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Reaching Across the Table-Listing Agents & Buyer’s Agents Working Together

Real Estate Agent with Integrity Real Estate Group

February 07, 2009 01:58 AM

Reaching Across the Table Is a new day dawning in real estate? I'm currently in various stages of four transactions and am finding a new level of professionalism that had slipped by the wayside a few years ago.

Three of the properties are my listings and each of the buyer agents are on top of the documents and time schedules even when we have had a few technology issues no one is losing their cool. My listing in Westridge is under contract with another local Active Rain blogger Peggy James and it has been like old friends working together even though we still haven't meet face to face. While I was out of town Peggy kept her clients calm while I dealt with multiple three way phone calls to my clients to come to agreement on contract terms.

A few miles down the road another RE/MAX Allegiance agent and I have had the hardest time getting our fax and emails to talk to each other. In this case I am working with the buyers and despite it all we just call, laugh and go to plan B. He hand delivered the condo documents to the buyer and since her husband is deployed the sellers are accommodating schedule changes to make sure she is comfortable with signing all of the documents herself.

My new construction listings always have a level of complexity. Scheduling all of the finishing work can be a chore and I have two under contract now with different requirements. It never fails that contractors find an issue that they weren't expecting when they go to install the buyer's custom finishes. Again the buyer's agent has worked with his client's to help them understand the electrician has to be there before the painter and the painter can't finish until the flooring is installed and on and on and on.

A few years ago it seemed like every time I picked up the phone an agent was yelling about something and the world was coming to an end. Today I'm happy to answer my phone and hopefully the other agents are also happy to hear from me too. Hopefully this is a change that will continue into the future. Professionalism in our current market goes a long way to smoothing over the bumps that are sure to happen in every transaction.

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Pat Tasker

Shorewest Realtors - Germantown, WI

Your Milwaukee Metro Area Agent (WI)

Isn't is nice to work with Pros? With the recent thinning of the heard, hopefully we are down to the pros now!

Feb 07, 2009 01:17 PM

Anonymous

Cindy, I think the market is flushing out a lot of the jerks. I'm also noticing much more professional colleagues.

Feb 07, 2009 01:24 PM

#37

Brian Lee Burke

Kenna Real Estate - Lone Tree, CO

Broker & Advising Expert-Kenna Luxury Real Estate

Cindy - now that you mentioned it... yes, I think it was been more pleasant lately. It is also extremely helpful when other agents know you and that you get things done and are easy to work with. We have lately found this especially in multiple offer situations :) - ~Rita

Feb 07, 2009 01:51 PM

Anonymous

Edith Schreiber - www.HomesofDallasTexas.com

Thanks for your thoughts....how right you are about the importance of professionalism, particularly in these challenging times. Sounds like you take your job seriously!

At least for me, it seems that I work with the best.....and then the other extreme.

In this day & age of MULTIPLE available means for communicating (cell phones, v/m, e-mail, Blackberry's, etc.), I am continually amazed at the number of agents out there who place little or no importance on timely responses.

Bottom line....our clients are the ones who pay the price!

Feb 07, 2009 01:55 PM

#39

JB Brookman

JB Brookman Photography - Franklin, TN

High School Senior Portrait Photographer

Cindy- SO great to hear! This is what our business should be all about!

Feb 07, 2009 02:02 PM

Jennifer Walker-Derby

Re/Max Westside - Marietta, GA

Real Estate Extraordinaire

Cindy,

I am experiencing the exact same thing. I think it is a combination of unexperienced agents leaving the business and the rest grateful for the business they have...

good luck

Feb 07, 2009 02:05 PM

Debbie White

Southeast Alaska Real Estate - Juneau, AK

I Sell Alaska!

That's so refreshing! Hopefully soon, all will realize this isn't a combat sport! I've been fortunate enough to spend my career in a small town where bad behavior is usually rewarded by lunch with a seasoned veteran. It's one invitation you don't want to get from what I hear!

Feb 07, 2009 04:50 PM

Myrick Tantiado

Alain Pinel Realtors - San Francisco, CA

Congrats on your steady flow of positive, smooth, and professionally-handled transactions!

Feb 07, 2009 05:50 PM

Myrick Tantiado

Alain Pinel Realtors - San Francisco, CA

Congrats on your steady flow of positive, smooth, and professionally-handled transactions!

Feb 07, 2009 05:50 PM

Mark Phillips

RE/MAX Hometown - Magnolia, TX

As a lender, I have felt like referee for few years now. I have noticed a change in the professionalism of all parties as of late. I believe the people that were causing the proplems have been forced out of the business. Whether it is by bad behavior or market conditions they are going. The cream will always rise to the top.

Feb 07, 2009 06:02 PM

Bruce Brown

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty - Leland, NC

Excellent point to be stressed, Cindy. I find the longer I work in this field (5+ years now) the more business I get from (and give to) other agents with whom I've had smooth transactions in the past. When people ask about where business comes from and I say "mostly referrals" they don't realize that many of those referrals are from local agents, which is a huge bonus to any REALTORs business.

Feb 07, 2009 09:52 PM

SarahGray Lamm

Allen Tate Realtors Chapel Hill, NC 919-819-8199 - Chapel Hill, NC

Realtor - 100K Hours of NC Real Estate Experience

So true! Every conversation I have with another agent these days is supportive, friendly and upbeat. I had an agent apologize the other day because she coudn't reach her client who had been rushed to the hospital and she was sorry it was inconvenient for my client! Is this the return to civility and "it ain't all about me" that seems to have gone by the wayside while the market was hot? I hope so!

Feb 07, 2009 11:46 PM

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®

Lewisburg, WV

Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

This professionalism makes real estate so much easier.

Feb 08, 2009 12:48 AM

Kay Van Kampen

RE/MAX Broker, RE/MAX - Springfield, MO

Realtor®, Springfield Mo Real Estate

This is happening all over. Maybe the Un...professional's have left the building. Sure is easier to work with buyers, sellers and realtors when all cooperate.

Feb 08, 2009 02:18 AM

The Somers Team

The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia - Philadelphia, PA

Delivering Real Estate Happiness

Cindy - That is awesome ! Professionalism goes a long way in building relationships, not just with clients, but with other realtors as well. Thanks for sharing that. Is a great reminder for all of us !

Feb 08, 2009 03:01 AM

Elizabeth Cooper-Golden

Huntsville Alabama Real Estate, (@ Homes Realty Group) - Huntsville, AL

Huntsville AL MLS

This is so good to hear...I think alot of 'wanna be Realtors' dropped in '08, and we should see many more drop this year. It's time to get back to the basics of being professional, first and foremost. 2 good agents working together for one end goal is always such a great experience! Hope it continues for you! The last couple of deals I have had have been positive as well, come to think of it....hummm.

Feb 08, 2009 03:29 AM

Lisa Udy

Platinum Real Estate Group - Logan, UT

Logan Utah Realtor

Cindy,

This is a sign of the times, I think everyone is being more curtious cause they realize we are under the gun. If we, as realtors, wanna stay afloat we need to be better than ever, and this is a sign of the good realtor's shining through. Great story and keep up the effort!

-Lisa

Feb 08, 2009 05:27 AM

Kelsey Barklow

Hurd Realty - Johnson City, TN

423/948-9154

Maybe not quite the level of professionalism that I am hoping for, but many agents seem to be a bit (or even a lot) nicer now that the market has changed. Funny, huh?

Oh and great post.

Feb 08, 2009 09:38 AM

Janet Riley

Coldwell Banker Residential real Estate - Orlando, FL

I have recently gone through a short sale closing that encountered just about every problem you can get. Every day brought a new problem or delay that left the seller and/or buyer agitated and/or upset and guess who bore the brunt of it? It was a very difficult situation and put a huge strain on both me and the buyer's agent but we managed it all better by being supportive towards each other. As we were in daily contact with each other and both aiming for the same goal (get it closed!) we developed quite a rapport so maybe it's the fact that we're all having to work harder in difficult times that's creating a bond. Whatever the reason, I know that working together made a very stressful period more manageable.......and successful.

Feb 08, 2009 11:12 PM

Benjamin Clark

Homebuyer Representation, Inc. - Salt Lake City, UT

Buyer's Agent - Certified Negotiation Expert

I think one good thing about a market slowdown is that it leaves only the true professionals in the business. I am as busy as ever and enjoying my job more than ever. Thanks for the good news!

Feb 09, 2009 01:55 PM