I admit I have been eavesdropping.

I am sitting on an airplane writing this blog. Real estate follows me everywhere! I am listening to two men next to me talking about purchasing real estate. They are both moving to other states. Ironic! I admit I have been eavesdropping. They have been talking about their buying experience and the process of long distance house hunting. My ears perked at the sound of buyer talk. One is having good luck with his Realtor (we will call the buyer John). He apparently has a seasoned realtor helping him with his search (we will call him Fred). John is very excited about meeting Fred and finding a house. Fred sends him listings everyday by email. (John has been looking at property on line at Realtor.com) From maps and school data Fred sent him, John has derived the part of town is best suited for his children and family. He has a list of homes he is looking forward to seeing. Fred has made appointments and is picking John up at the airport. They will spend the next 3 days looking at property and the town. John is really happy that Fred is taking the time to show him not only real estate but local landmarks and facilities that make a place a home. The other guy is clueless. He has a pile of listing papers that he downloaded and printed from the internet. He has talked to lots of agents in the area but does not want to commit to one person. He is afraid he will not find a home his wife will like. He has no Idea of where the best schools are located. No one is picking him up and he has no appointments lined up in advance. He has been asking John how he hooked up with his Realtor Fred. John said he went on line and found the website that had lots of information. He emailed the realtor. The realtor emailed back with property listings using John’s criteria. John did not give his phone number at first because the job was not firm. Then he called Fred. Fred picked up the phone immediately. After listening to John, Fred was able to hone in on exactly what John liked. Clueless said he did not want anyone calling him, he could find out the best deal on his own. Fred reminds me of me. When a inquiry comes to me via email. I use the criteria given to create a search. I don’t send them my listings (unless they are appropriate). I inquire if the information is on target and tweak as necessary. I do unto others as I would have them do unto me. I don’t spam, sell my lists or badger anyone. I answer my phone always during working hours and if on the other line and can’t answer I call whomever back a.s.a.p. I hope clueless hooks up with a good realtor that takes him under their wing. Clueless needs help. Man I wish I sold property in Mississippi! I would have loved to educate him and help him find  a house.