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I Want To Hold Your Hand

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Ward County Notary Services 607851

I am sure we have all worked on a project only to have it ruined at the last minute. If you are a DYI person like me sometimes at the end of a project you find an extra part that should have been installed somewhere back near the front of the project.

Real Estate can be much the same way. There is an order/process to getting things put together so that you have a happy ending. This is what separates the pro from the casual Real Estate agent. The seasoned pro vs the newbie who just received their license.

If you are looking for a home look for warning signs as to if you are working with a pro or a hard NO! Here are some red flags.

If the agent does not ask you if you are pre-approved by a lender in the first 5 minutes of visiting it's a red flag.

If the agent doesn't ask about your families needs but instead asks what is your dream house it's a red flag.

If the agent does not clarify with you if you need to sell a home before purchasing a home it's a red flag. A seasoned agent will also ask WHO will be in on the decision to purchase a home. 

I have sold homes to married men who did not consult their wife and it has ended in disaster. Along those same lines we have found the perfect home BUT we needed approval from the father-in-law who builds homes (that has been a mixed bag of dreams dashed or "we just had to ask him but his opinion really doesn't matter".

A good agent is going to ask a lot of questions, they want to make sure you do not end up with Buyers Regret.

This is just the beginning of happy house hunting. You need to start with an agent you trust, one who will walk you through ALL aspects of the process. Be patient, let the Real Estate professional hold your hand and lead you through the process.

 

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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Bob - last minute surprises can be frightening.  Of course, there are likely clues of trouble far before.  

Feb 18, 2025 03:20 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

WOW, think about how often we ignore clues Michael Jacobs because we just imagine/want our happy ending.

Feb 18, 2025 06:28 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Bob "RealMan" Timm - it's clear you've seen your fair share of DIY disasters and know how to spot a pro from a mile away, so it's great to get your take on what makes a top-notch real estate agent!

Feb 18, 2025 04:04 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Most of the DIY disasters I've seen were in FSBO's Lew Corcoran 😊. I have seen DIY furniture disasters, I used to work for a company that assembled models for retail stores.

Feb 18, 2025 06:36 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Bob- those 3 key pieces can put your project on hold or certainly delay it. 

Feb 18, 2025 05:48 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

There are plenty of pit falls in our profession and regretfully we cause some of them ourselves (not you and me  of course Kathy Streib) .

Feb 18, 2025 06:42 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Bob,

There is no question a good agent is going to ask a lot of questions and if they don't you might want to keep the search going for the right agent.

Feb 18, 2025 08:09 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

That is exactly my point Dorie Dillard Austin TX . Why settle for okay when there are many excellent agents out there.

Feb 19, 2025 07:36 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Bob... I always knew there was a reason I did no DIY in my life. 

Feb 19, 2025 04:24 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

If a person lays out all the parts in an orderly fashion and follows the directions to a "T" there is a pretty good chance it will all work out Nina Hollander, Broker , my Love. That being said some instructions are in broken English and impossible to follow.

Feb 19, 2025 07:43 AM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

Had to laugh at this post a bit.  I bought the first North Idaho house without my wife knowing.  Wanting to surprise her.  lol  6 months after arriving she left.  Oh well.  Maybe should have told her we were renting...

Feb 19, 2025 05:35 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Telling her you were renting would have been brilliant Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho . I probably would have done the same as you so thanks for the heads-up.

Feb 19, 2025 07:45 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I have tried a few DIY projects over the years and I have found out that I am not very good at them so I mainly trust professionals to do them for me nowadays, haha.

Feb 19, 2025 05:38 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Some are nearly impossible Brian England , especially when you can not understand the directions. 

Feb 19, 2025 07:46 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Good morning! Yes indeed, the right questions are important!

 

Feb 19, 2025 05:40 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Kat Palmiotti did you read Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho reply? Case and point made.

Feb 19, 2025 07:48 AM
Kat Palmiotti

No I hadn't, but now I have. Great response!

Feb 19, 2025 09:14 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Feb 22, 2025 06:21 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Thank you Kathy Streib , it's much appreciated. I'm eager to see your post tomorrow.

Feb 22, 2025 06:46 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Bob. If you don't know why they are looking how can you show them viable properties for consideration. Seek first to understand. You nailed it! Enjoy your day.

Feb 23, 2025 05:22 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Thank you Wayne Martin . I think many agents miss that key point: "know why they are looking".

Feb 23, 2025 05:30 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Hi Bob,

My first and last attempt at a DIY masterpiece was assembling a Swift Wet Mop of doom. Turns out, I’m the Picasso of ignoring instructions! I couldn’t help but interrogate every step like a detective questioning a suspect. 🙃

Feb 23, 2025 10:26 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Thanks for ending my day with a good LOL Aura Alex 😊

Feb 23, 2025 07:13 PM