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Are you a Helicopter Agent?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Beam & Branch Realty TREC #547752

Are you a Helicopter Agent?

Helicopter Agent

Have you ever heard the term, Helicopter Parent?  These are parents who hover over their children in such a way that the child never learns to do anything for themselves.  As I have read various articles on this phenomenon, it occurred to me that there could be such a thing as a Helicopter Agent!

 

The dictionary defines this term as:

A parent who takes an overprotective or excessive interest in the life of their child or children.

 

Hmm, this would be considered to be a really good thing for any real estate agent to be referred to by their clients.  Being protective and having excessive interest in whatever real estate transaction that you are involved in is wonderful.  Hands-on, pro-active and heading potential issues off at the pass are the traits that a Helicopter Agent would possess.

 

My little grandson took his first helicopter ride a few months ago.  I will never forget him saying, "Wow, things that look big on the ground look tiny from up here!"  Isn't that a true statement in our business as real estate agents.  Often things can appear to be a mess up close, yet when we take a look from another vantage point we can many times see a different route to take.

 

Yes indeed, I stive to be a Helicopter Agent for my clients.  I WANT you to know what is going on.  I want you to know that I AM involved from day one, throughout the transaction and beyond.  Hovering over the details is what I do.  I do this so my client's won't have to worry that the ball is being dropped.

 

Soaring through a transaction with a bird's eye view will help insure that things are going smoothly. And if there are any turbulent spots along the way, I am there to get things back on track.  Being able to see the details in a transaction from a different vantage point is always a good thing.

 

The next time you are looking for a real estate agent who will be there for you from start to finish, consider CHEVAUX Group, PLLC!  We know the area, love what we do and we will fly high for you too! Come soar with us through your next real estate transaction!

 

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Comments (18)

Stefan Winter
Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV
Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

Very good comparison, never thought of it this way, but for us agents it is a good thing. Thanks for sharing & have a great week!

Oct 26, 2015 04:51 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Thanks Stefan Winter .  I too have always thought of this in a negative way until I looked at through my agent eyes.

Oct 26, 2015 04:52 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Good post Paula.  We have to hover over the transaction, the negotiations, etc.  The clients aren't going to know how to land!!

Oct 26, 2015 07:58 AM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Some pilots can hover too close.....just sayin'.....doubt that you would though.

Oct 26, 2015 08:23 AM
Christi Farrington
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
~ Your representative in Fairfield County, CT

Got me with the title!  I wasn't a Helicopter Parent, but I am a Helicopter Agent. As far as I know, everyone seems to be happy and doing well - children and clients!  

Oct 26, 2015 08:41 AM
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

Great blog Paula. I have never heard of the expression before, but it's a good one. In my mind, I was thinking about being like a orchestra conductor, making beautiful music... LOL, and then a tank platoon commander when things don't go so well. 

Oct 26, 2015 08:42 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Keeping an eye on the details vs personal interference is sometimes a fine line with certain agents. Always reminds me of the phrase 'my clients' said in the possessive.

Nice new pic btw.

Oct 26, 2015 09:10 AM
Keith Whited
RE/MAX Gateway - Alexandria, VA

Great post and an ideal way to look at wht we do - - so long as we don't hover so close that our rotors are trimming the hedges.

Oct 26, 2015 09:54 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Not a helicopter parent, I spend all my helicopter time with my clients. Yep

Oct 26, 2015 10:25 AM
Christine Gerbehy
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox and Roach Northfield - Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Making waves, one home at a time...

Paula McDonald love Love LOVE THIS!!!  I've had other agents tell e I was killing what would be easy deals.  They would be my buyers buying TRAIN wrecks for homes!  I try to EDUCATE my buyers by showing them mold, termite damage, etc...  Yes, I AM a helicopter agent!

Oct 26, 2015 02:42 PM
Rick Frissell
HomeXpress Realty - Valrico, FL
aka "The Red Baron of Real Estate"

Great analagy.  I market myself as the Red Baron of Real Estate, using the Tri Wind plane for a logo.  Great word pictures to with it.  I have never thought from the perspective you offered.  Fits well with my marketing and hope you do not mind my use of it.

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

Charles Caleb Colton



Oct 26, 2015 10:18 PM
DEANNA C. SMITH CERTIFIED MOBILE NOTARY
Certified Mobile Notary Signing Agent - Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Highest Ranked Certified Mobile Notary in Virginia

WOW, what a fabulous post !   Loved it !   I am a helicopter lender for sure.   I am always hovering over my files and my clients.   And yes, the perspective is different when you look at problems from all angles.

If folks want a smooth landing, they should fly through their real estate transactions with Paula McDonald 

Oct 27, 2015 12:02 AM
Kim Gaston
RE/MAX Advantage Realty - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs REALTOR®, CNE (719)661-6987

Great post, Paula McDonald . I'm sure your clients appreciate your expert navigation skills getting them to closing.

Oct 27, 2015 12:06 AM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

Paula, you hit the bulls-eye! Taking care of our consumers should be our deepest desire. They often are guided by emotions and we have to rise above that and guide them to a satisfactory landing.

Thanks for giving this a name: Helicopter Agent.

Oct 27, 2015 12:09 AM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Better a helicopter agent than a U2 agent. Great post.

Oct 27, 2015 02:29 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Paula

I think it's an apt analogy. We DO need to hover over the details and keep watch over it all, close up and at a distance. I think you have to be careful about micromanaging everything, however.

What you DON'T want to do is be a helicopter listing agent, if attending, who won't give buyers and their agent any space during showings. Had one a few months ago and wrote a post about it. It really became rather annoying for me but espeically for my clients.

Jeff

Oct 27, 2015 08:23 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Nice analogy, Paula McDonald .  Just goes to show things can be good or bad, depending on the circumstances.  

Oct 28, 2015 10:15 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Paula... I'm not overly fond of helicopter parents, but I will admit to being a helicopter agent... I've always believed that's part of what I'm being paid for--to protect my clients' interests and to know what's happening with a transaction at all times.

Oct 31, 2015 11:35 PM