Wouldn't it be nice for you to know the difference and choose a listing agent who is focused on your property even when they are not in front of you? After all, you are exhausted from the process, choosing an agent, getting ready to go on the market and just the physical demands of keeping it up so it can be shown every day. A focused agent on your team will allow you to focus on your life, while they focus on the proper way to market and sell your home. They can be trusted to utilize the tried and true ways they know and the new marketing ideas and marketing techniques as the market and buyers change. They are a CLIENT BASED REALTOR. A client based Realtor would go on the broker's caravan, as that is how Realtors are brought through your property. It may take more time for the Realtor, but the client based Realtor knows that it brings results.
Does the listing agent feel like a good partner on your selling team? Do they compliment you in terms of philosophy and goals and represent your home as you would want it to be presented to the public (flyers, internet and public media)? Does the viewer, when they see your home, believe the Realtor LIKES and represents it well, accurately and professionally? That may not mean that you rewrite the flyer or ad copy unless that is your business. Do they have a friendly demeanor and speak well so that their speech and professional image represent your property consistent with that image? It is often good to visit a Realtor's open houses to see how they meet, greet and interact with potential buyers. It tells you how successful they will be in interacting with potential buyers for your home. You want them to be approachable to others.
Can you work with them? I often tell sellers that they we don't have to be best friends but they do have to believe I am trustworthy, competent and will be aggressive on their behalf in selling this property. It is a given that there will be challenges in a real estate transaction! YES, read that again. It is a given that there will be challenges in a real estate transaction. Some Realtors are good at being proactive and many of those challenges aren't even on your radar. That's a good thing. The challenges that must be dealt with then require good negotiation and people skills. Is your Realtor a respected and quality person, trusted by their peers so that when those instances come up, they can negotiate for you in a win-win fashion? The biggest billboard does not equate to respect. When negotiating, the COMMISSION BASED REALTOR can do more harm than good as they often have a reputation among their peers for being aggressive regardless of the damage or effect of the "win". The CLIENT BASED REALTOR would be a win-win negotiator who will have all parties satisfied that they have been heard in the end. Isn't that a better feeling you want the buyer to have when turning over the keys? It is a plus if the buyer is feeling ok about how it went even if it all didn't go their way? REMEMBER there will be challenges and some of those come up after you turn over the keys. Then the new challenge will be dealt with based on the feelings they had for the way things were handled during the transaction. If you worked it out in the transaction, chances are you can work it out later too. Of course that win-win Realtor will be with you AFTER the sale to handle any challenges. This is the CLIENT BASED REALTOR. The dog eat dog Realtor will tell you, you are on your own once they are paid; COMMISSION BASED REALTOR. http://activerain.com/blogsview/356191/Definitions-Commission-Based-Realtor
TERRYLYNN FISHER, Diablo Realty, Realtor, Staging Specialist - CSP/Realtor (Certified Staging Professional), CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist). Terrylynn is in her 30th+ year in real estate, works in ALL kinds of markets and has a referral directory of Realtors who use similar marketing in your hometown too. She can be reached at 925 876-0966 for referrals or questions.
You're preaching to the choir, Terrylynn!! I was JUST complimenting a listing agent who actually returned my phone call, telling her how much I really appreciate that! Amazing, huh--wouldn't you think that if you had a home to sell, you'd return a call?!!
Nice post, but you should see my list of standards before I take on a seller. I have questions and requirements as well!
I think you are right about there being a distinguishing difference between the focus of the agent. I think it may come across a little clearer if it was presented something like this "Is your Realtor watching his bottom line or yours" ... I kind of think this is what you are trying to communicate. That there exists Realtors whos' main concern is their commission check, and not so much their clients.
Your Blog is great!! Just remember that there are 4 prominent personality types. The article cuts off in half. If you write a second Blog - same content, but with bullet points you'll get another 25% and if you make it more fun...you'll get the whole pie. Go Get 'em!!
Hi Terrylynn,
I get the title. I have been in sales or worked with sales people for almost 30 years and there is a huge difference between the two. It's not just in real estate. This is great.
Congratulations on the feature. I'm off to read your links...
Great article Terri. May I use this information to help educate my customers?
Josui, Frank, Joan - thank you for reading and commenting.
Debe - ah hah...manners and professionalism, sometimes eludes us.
Kym thanks.
Sharon, my point on this blog was primary driver...primarily driven by commission you approach the challenges and the client in a different way than if you are client based first. The title is meant to get you to read and determine the meaning. I guess I can see how you got that too.
Mary, REALLY? You don't know people in your marketplace to whom the client is just a number (commission based thinking vs. client based thinking)?
Gene - please do share, this in no way is meant to be comprehensive. I totally agree and I would love to read your blog on this topic. I didn't realize it would be unclear to some.
Dick - thanks
Steve, I completely agree. Sometimes the good guys don't toot their own horns so much. The commission based Realtors tend to be the ones that TAKE all the kudos and don't spread the love so to speak (to their TEAM or others that help them get there). But that's a generalization and not true for all.
Anon - care to elaborate? What's the other half?
Doreen THANKS, I was a bit worried that I was alone out here in my observation and thinking others may be in denial or just didn't notice. I have been in real estate going on 31 years, maybe we've just had more time to observe the behavior of others.
Carol, exactly my point. Thanks for acknowledging it. And good luck on that listing. I just got a listing today similar circumstances, been on the market for 9 months and they are ready for a change. Good luck to both of us.
Ann, yes of course, I an pleased to share.
Brande - Yes, we are working for the income, the point I was trying to make was not that I would work for free, oh contrare...I do not negotiate my fee as I am worth it, but what I bring to the table and what my primary focus is happens to be client first and their needs. IF I am client focused first, all of my actions on their behalf will be in line with their goals, not mine AND the money will follow. Totally different than a commission focused (focused might be a better word, or commission priority) Realtor who is thinking of the commission with every piece of advice and every action taken. See the difference?
Much like the bickering during a political campaign the public walks away from it all with a negative. So is it the same when we choose to aire our differences in public. My vote would be that this post should be members only.
There are many other ways that one can point out the positives of their own abilities. Just a thought.
Great post Terrylynn! I like to consider myself as the client based Realtor. YES, I am making a living but I NEVER want it to be at the expense of someone's trust or confidence in me. I don't want them to just be a "one time transaction", I want them to come back to me and REFER there sphere of influence to me.
Oh, I love your name also...(mine is Kathy Lynn Fisher). Have a GREAT and BLESSED day.
Herb, thanks for your input. I believe the consumer should know the nuances of what we know, they already have no clue what we really do on a daily basis to earn our commission $$$.
Gary so true.
Kathy, thanks, love your name too,,, Kathy Lynn. My point is exactly that. We treat others as we would like to be treated and the money will follow. When we purchase or sell real estate, especially out of our area of expertise and use a Realtor can't you tell the difference between the two? Who do you want representing you? But this is another blog, many Realtors don't use a Realtor when they buy or sell, which to me is a problem of believing what we tell people.
Great post. It is so true. You definitely need to trust and know your agent will be working hard for you.
Terrylynn - I'll tell you what I liked best about this post...you empower home owners to move foward in selecting a Realtor(r) to sell their home by giving them real life qualifying tools they can use in their selection process. Bravo!
Congratulations on the FEATURE. It was definitely well deserved.
Jackie
Great blog Terrylynn,
You truly understand people and I like to say Thanks for sharing.
John Hurbon
Benson,Az