Step 2 of overcoming the Mid-20's crisis: Calling me to set up an appointment

Right now I am desperately searching for music to listen to while I write the next segment. I need something inspirational and uplifting, yet still speaks to my ingrained emotional, somewhat depressed side that is part of the genetic makeup of those of us in Gen-Y. Who to listen to? Who to listen to? We all know how much easier it is to write when you're listening to a great song/album.

OK, so here we are, and let's begin.

Does anyone else find it strange that in "How to Save A Life" by The Fray they start it off saying, "Step one: you say we need to talk" but then they never give you a step two? I'm not going to do that to my readers. I will actually give you a step two. So, lift that next foot and put it out in front of you because we're off, heading down the intellectual highway that is held within the six inches I have between my ears.

Step two; Calling me, or whatever agent you have foolishly decided could do a better job than I can do, to set up that appointment.

The best thing about being in the position that you are now in (remember the Palmeiro, Ortiz thing I talked about last time) is that not only are you a high commodity to the sellers of your first/next home, but you are now the most desired type of client to every real estate agent in the known free world. You are ready to get out of your parents, or out of your lease. You are willing to set up the appointments and make the time necessary to look at houses and meet with an agent. And thanks to that letter you hold triumphantly in your hand you have proof that you are able to buy. You are what we call a Ready, Willing, and Able Buyer, (we're real estate agents, not poets, but to put that phrase into terms we will all easily understand, you are now the prom date we all wish we had our senior year) some agents might refer to you as a Type 'A' Buyer and I don't mean that whole Type "A" personality Alpha-male stuff we hear about about all the time. You being a Type 'A' buyer means we are on our knees thanking God that you have just called us. Take a moment to soak in the fact that you are not only wanted by approximately 2.5 Million real estate agents nationwide, you are downright desired and loved by us.

How do you pick your agent? That's easy, you pick up the phone you call the number at the bottom of this blog and you get me. But if you want to shop around, and I understand if you do, you ask around. Talk to your friends, parents, preacher/pastor/rabbi/spiritual leader, and ask them who they have used (many times if you ask them who they know, they know a daughter of a friend who got her license and they don't know how good at the job she is but her mother is oh, so sweet, and they are just sure that her daughter will be the same way and work extra special hard for you). Only use people that you can get actual references, make sure they have successfully completed a transaction, and it went by basically with out a hitch.

How a conversation with me might go:

[ring]

Me: This is Matt.

Prom date buyer: Hi, Matt my name is Jessica Alba, I read your blog and I decided to call you and give you a quick interview over the phone.

KWR Matt: Hi Jessica, I'm a huge fan, and I would love to answer any questions you might have.

Susan Storm: Well, I guess I would like to know why I should use you.

The genius known as me: Well, Jessica, is it okay for me to call you Jessica? I am what is known in the real estate industry as a buyer's agent, which means that I don't deal with listings, I work specifically with and for you.

Dark Angel: That sounds great, but wouldn't you know the houses better if you worked with listings?

Yours Truly: Well you see, I work on a team so that each member of the team can focus on what talents they have. In my case I don't deal with listings, but I do spend a portion of my week 'previewing' properties so I have my finger on the pulse of what is going on in the real estate market in my area.

Honey: Well that makes since.

The now very star struck Matt: Well, Jess, if it would be okay with you I would like to set up an appointment so that I can better explain the process of purchasing your first home.

L'il Nancy Callahan: That would be great.

The very arrogant Matt: Would it be alright if I asked you a few questions just so that I could serve you better?

Dark Angel: Sure!

Swooning Matt: Would you be paying cash or would you be needing to obtain financing?

Susan Storm: Oh, I already spoke with a loan officer because your blog told me too, and they gave me a letter saying that I was approved for $X.00.

Dancing in his head Matt: Excellent, and have you signed anything with any other agents in the past year?

The only reason to watch Into the Blue: No, I wanted to talk to you first after I read your blog.

Almost passing out because she only wanted me: Well that's great, so would Wednesday at 3 or Thursday at 2 be better for you?

L'il Nancy Callahan: Wednesday at 3 would be great!!!

Slightly choked up: Then I will see you then at my office. You know where it is right?

Honey: I do, I will see you there.

[hang up, and pass out]

Now, I probably won't pass out for most of the people that call me, but you get the idea of what it might sound like and what to expect. Once you have the appointment there are things you need to know, and what to expect from the meeting. Those will happen next time when we go over Step 3 of Overcoming the Mid-20's Crisis: Sitting down with Matt and talking about what you are looking for and when you want it done.

As always, ladies and gentlemen, now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

I will talk with you all again soon, and remember if you have any questions please feel free to call me at 703.393.1336, and you can visit my team on the web at The Wright Miller Company's Website and be sure to leave me a comment here and I will be ever so great full. And bonus points goes to the person who can tell me who i finally ended up listening too.