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How to become a better buyer’s agent, learn the local real estate market, attend real estate training seminars and classes, act professionally in front of clients
I work "both sides of the fence" but with the current market, I've been more of a list agent. I have come across so many agents who either don't know or just don't care about what they're doing.
Some things I'd like to see more buyer agents do:
** Learn the market! When a buyer is purchasing a 9 year old FORECLOSED house, set realistic expectations. It's not a new house, so don't go into it with "new house expectations". Don't de-value an already de-valued property by letting your clients think that granite counters and stainless steel are requirements. Additionally, those items are aesthetic and have absolutely nothing to do with the condition of the property. Why would a good agent suggest that a client not buy a house that meets their criteria over something as simple as tile that needs regrouting? That's probably why so many agents end up showing 40 or 50 houses before they write one contract.
** Learn the process! I have prepared a three page explanation of the foreclosure process and I send it to every agent who writes offers on my listings. I get really agitated when I've clearly spelled out how I run my business, what to expect and when, and how to reach me and all the work I've done is totally ignored.
** Your client will follow your lead: control your emotions. Do you think you appear more professional when you freak out every time your client does, or when you provide reassurance and realistic solutions?
** Respect yourself AND the business. The reason so many people think poorly of us is because of the agents who don't take their business seriously and do things that make us all look bad. .
** Make sure your client can actually afford the house on which they are making an offer! Nothing burns me up more than a buyer agent asking ME for money because of something that came up that their client can't afford.
** Take advantage of the education that's available to you! Contrary to what some agents seem to believe, you did NOT learn everything you need to know when you went to real estate school.
** Respect yourself AND the business. The reason so many people think poorly of us is because of the agents who don't take their business seriously and do things that make us all look bad. .
rofl. sorry to laugh but really...do you think I'm in control of their expectations? Blame the media, their family, their friends, oh and the person they met at the store today that got 'a hellova deal'.
I work "both sides of the fence" but with the current market, I've been more of a list agent. I have come across so many agents who either don't know or just don't care about what they're doing.
Some things I'd like to see more buyer agents do:
** Learn the market! When a buyer is purchasing a 9 year old FORECLOSED house, set realistic expectations. It's not a new house, so don't go into it with "new house expectations". Don't de-value an already de-valued property by letting your clients think that granite counters and stainless steel are requirements. Additionally, those items are aesthetic and have absolutely nothing to do with the condition of the property. Why would a good agent suggest that a client not buy a house that meets their criteria over something as simple as tile that needs regrouting?
That's probably why so many agents end up showing 40 or 50 houses before they write one contract.
** Learn the process! I have prepared a three page explanation of the foreclosure process and I send it to every agent who writes offers on my listings. I get really agitated when I've clearly spelled out how I run my business, what to expect and when, and how to reach me and all the work I've done is totally ignored.
** Your client will follow your lead: control your emotions. Do you think you appear more professional when you freak out every time your client does, or when you provide reassurance and realistic solutions?
** Respect yourself AND the business. The reason so many people think poorly of us is because of the agents who don't take their business seriously and do things that make us all look bad. .
** Make sure your client can actually afford the house on which they are making an offer! Nothing burns me up more than a buyer agent asking ME for money because of something that came up that their client can't afford.
** Take advantage of the education that's available to you! Contrary to what some agents seem to believe, you did NOT learn everything you need to know when you went to real estate school.
I want to add EDUCATE THE CONSUMER to this list. Buyers sometimes have a very strange view of what real estate is all about with all the addendums, market analysis, etc. Sometimes they feel overwhelmed. I think it is important to educate them on the basic stuff. Sometimes they have stars in their eyes with such unrealistic expectations that it is difficult to bring them into the real world. I try to walk them through the basics (eventhough they may have bought before, it is good to review). Educating buyers is very important.
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Educate
