7 EXPECTATIONS OF A GOOD AGENT

1. KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR LOCAL REAL ESTATE MARKET

What happens in Del Sur is not like other markets. The type of market your are in can drastically effect home prices, negotiations and so much more when buying or selling. Real Estate trends such as home sales, for sale vs pending, DOM and the local economy are also very important to understand and follow.

2. STAGING, PRICING AND MARKETING THE HOME FOR SALE

Real Estate 101, most homes sell because of this trifecta. Unfortunately, too many agent are not taught how to price a home and often don’t have the budget or team power to stage and market. No matter what the market, you have to master all three of these things to stand up to other competition.

Please understand, decorating and staging are NOT the same thing. Staging a home is an art and takes into account the target age, lifestyle and trends of an area.

Marketing is also a specific strategy. Gone are the days of a mailer, newspaper ad or magazine page… now SEO, email and social hold the most power behind marketing. 

3. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS

 Timely, prompt communication is perhaps one of the most desired things that a client seems to have to beg for when selling a home.  Don’t be fooled by attentive agents who give you high numbers when it comes to selling your home. Agents who are more handshakes and less hugs will tell you numbers you want to hear in the beginning, but you may find yourself left in the dark when they are off sweet talking the next listing.

 Unfortunately, effective communication seems to be the exception and not the norm. There have been many times we get back to a client and they say, “thank you for getting back to me so quickly!” Clients, like all customers, want to be communicated with on a timely, prompt basis the same day. Sometimes in real estate, things lag for different reasons and agents don’t property communicate these things to the client. With many different moving parts within a transaction, your agent is the steward of your home purchase or sale, and this should not be taken lightly. Be wary of the “pass-off”, and although agents work with teams of people who are the best at what they do, an agent should always keep a finger on the pulse of the transaction.

4. PERSEVERANCE

If your agent doesn’t have a “never give up” attitude, don’t even bother. Things don’t run smoothly with real estate. This should be a given. Matt is the best example of perseverance on our team. When homes unexpectedly leak or homes don’t appraise to the offer price, Matt is pulling every stop to make sure everyone gets what they want from a deal. If you’re not advocating for your client 100% of the time, you’re not doing the job.

There are industry guidelines that must be adhered to in order to complete a Real Estate transaction.  There are times, when other parties to the transaction just don’t seem to get it, and as a Realtor®, we must follow up again and again to make sure all is completed with accuracy.  It takes a certain character who stands with integrity understanding the importance of getting it done right.

5. EXPERT IN NEGOTIATIONS

Just about anything can come up between sellers and buyers that will require negotiations.  From the moment a home is listed, negotiations begin. Getting an offer accepted is only half way, up until the close of escrow, an agent should be on top of this process.

6. UNDERSTANDING

You matter. Clients matter. This process is not about the agent, it’s not adding another purchase or sale to the list, it’s about helping a client get into a home that suits their life. It’s about creating an opportunity for a more enjoyable future. and THAT’S the business we are in as agents.  Matt and Michelle don’t start with asking about the house, the house isn’t the client, it’s the people that matter.

7. TRUSTWORTHY

Stand and deliver. What it all comes down to is how much you can trust someone with one of the largest transactions of your life. Liking the agent and what they say may just be a bonus, but if they are honest, do what they say and deliver what is agreed upon, that is what you can count on.

 Online reviews are a great way in which to demonstrate trustworthiness too. There is nothing greater than a testimonial. Check out what people are saying here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/kolkerrealestategroup/reviews

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