Renters Need Us, Too
I had a colleague ask me recently why I "wasted my time with renters". This particular colleague has been selling real estate for many years. She went on to tell me she never works with renters, because they just weren't worth her time. My reply was "Refer them to me!"
I realized one of the biggest differences between me and a lot of other Realtors is the fact that I really enjoy my job. At this point in my life, I didn't get into this business for the money, but rather the true enjoyment I get out of helping people (not to mention my love of looking at houses, of course!) I finished my corporate career, and working in real estate is something I've wanted to do most of my adult life. I consider myself very lucky to be able to do something I enjoy so much. Money is certainly an incentive, but it wasn't and isn't why I do this job.
HIGH RENT DISTRICT
I happen to live in one of the most expensive areas in the country to buy real estate. When people living in other areas around the country think of a million dollar house, they probably think of some expansive mansion where a high priced CEO might live. Trust me, a million dollar house found in many neighborhoods in the proximity of the San Francisco Bay Area is merely a nice house. Nothing special, not a mansion, and the owners are probably a middle-class working couple living pay check to pay check with kids, car payments, and lot of credit card debt.
You see, because real estate is so expensive here, many people cannot afford to buy a house. They have good jobs with high priced salaries and can afford monthly payments. In order to buy a single family house (with only 10% down), they just don't have the $80,000 - $100,000 needed to get into a house. Even buying a condo in this area can require more than $40,000, and often condos aren't big enough for a family. Just because they can't afford to buy in this area, does that mean they can't have a nice house, too?
Another reason people rent in this area is due to job relocation. We have many corporate businesses in the area, and there is always someone moving here for a specific period of time. They want to find a nice place to rent, near a good school for their kids, and in a neighborhood where they will be happy for as long as they are able to live here. Shouldn't there be someone wiling to show them houses for rent?
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
We all know that a successful real estate agent builds relationships. It's also not just who you know, but 
how many people you know, know other people. Sure, I may not make much money finding a rental for someone, but I have the opportunity to get a lot more. I can make new friends, get satisfaction from helping someone who needs help, and to those people who think it's about money, yes, there is the potential of selling someone a house down the road, or being referred to someone they know who is in the position to buy instead of rent.
If you are one of those agents who don't want to spend time with renters, there is nothing wrong with that. Do something nice, though, and find an agent who is willing to help.
Renters Need Us, Too
Comments(5)