So What The Heck Do Agents Do? May 23, 2008
Posted by ScottAlexander in : Real Estate , trackback
I am a retired teacher/basketball coach, and my wife always knew what I was doing when I was in the school business. Third period was Government, Fourth period, English, etc. When I scoot off to work now, I don’t think that she knows what I do. So it occurred to me that if the wife of an agent thinks that he is playing solitaire on the computer while he is waiting for the phone to ring….then what does the general public think?
So here’s what a real estate agent does. First of all, he knows the market. Remember that his job is to match buyers with sellers. So if he is working for a seller, he tries through a variety of methods to shout, (well, not literally) this house is for sale. He will of course know the needs of his buyers and those of other agents. This is why I spend a great deal of my day on the phone or on the computer…. Not playing solitaire… How does he “shout”? In the newspaper, on the internet, through direct mail, on the phone and via email, as well as knocking on doors are all things that work.
Of course, the agent “shows” homes to potential buyers and helps to price homes for potential sellers. This means that he has to know what buyers are looking for and what is important to sellers. The most important skill in this area is listening. Everyone’s needs are different: some seller’s want top dollar; others have to move rapidly. Often that is a factor in price. Buyer’s tastes and needs vary. What is important to them must become important to me: whether it’s schools, location, a big master bath, or a chef’s kitchen. I have to find out what they like and then find it.
The last thing that I do is something that the school business prepared me for…paperwork! Writing contracts, helping figure out financing details, and coordinating inspections requires a variety of skills. Writing the contract so that the deal gets done in a way that is favorable to my client is obviously important. The most important element is trying to operate in a way to that is fair to everyone but helps the interests of those who employ me.
So that’s what lots of us do every day….in between games of solitaire.
Scott Alexander, REALTOR
(325) 450-5099
scott.alexander1@coldwellbanker.com
Real Estate
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