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If You Find Us A Property Then You'll Be Our Agent

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Real Estate Agent with Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon

If You Find Us A Property Then You'll Be Our Agent

I was recently chatting with a woman who wanted me to search and send over some properties in the Portland Metro area meeting a certain criteria which I'm happy to do..it's what we do. Of course I asked the usual questions like "Are you currently working with an agent?", "Where are you in the pre-approval process" and so on, so I stopped to pause when we were signing off and she threw out there "If you find us a property, then you'll be our agent" right before we hung up. Although it does sound pretty straight forward, I was like.."wait! Hold on! Does this mean you're shopping around?"..but she had already hung up.

At a recent workshop, it was mentioned that the younger generations don't feel the need to be "loyal" to us as agents and find nothing wrong with shopping around online to get the agents to "open doors" when they find something they want to see.

Now, I have no clue of the age of this woman, but I've personally worked with couples in this age group and have found them to be nothing but respectful of my time...but there are however, lots out there that do feel that they can find all the info they need online and the only thing we're really needed for is to get them in to see the home. If you happen to be that lucky agent that happened to show them the home that they like...then BINGO...you get to write it up!

Does that "IF" foster me to want to go all out and work hard for this person? Mywoman working on the computer mind had me thinking that she probably had that very same conversation with several other agents. This is where I think the general public just doesn't realize how much work we do behind the scenes just to get to that property that you might like.

Going through listing after listing weeding out the ones that you know won't work by the initial conversation to find some properties that might work for that second "weeding down" by showing or previewing..but again, lots of time just spent on setting up the showings. Time is money as they say....and a lot expected for an "IF". Our business is of course made up of lots of "If's", but sometimes you get the feeling that some of them might be more  "Iffy" than others.

"If you find us a property, then you'll be our agent". Is this something that you're seeing in your business?  How would you answer that if it was said to you? 


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Knowledgeable, Approachable, Service Oriented

Cindy Westfall ABR,GRI

Premiere Property Group,LLC

5000 Meadows Rd., Ste. 150, Lake Oswego, OR 97035

Cell: 503-819-5241      

E-Mail: cindy@cindywestfall.com

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Disclaimer: All views on my blog are my own and may not reflect that of Premiere Property Group. All pictures and content are my own unless otherwise noted. Please No Copying without my permission.

 Cynthia Westfall is licensed in Oregon State

 

Comments (21)

Tanja Cisliek
Future Home Realty - Seminole, FL
Real estate with passion and professionalism!

Yes Cindy, I have heard that before. It's a tough call, there is a chance for business with that person, just that one has to beat every other agent that is out there and that this person is working with at all. It would probably depend on how busy I was at that time, that's scenario that might be wise to walk away from. But, that person could just realize that they really only want/need one agent after a little while, so if I had the time, I'd give it a shot!

Oct 22, 2012 10:53 AM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

I know that to be true of the younger generation. Maybe not everyone is like that, but enough are that it's becoming a stereotype. The thing is, no matter what niche you're attracted to, there are difficulties involved. Seniors find the entire moving process very overwhelming and may take a long while to decide on anything. People interested in vacation properties just like to waste a lot of agents' time on rainy days when they can't think of anything else to do. Where am I going with this? Oh, yeah. Real estate is hard work. What you put up with depends on how busy you are, I suppose.

Oct 22, 2012 10:59 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Tanja, Of course I looked at property, sent them links and asked to narrow things down. These particular people are out of the country..so I typically will do more at this point. I will chat up a bit more with her to get a better feel and ask more qualifying questions, but ultimately, our job is based on Ifs.

Oct 22, 2012 11:26 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Jill, You have some very valid points and well said. It's really up to us as agents to decide if we are willing to take a loss should this "IF" not work out. I know I've worked my tail off for so called "sure things" with things falling apart at the last minute. It is part of our job..sales...just wish we had a way to define or pin down buyers that might be shopping around. The last buyer broker I used was the one guy that told me after several months..several offers that he was taking a break from looking because he broke his leg...ha! I did a search several months later and he purchased a house in a neighborhood that wasn't even on the radar.This is just part of our business that we have to shake off.

Oct 22, 2012 11:34 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Cindy,I want a commitment from the buyer that he is working with me as I would make a commitment to work hard for him. I can't get excited working for someone when he is bouncing all over talking and with other agents promising the same to them.

Oct 22, 2012 11:40 AM
Liz Hill
YOUR CHOICE REALTY CORP BROKERAGE - Barrie, ON

If they are not from North America, they may not have a concept of Buyer Representation! We came from South Africa 8 years ago and it was all new to us and had to be explained very carefully by our agent.

Oct 22, 2012 11:57 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Cindy, run for the hills. This is not limited to a certain age group.

I had someone say this to me once. I was relatively new to real estate. I looked upon it as a challenge. I made sure i sent them listings and showed them several properties. We even got to the point where we were going to write an offer. The buyers got cold feet.

A week later, I sent an email with no response and then called and left a message. Got an email the next day saying they'd bought a house. They were driving by a home as the listing agent was putting her sign in the yard. They stopped, asked to see the house and wrote the offer.

I haven't made that mistake since. While I will show my listings to unrepresented buyers, I require all other buyers sign an agreement with me. They can waste another agent's time--not mine.

Oct 22, 2012 12:48 PM
Kimberly Schaefer
Coldwell Banker Heritage - Dayton, OH
I think that people think about realtors and there value differently. I friend of mine has used the same realtor consistently even though they do not necessarily feel she does much for her commission. Then there are others who don't even think of the agent they used for buying there house when it comes to selling it a few years later.
Oct 22, 2012 01:03 PM
Andrea Bedard
Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD
Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

Hi Cindy, yes, that sounds very familiar and as much as I try to come up with an example when this 'opening line' actually led to a closed transaction, I can't! It may be because they don't know any better or perhaps a bad experience in the past or just ignorance or ... who knows. What I do know is if a buyer is not willing to commit, neither am I!

 

Oct 22, 2012 02:02 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Cindy~so funny that you commented on my blog tonite, as I had YOURS all up and ready and then the phone rang off the hook and I didn't get back to it! Loved this post. How many times I've jumped through hoops thinking, oh, I can't make snap judgements, I need to follow through...I think there are those wishful thinkers/dreamers. I don't want to squash dreams, I just want FEEDBACK that you are not going to do something so I don't waste my time! I've had people come out during holidays...I think it's one of those, "hey, we have nothing BETTER to do, let's hop in the car and go have that lady show us properties at the lake!"

I'm a big relationship person, and have learned the signals when it's just what I call the "lookie loos"....but hey, I still give people the benefit of the doubt during the first go'round. But--I'm learning the signals much earlier!

Oct 22, 2012 02:05 PM
Janna Scharf
Keller Williams Realty Coeur d'Alene - Coeur d'Alene, ID
Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate Expert

I'm not working with many buyers these days, and this is one of the reasons I prefer listings...

Oct 22, 2012 03:11 PM
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

We have a small number of agents in our town and are like a family. If you talk like this client or do something "dirty" to one, word is out and NO one here will help you. I might add, we don't have a need to use Buyer Rep forms here.

Oct 22, 2012 11:48 PM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Debbie, I'm glad you voiced what I was thinking. You want to work hard for every one that contacts you and it's not in my nature to not do so....but yet it does go both ways. I guess my gut was just screaming at me with this one.

Oct 24, 2012 09:28 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Liz..first off, welcome to AR! I know that might be the case ..even with folks from another state as well...but based on some things in our converstaion, they were familiar with the area. I will usually go out of my way even more so for out of state or country folks that contact me to educate them on the process.

Oct 24, 2012 09:30 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Tammie, I think that scenario is something that happens to all of us agents at one point or another..so when we hear certain things said....it reminds us of that. This was one of them. I am treading cautiously on this one.

 

Oct 24, 2012 09:33 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Kimberly, This is totally true! I've had people actually tell me that they were not happy with how their agent is working for them and when I suggest they "just talk to them and let them know"...they are like...NO..we can't do that! Yet, sometimes they go back and use them again. Crazy. Keeping in contact with previous clients and sphere each month does help them to remember you when they need real estate services...but never guarantees it either. We are in a fickly biz! PS..welcome to AR!

Oct 24, 2012 09:37 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Andrea, We do need to get in there and ask those questions to find out why they won't commit without coming across forceful. Fine line and often hard to do.

Hi Gayle..Oh..I'm still needing to get back in and comment on your "crappy" post..LOL. I read it, but then had to run so didn't comment at the time. Only you could get away with that topic coming off in a good way. I would imagine that your gorgeous Fish Hawk Lake would get lots of "day lookers". I've been guilty of doing this as well when at the coast....but yet, we did end up buying something, just not there so ya never know. It's the nature of our job...and sometimes I think that even tire kickers now just might buy something down the line....hopefully using you!!

Hi Janna, I love working with both...but with listings, you know the deal up front...but buyers, you can spend countless months searching, setting up, showing only to have them buy a home with another agent. They both  do have their issues and risks of working hard with no garantee of getting paid though.

Hi Rob, and that is a good thing about working in a small community! I bet you get lots of "day lookers" too that are enamoured by your area and want to look at homes while they are on visiting.

Hi David, If she didn't throw that out right before she hung up...I might have had a chance :)

Oct 24, 2012 09:53 AM
Karen Baker
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty - Sunset Beach, NC
Professional Help with Rapid Responses...

Cindy ~> We have on a couple of occasions had clients let us know (after the fact) that they have more than one agent "looking" for them. When we found this out we question their reasons why. Is it that some people are just plain dumb?  The answer is NO!! We actually called the other agent and asked her!! They know how to work the system. At least the two we thought we were working with did...

Oct 24, 2012 10:53 PM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Cindy, It has been my experience that if they will not take the time to come to the office to discuss their real estate needs, they are simply using agents to get into the home. They are certainly not committed to anyone. I would avoid these type of calls. My time is precious to me if not to those would be buyers.

Oct 26, 2012 06:48 AM