Is YOUR Twin Cities Real Estate Agent a Dabbler?

A decade ago, during the first big real estate surge, I was an agent. I started in the business a few years prior to when everything exploded. I didn’t become an agent because there was “easy” money to be made. I transitioned out of a corporate marketing job to help people through the complicated process of buying and/or selling a home. And when the going got tough, I didn’t hang up my license or take up a part time job for cash. I was a REALTOR® and in the business for the long haul. 

Once again the housing market is strong. And with the strong market come hundreds of new agents (and those dusting off their licenses that have been on ice for since 2007). These dabblers are jumping back into the real estate game. Often they start by contacting friends and relatives to “help” them as their first clients. Is your agent one of these real estate dabblers? 

Why it Matters 

One of the many things I have learned is that real estate is a business of continuous education and change. REALTORS® who are in it as a profession learn something from every transaction and apply it to their next deal.  A new agent or one who sells a home or two a year doesn’t have that bank of education to draw from.  This helps with negotiation when reviewing offers and writing an offer that will make the cut in a multiple offer situation. This is essential when assessing properties with a first time home buyer and determining the best list price for a property. 

My experience helping home buyers and sellers whether their move was during a down market or in this most recent upswing is invaluable to my clients. I put this knowledge to work to help them make the best decisions for their situation. In the past few months, my expertise has saved my client’s thousands of dollars regardless of whether buying or selling. Dabblers don’t have this expertise.

Who do you want on your side? A seasoned professional or a dabbler?