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Health & Fitness

Looking for a Great Real Estate Agent? Read On

Finding a great real estate agent starts with knowing that to expect from them.

As more consumers turn to the Internet when looking for a great real estate agent, the bottom line is that you need to have a personal connection with your Realtor. So what should you expect in terms of top-notch customer service from your agent? Beyond the basic standards of our job (i.e., ethical behavior, fiduciary responsibility, accountability, loyalty and obedience), it takes quite a lot more to achieve a 5-star rating in the customers' eyes. Here are just a few behaviors my colleagues and I should all aspire to:

  • CLEAR AND CONSISTENT COMMUNICATIONS: According to client surveys, the #1 complaint most often lodged against a real estate agent is “Lack of Communication.” I strongly believe in keeping in touch with my clients (past and present) on a regular basis. I strive to give them feedback at every stage of the process. A text message letting them know how many people came to their Open House. A brief call to discuss next steps. An email message reporting any progress (or not). It doesn’t take a lot of effort to provide those personal “touches” that mean so much to our clients.
  • NEGOTIATING TO A “YES” POSITION: Quite often the hardest part of the process for our clients is when it comes to negotiating a price. There’s no secret algorithm to determine the perfect price. In fact, there’s no such thing as the perfect price. What’s most important is providing a fair and respectable forum in which all parties leave the bargaining table feeling as though they’ve gotten what they wanted. Not always everything they wanted but enough to feel content in order to move on to the next step. The best Realtors provide sage advice; counsel patience; and, provide a calm demeanor when those around him are stressed.
  • ACTIVE LISTENING: If not staying in touch is the #1 consumer complaint, then not listening to your clients’ requests has to rank right up there, too. A great Realtor never wants to hear “You don’t understand what I want” from any client. Quiet often a great Realtor knows what the client wants before the client does. Comprehending not only what they’re seeking but also their need to just be heard is that tipping point between the commonplace agent and the top notch Realtor.
  • RAPID RESPONSE RATE: Believe it or not, one of the biggest pet peeves among agents themselves is not hearing back from another agent. If we feel that way one can just imagine how a client would feel. It only takes a minute to respond to an email or phone call. And responding within hours rather than days goes a long way to elevate your status in the eyes of your clients. When it comes time to choose a real estate agent to assist you in selling or buying a home, do yourself a favor and hire a Realtor who won’t be happy until you are. An agent who knows what it takes to be great in your eyes.
  • LEARNING HOW BEST TO WORK WITH YOUR CLIENTS: We live in a plugged-in society but not everyone is comfortable with tweets, texts, selfies and posts. That said it's critical to learn how your clients prefer to receive communications from you. Some clients would prefer a phone call every couple of days just to check in. While you may not have much to report, they often have a question or two for you. Needless to say there are also those folks who live with a smartphone in hand and enjoy texting to stay in touch. Figure out early on in the process how and when your client would like to hear from you.

Contact me today for more information on what to expect from a great real estate agent. And, if you need any assistance selling your home or looking to buy a new home, definitely feel free to get in touch. You can always reach me at (617) 899-3162 or via email at mpallares55@gmail.com.

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