Friday, 25th of July 2008 at 03:45:10 PMRecently I posted a question to my network on LinkedInto get a feel of what others do or expect from a remarkable real estate agent. I did this after reading Seth Godwin’s book the Purple Cow. Even from the on-set of my business, I wanted to do what others were not doing, wanted to provide a level of service that is above my colleagues. Once I read Seth’s book, I realized that I wanted to be remarkable. Let me tell you about the results of this question.
There was a variety of answers on the topic, some relating to the relationship you have with both parties of the transaction:
total unbasied honesty to buyer and seller
Others spoke of professional skills:
1. Professionalism
2. Experience
3. Knowledge of local market
4. Track record of success
All of the answers were good, in fact I would use them to say that they are the requirements of being an agent or even a good agent. However, nothing jumped out at me as a remarkable agent. Then just as the question was just getting ready to close, an answer came in from Teri Hayley. This answer gave me pause, it wasn’t a quick canned answer, it had thought and experience behind it. I read it a couple of times because it seemed to speak to me in a couple of different ways each time.
Teri’s answer really spoke mostly of the relationship with your client, going beyond just helping them find something in inventory to really understanding them and their needs. I’ve experienced this as well. Client calls up, wants X, Y, and Z. I show them X, Y, and Z. After awhile I ask them why they want X, Y, and Z and come to learn that they should be looking at W, X, and Y instead. All of a sudden I have a client that is less stressed and more excited about the homes that I’m showing them.
Clients come to a Realtor not because we can give them access to the MLS and magically send them eMails of homes that they are looking for, they can do that on their own through the Internet. They come to a Realtor to help them solve a problem. That problem can be anything from we really don’t know what we want to we know what we want, we just don’t know how to get it. As one broker likes to say, until you have figured out what problem you need to help them solve, you don’t have a client.
Now Teri is also direct with her answer in saying that you really need to care for your client. That is true, you have to have their best interests in mind at all times. It’s hard to negoiate for a client that you just don’t like or you can tell doesn’t think much of you. That is just a weak foundation in the relationship that wasn’t developed correctly. It takes time to understand and be a part of your clients lives, to call them friends.
Thanks to everyone that responded to my question, it was good to hear the answers, and be reminded of the little things that can make the difference. I also liked to hear about the big things, the ones the clients will remember long after the transaction is done.
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