Guide To Seattle Real Estate

I love sales!  No not the Sleazy Used Car type. Sales, helping clients find what they are looking for. That is what a real estate salesman does. What are your needs and how can my experience and training help you? I read and attend tons of Sales Training, some good some not.

I just came across this great post from Gavin Ingham.  He is a Sales Trainer whose blog I just found about a week ago. While his article is about Selling in a Recession, he gives a great example of what many real estate agents are doing in this slower market.

One of my friends went down to our local real estate agent this week to put his house on the market. He was told that maybe he should wait as he might not get the price he wants right now. They told him the market was quiet and that might not be able to sell the house at all. Better to wait for the market to pick up. I walked past their offices later on that day. They were all sitting, chatting and drinking coffee. They were probably moaning about what a bad year it’s going to be. If I’s have been in that office, I’d have taken my mates house on and I’d have been on the phone drumming up some viewings. 50 calls, 100, calls, 500 calls… Whatever it takes. I’d have found someone.

That is the truth if I ever heard it.  What is your real estate agent willing to do for you?  While yes we all like to build our business on referrals, do we sell homes through referrals? NO! Homes are sold through effective marketing and great follow-up on leads and responses to that marketing. Calling back everyone who calls on the sign or the 20+ web markets the home is advertised on.  With a little effort we can collect the leads that are interested in a home.

Yes we can network with other agents, but that is just part of the game. We have to make the calls, follow-up, beat the pavement, find the buyers.  It’s our Job!  If someone wants to Sell their home, Sell it.  Now I am not saying that as agents we can sell any listing. The home must be priced right and in the right condition.  If a home meets these conditions it will sell in ANY market, with great follow-up and diligence of the agent.

Even an under-priced steal of a deal won’t sell if the agent spends all their time talking with other agents in the break room at the office.  I have never sold a home to another agent and doubt I ever will.  That’s why I try to spend my time away from the office. Whether I am holding Mid-Week Opens or Previewing or in my home office Smiling and Dialing, I am working for my clients.

What are you willing to do for your clients?  If your not an agent, What do you expect your agent to do for you?