"So, What is a GOOD Real Estate Agent?"

Your blog really speaks to what is the definition of good, If good is a big pipeline and money then prospecting is more important. If being good means what you talked about then.... Maybe a part of the definition of being good should include being respected. If that is the case then with a heavy weight on your points and being monetarily successful can be included  

Gary Keller tells a story about a ceramics class that ultimately ends with the addage "the quality is IN the quantity".  By doing more, you get better. 

With that said, I think that there MUST be some of both in order to be able to survive, succeed, and then thrive.  If you are a GREAT agent, by your definition, it means little if no one puts you to work.  And you can be a master at prospecting and getting new business but it will mean NOTHING 5 years from now when you have basically churned and burned through your area and are not getting any repeat and/or referral business.

So I think that you MUST know how to generate business and you must always STRIVE to be good with the business you do...strive to do even better every day.  That would more likely be a pattern for success rather than sitting on your hands "learning" how to be a great agent before you actually start "being" an agent.  I honestly see it everyday that agents wait and wait and wait...presumably until they KNOW everything to jump in and do anything and that is a direct route to failure and out of the business regardless of how GOOD you are.

FASCINTATING food for thought, Jennifer.  I agree with you and Ron.(among others...)
YES, you do need to be good
YES, you do need a client to be good WITH !  (How's that for using a preposition to end a sentence with?)

Moral of the story:  Be good all the time, prospect enough to earn what you want.

FASCINTATING food for thought, Jennifer.  I agree with you and Ron.(among others...)
YES, you do need to be good
YES, you do need a client to be good WITH !  (How's that for using a preposition to end a sentence with?)

Moral of the story:  Be good all the time, prospect enough to earn what you want.

What's with the system now

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Sweet Jen - important enough to attack my keyboard one handed! the answer is rather simple. a good real estate agent does his or her job. a good agent does not have to read the NAR code of ethics. a good agent lives by them naturally. a good agent understands fiduciary implicitly.

a successful agent may be viewed subjectively or objectively. standards are always in the eye of the beholder. the truth is only found in the heart of the agent.

production is impacted by several factors, not the least is locale. production is important to brokers because they have to keep the doors open. they are not black hearted, they are bottom line oriented. we need them too.

a good agent prospects naturally through the way they do their business.

my two cents, hammered out one handed for my fav j-dawg

Jennifer- I think your definition of a good agent is spot on.

Jennifer-

Your description is great.  I have found what we might consider a good agent based upon production is not a good agent if there is a big wake left behind them with unsatisfied clients and lawsuits! 

As usual Jennifer you hit the nail on the head... how'd you get so smart anyway and when are you starting your training/motivational speaker tour?

You stated many definitions that are key to being a good real estate agent. I just wanted to add an addendum ;).  After we've built rapport, we have to MAINTAIN that relationship for the entire time frame, until the transaction is complete, and then continue it AFTER completion as well.

Great, well presented post.  Thanks for giving us a good job description.  Nice to read the positive things in a world that isn't.

Jennifer, Great list.  Thanks for sharing this with us.  I'm working hard at perfecting this list for myself.

Jennifer, LOL....you are so dead on. There are agents in my area that sell a ton of homes, but I would not turn to them if I was looking to buy or sell. Their clients are nothing more than a number and paycheck. Not only do they not provide good service...in many cases they aren't ethical....I may not sell as many, but my clients are happy....and I can sleep at the end of the day.

Dave

All those things make a good agent- add people skills to the top of the list.  Unfortunately, I know many top producers, but they sure lack people skiils! 

You know, being "good" can be summarized by "I take care of my clients."  For me, that includes emotionally & financially.  I pick up the phone, and whatever is on the other line - from faxing a paper to negotiating $60K in repairs, I take care of it.  If it's a crying Buyer, I handle it.  If it's a frustrated exploding Seller, I handle it.  And I agree that being "good" has nothing to do with production.  Production can be a result of smart marketing/niche establishment rather than an indication of your expertise with clients.

I think it can be a little of both.  You need some production to keep you going, but you have to consistently and relentlessly be there for your clients.  Not to mention follow up with them for years to come.(And I don't just mean drip campaign emails)  Great blog Jenn!

Great post and your description of a good real estate agent is right on. I have seen realtors that are all production and are not good real estate agents.

Great definition of a 'good agent'!  Everyone in the business should strive to be one :).