Do Buyers Want to Work with an Assistant?

I think there's a place for licensed assistants, mostly for doing things that require a license but that aren't necessarily 'in front' of the client. Unless it was due to a scheduling conflict, I wouldn't have an assistant show homes to my clients. I'd want to keep the clients in front of me and developing relationships with them.

If you are working in a team concept and all members understand how the team works COLLECTIVELY then I do not believe it really matters who shows the property to a buyer. There is a hierarchy of sorts built in typically with the head team member who helps  pair buyers with the right team member. This type of system requires set roles and expectations to be laid out for everyone. Clients do not feel put off by working with assistants and team members if they are fully informed on how your team works at the very onset.

Actually, IMHO, after years of witnessing struggling first-time agents, I feel that when you first enter real estate, you should have some dsort of probationary period, say 6 months, whereas you DO work as an assistant, to get your feet wet.

Of course, up above, I did not EVEN address your question.....lol  I personally do not think clients mind all that much working with a busy agent's assistant.  As long as they are able to talk to the actual agent from time to time.

My clients hire me. I doubt they would object to interacting with an assistant for administrative items, but I believe you should work with the person you hire...just my opinion!

Courtney - As a mortgage gal, I hear about this particular scenario far too often.  While I am only relaying the feelings of my clients here in the Los Angeles & Ventura counties, there may be others that feel differently about this.

Having said that now, most of my clients that have complained about this scenario typically ended the rant discussion by asking me if I could refer them to a Realtor who wouldn't pass them off to some assistant as soon as some higher ticket buyer came along.

Once again, I don't know what you're situation is and I don't know how the change is made from the other Realtor to you but it seems that many buyers may be a little put off by this practice.

I would never dream of having my assitant show property for me...I don't think that is their place.  

It is so important to have a relationship with our clients.  I would think they would have some trust issues with this.  I don't have experience, so no stories to tell you, lol.