How to Work with a Real Estate Broker fo
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
documents to be court needed.
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
without getting walked over does take practice. One of the first things you can do
is to simply say please and thank you or I really appreciate it , which can work
wonders.
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
relationship, kindness speaks volumes.
#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.
I bring this point up because there are too many buyers out there that work with
a real estate agent for months only to close on a transaction with another agent
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.
Keep that in mind; when you start working with a real estate agent continue
working with them until you buy the house. I understand that there could be
situations where you feel like you need to fire your real estate agent, and that’s
okay too. But, communication up to that point is essential. You don’t want to
waste everybody’s time and then drop them like a hot potato so some other
agent can get the commission for all the work that your first agent did. It’s just
not fair. They are out the money, time and investment with nothing to show for it.
#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?
AND: 10 Things to Know When Buying New Construction Condos
#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.
More: The One Thing all Buyers Need to do Before Buying a House
#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
This also goes for general expectations in showing houses as well. Do you prefer
text messages, phone calls or emails? Do you prefer to drive to the house yourself
or get a ride with your agent? A good real estate agent should ask these questions
but it’s important to communicate what you expect your agent to do and what
they expect you to do whether you are buying or selling. This alleviates a lot of
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?
And – What comes with the house when you buy?
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
Barikhan
o stru tio de elop e t? – Jackie
What to know before buying coastal property -30Aexclusivebeachrealestate.com
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
documents to be court needed.
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
without getting walked over does take practice. One of the first things you can do
is to simply say please and thank you or I really appreciate it , which can work
wonders.
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
relationship, kindness speaks volumes.
#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.
I bring this point up because there are too many buyers out there that work with
a real estate agent for months only to close on a transaction with another agent
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.
Keep that in mind; when you start working with a real estate agent continue
working with them until you buy the house. I understand that there could be
situations where you feel like you need to fire your real estate agent, and that’s
okay too. But, communication up to that point is essential. You don’t want to
waste everybody’s time and then drop them like a hot potato so some other
agent can get the commission for all the work that your first agent did. It’s just
not fair. They are out the money, time and investment with nothing to show for it.
#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?
AND: 10 Things to Know When Buying New Construction Condos
#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.
More: The One Thing all Buyers Need to do Before Buying a House
#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
This also goes for general expectations in showing houses as well. Do you prefer
text messages, phone calls or emails? Do you prefer to drive to the house yourself
or get a ride with your agent? A good real estate agent should ask these questions
but it’s important to communicate what you expect your agent to do and what
they expect you to do whether you are buying or selling. This alleviates a lot of
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?
And – What comes with the house when you buy?
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
Barikhan
o stru tio de elop e t? – Jackie
What to know before buying coastal property -30Aexclusivebeachrealestate.com