How to Work with a Real Estate Broker for the Best Experience
I used to be a real estate agent. I didn’t love the industry but I love talking about the industry and working with real estate agents to help drive their business farther. This is what I really love; being behind the scenes, pushing those on the front-line forward. I love to be part of the bigger picture, have a hand in helping other industries, be it real estate or just about any other business, and focus my attention on marketing, rather than the result, which is usually the customer.
During my few short years as a real estate agent I learned a lot about how to work with agents, how to work with buyers, sellers, and all parties involved in the real estate transaction. My son recently asked me why it takes so long to buy or sell a property. I told him that there are so many different people involved that it takes time for everyone to be on the same page and for all the paperwork and
Because of this, there are some tips and advice I’ve learned along the way in how to get along with everyone. It seems like were such an argumentative culture nowadays that anytime anyone does something nice we don’t even know how to handle it. I have found out that nice, courteous, tactful and polite is one of the best ways to get things done quickly and efficiently. And that brings me to my first point.
#1. Simply be polite.
You’d be surprised, strike that, take it back, you might not be surprised to learn that not everybody is polite even when they are faced with politeness. A little courtesy goes a long way. Not everyone is out there to screw you over or
underhandedly steal from you. There are some generally nice people in the world and if you look for it, you can find it everywhere. But, it also starts with you.
A general thank you or please , a ork o ders he dealing with so many different parties in a real estate transaction. Being polite and yet assertive
I’m reminded of a situation I had when I was followed into a grocery store parking lot from someone that said I cut them off on the freeway. I was very apologetic and sincerely surprised that I hadn’t noticed. The gentleman at first started yelling and cussing at me, but his anger quickly subsided when he realized I was not arguing back.
I think that we are such argumentative society nowadays that to have someone come back with an apology and a true attitude of repentance, forgiveness and sincerity is almost unheard of and definitely unexpected.
Simply be polite with everyone you deal with. Yes, people can get on our nerves and we are so quick to defend ourselves that we forget to listen to what the other person is saying. Whether you are in a personal relationship or business
#2. Understand that agents work only on commission.
And, it’s expensive to be a real estate agent. Sure, it’s our choice if we want to be a real estate agent, but it’s important for our clients to know that this is truly our bread and butter. It’s taken a lot of money to get our real estate license, keep our continuing education up to date, purchase our own marketing materials and advertise a home whether or not it sells. Just knowing what real estate agents go through because they love the business can help you understand their point of view in their industry a little bit better. Real estate agents only make a
commission when the deal closes. Remember, real estate transactions could take 30 days to six months or more and that’s a lot of time, energy, and money that a real estate agent must put in before they get the payoff.
that didn’t put in the work. I’ve heard too many real estate agents that has had someone work with them for months looking for the right house only to have them fill out the contract and make an offer with a different agent. That agent could be a friend, the listing agent, or just someone that happened to be in the right place at the right time. Can you imagine how upset that first agent must feel? They put in time and their own money showing you multiple properties, negotiating, asking questions and communicating for months only to have their commission whisked away by someone that did nearly nothing.
#3. Keep your word and be on time.
I think general consumers get a sense of pride that the real estate agent is
working for them so they have the right to not show up to appointments, cancel at a o e t’s notice or break their word. Remember, real estate agents can fire you too. When your real estate agent makes an appointment for home inspection or to show property, the other people involved as well and when you just don’t show up, is disrespecting everybody you had an appointment with.
More: Can I Search Properties on my Own, even if I have an Agent?
#4. Don’t sign forms you don’t understand.
Too many buyers and sellers blindly agree to items and then scream and holler at the agent when they must follow through with something they signed but didn’t understand.
If you don’t understand it, don’t sign it or ask questions until you understand what it is you are agreeing to. Verbal agreements do not hold up in a court of law, only signed documents that are agreed upon by both buyer and seller as well as agents if necessary. If you don’t understand it don’t sign it until you do. You can’t come back to your agent screaming that you didn’t understand when you told them you did.
#5. Make sure the real estate agent knows your expectations.
If you simply tell the real estate agent, I don’t know what I want but I’ll know it when I see it the agent has no choice but to show you everything under the sun. You can’t get mad at them for not reading your mind and knowing exactly what you want.
Be specific, direct, and tell you what you don’t want. We must start somewhere and if you have expectations that you’re not communicating, it only leads to frustration and disappointment on both sides.
Read More: How to schedule a successful home inspection
frustrations and can come back to those expectations if parties get upset or frustrated.
#6. Don’t call the listing agent if you’re already working with a buyer’s agent.
This is a classic mistake that most people just don’t know about. They might have been working with a uyer’s agent for several weeks but then suddenly on a random weekend, the buyers tour an open house and get sucked in by the listing agent. Before they know it, they are signing documents without their uyer’s agent that’s put time, money and effort into the transaction. Most customers have no idea there are two real estate agents involved in most transactions. They simply want to buy the house. But, don’t sign a contract with the listing agent if you have been working with a uyer’s agent. This means that now the listing agent will receive full commission on the sale of the property and all that time and energy your uyer’s agent put in to working with you is out the window.
Read More: What if you hate every home your agent shows you?
Honestly, it’s impossible to know all of these things unless you’ve worked with real estate agents in the past or have been one. If I can get this information out that the more people are simply kind, courteous, on time, and finish with the agent they started with, it will alleviate a lot of problems and frustrations for both parties.
Great Buying Advice from Agents and Former Buyers
How one buyer bought a home for 30% less than asking price – PCBeach.com Is it ever okay to let multiple agents help you buy or sell? – DavidWatkins.com The most common questions new home buyers ask – Todd Blair
Can I use the Builder’s Le der o a e o stru tio de elop e t? – Jackie Barikhan
