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Neighborhood expert.....Really???

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Real Estate Agent with Hicor Realty Group 0429650

Neighborhood expert...Really?Ask the Expert

What do you honestly feel the general public expects of real estate agents? What do they perceive our job to be? I started to dive deeper into this question after a recent conversation with my 13 year old son, Alex. 

I was having lunch with Alex and we were discussing the events of the day. After we talked about the finer points of his last lacrosse game, he asked me if I had opened any houses for people that day. After I emphatically told him that I do so much more than open doors, I started to wonder if this is really all people expect or perceive real estates agents to do?

How did Alex not know that our jobs entail so much more? I made sure that I detailed out everything that I do to ensure a successful transaction. After the eyes rolled back in the head for the second time, I vowed to make sure that I spread the word!

Would you agree that if we are going to be successful, productive, upstanding real estate sales consultants, we need to know our product? This is pretty basic sales 101, but I promise you many real estate agents fail at this most basic of skills. When was the last time you attended a neighborhood town hall meeting, a planning and zoning meeting, or a homeowners meeting in your favorite neighborhoods? Do you review the city's website for updates? Do you know how the school district ranks compared to others? Do you know important details that will aide your client in making an educated decision on where to call home?

I challenge you to increase your knowledge of the market you sell beyond what you can gleam from your local MLS. Become the Neighborhood expert so many of us claim to be. Let's add value to one of the best professions I know by elevating our game to the next level of service. Get to know your product!

I am off to attend a Realtor Workshop that features the Mayor of one of my cities, but I will continue on this same topic. Experts or door openers???

Smiley

Missy Barry

Real Estate Operations Manager

Sellstate Metro Realty

972.499.6909

 

 

 

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Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

Missy...one thing about the Internet that has changed the landscape is anyone can proclaim they are an expert...and if the website they have is well done...it may make them look that way.

Apr 06, 2011 06:18 AM
Karen Feltman
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA KW Legacy Group - Cedar Rapids, IA
Relocation Specialist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

I agree that the public's perception of what we do is NOT what we think it is.  The agents that stand out are the ones that are out there in their community making a difference.  Great post.

Apr 06, 2011 06:18 AM
Margo Currie
Exit 1 Stop Realty - Saint Augustine Beach, FL

Excellent post. It made me feel just a little guilty for not attending more municipal functions.

Apr 06, 2011 06:28 AM
Matt Grohe
RE/MAX Concepts - Des Moines, IA
Serving the metro since 2003

Thanks for throwing down the gauntlet Missy! I'll take that challenge.

Apr 06, 2011 04:56 PM