Why do people assume a realtor team is better?
I understand how teams may have better name recognition. They tend to advertise more, or have a big rainmaker who gets most of the business, while the other team members do the day to day work. But from the perspective of the buyer or seller, is bigger really better?
We have all worked deals with well known groups. Every town has them. Whenever I finish a deal with one of these groups, I just shake my head and wonder why people think they are getting such great service from a team.
Does the agent actually pick up the phone when called? I do. If I miss the call, I call back within the hour. Do most groups? What about getting back to clients with information? What length of time does it take to respond to an email? A text? The larger the group, the more of a headache I end up with as I never am quite sure who I am dealing with. Clearly the buyers and sellers deal with this too.
I pride myself with anticipating two steps ahead of every scenario. This way I can prepare for whatever happens. Is this possible with multiple people handling one transaction?
Say you have a big name rainmaker who gets the listing. That will probably be the last you see him until settlement. They go in to the listing presentation with all the swagger that makes naïve sellers think he will be doing all the work getting their house sold, when really, the actual work is handed to someone they probably haven't even met yet. Try getting ahold of the rainmaker post listing agreement. He is too busy at the next listing appointment.
In real estate, there are about a hundred little things that need to be executed to get to settlement. When I am the clients realtor, I know every one will be done. Over and over I have seen groups drop the ball which can have large consequences unbeknownst to the buyers/sellers.
Maybe it's just me, that is why I left the corporate world to be self employed. But I expect good service, in fact, I demand it. And I pride myself on giving exceptional service to every client.
Personally, I like single practitioners in medicine vs a large group. Same with shopping, I much prefer dealing with the owner of a small local business than a chain. So I may not earn what the big guys do, but I know every client, and where they are in their deals, and give 110% every single day.