"I'm working with an agent but..."
"...let me ask you about this neighborhood."
"...how much do you think my home is worth?"
"...shouldn't my agent be doing XYZ?"
I probably field some version of these questions and a dozen others every single week from buyers or sellers who find me online via my website or other content. This morning was no exception.
Obviously my first thought is WHY AREN'T THESE PEOPLE CALLING ME FIRST? I'm going to go sit in a corner and think about how to fix that.
The second thought is, WHY ARE THEY CALLING ME AT ALL?
The vast majority of buyers and sellers are, what I would describe as, "real estate novices". They may buy or sell 2-4 homes over the course of their lifetimes. They have little understanding of the real estate market and even less understanding about agency relationships.
It is our job as real estate professionals to EDUCATE our clients and customers about the nature of agency relationships, the benefits of working with ONE AGENT and the hazards of stepping outside of that relationship to seek advice or information about specific transactions.
I won't waste my breath talking about SIGNED AGENCY AGREEMENTS, I know how much the thought of presenting a "contract" to a client scares the pants off of real estate agents.
But perhaps a little conversation with your clients and customers will prevent me, or some other real estate agent, from having to explain to them why they shouldn't cut you out of the transaction on the purchase of their new home.
"I'm working with an agent but I found this home in this neighborhood by myself, do I really need to use them in the purchase of my new home?"
My answer was YES and I gave them a very rational reason.
You're welcome!
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