhood pizza joint, Rachel's referrals have made moving into our first home a smooth transition."
4. Know your area - and freely share your knowledge with your clients.
"The only reason that I'm in my home today is due to the dedication, willingness, devotion, eagerness, diligence and perseverance of Ms. Rachel Valentino. She took the time to research and send properties that were in my price range and desirable neighborhoods, listened to my complaints and frustrations, was organized and made every appointment, all the while demonstrating exceptional professionalism.... I was very pleasantly surprised to witness her vast knowledge of the Washington DC area and her willingness to visit all of my interested properties."
5. Be available to your clients. All the hi-tech communication devices in the world won't matter to your clients if you aren't accessible.
"Rachel was extremely responsive to all our emails and phone calls, emphatic to the emotional whirlwind we were experiencing . . . To all first-time home buyers, Rachel makes a stressful, but extremely rewarding experience, a little bit easier to handle."
Kristofer Dodge and Kelly Rain
6. Follow through for your clients so that the transaction is smooth for them.
"As first-time homebuyers, we appreciated your willingness to take the time to walk us through the whole process, from taking us from home to home (to home...) all the way through negotiations with the sellers and final closing. Your positive attitude, good listening skills and attention to detail made the process a surprisingly pleasant experience."
"As a first-time home buyer I was very nervous about the huge financial commitment I was about to make. On top of that, I worried that my home search would drag on in what was a turbulent market. Rachel made sure that I saw only the properties that met my many requirements while also serving as a fantastic guide in writing and negotiating my purchase agreement. Thank you, Rachel, for helping put my mind at ease during what is normally a nerve-racking process. I couldn't imagine being happier with the way things worked out."
Adam Cole
Are you ready to buy or sell your Washington DC property with Rachel Valentino?
The Atlantic Coast Connection: Long & Foster Real Estate
Cell: (202) 270-6972 www.rachelvalentino.com
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