I read a posting today by another agent stating: "Meet the new agent, Same as the old agent." And while many times this can be the case, it is not quite the truth. The article goes on to say that the agent cannot control what the sales price is going to be and the seller needs to listen to their agent, and so forth - we have all heard it. However here are my issues with this post:
There are so many Realtors, many being cookie cutters of the other that it many cases this article points out the truth. HOWEVER, what the article fails to point out that if the old agent is a cookie cutter and treats every property the same, same area comps, same staging, same advertizing, that there will be an impact in the listing should the new agent have an edge. That edge can come from many avenues, whether it be education, experience, desire, networks in place, and on and on.
What I am trying to say is not every broker is the same, and not every Realtor is the same. The market is flooded with cookie cutter agents that know basic knowledge to pass the test, however do not know the legal words of the contract and how they truly impact their client. Maybe they do not stay up to date within their city to determine that values are going up or down ever so slightly, or that the battery plant in the area is under litigation for contaminating surrounding subdivisions. It could be that one agent just does not have the resources or funds to educate themselves beyond the "basics" or to make the time to create a marketing plan that is diversified enough to reach the many. Maybe they stick to their "old school" ways that have always worked and are unwilling to adapt to the new technology.
In any case, my point is that as a seller or buyer, its not just enough to be friends first, or pick an agent based on who your neighbor used because your needs maybe different. Or who answers the phone when you call from a sign. Research your agents background; can you find any personal information on them? What is their past experiences with issues? Do they have a web presence? Are they easy to locate should you need them? Are they so far away that if someone calls last minute for a showing they would be unwilling to make that concession?
Food for thought.
There are so many Realtors, many being cookie cutters of the other that it many cases this article points out the truth. HOWEVER, what the article fails to point out that if the old agent is a cookie cutter and treats every property the same, same area comps, same staging, same advertizing, that there will be an impact in the listing should the new agent have an edge. That edge can come from many avenues, whether it be education, experience, desire, networks in place, and on and on.
What I am trying to say is not every broker is the same, and not every Realtor is the same. The market is flooded with cookie cutter agents that know basic knowledge to pass the test, however do not know the legal words of the contract and how they truly impact their client. Maybe they do not stay up to date within their city to determine that values are going up or down ever so slightly, or that the battery plant in the area is under litigation for contaminating surrounding subdivisions. It could be that one agent just does not have the resources or funds to educate themselves beyond the "basics" or to make the time to create a marketing plan that is diversified enough to reach the many. Maybe they stick to their "old school" ways that have always worked and are unwilling to adapt to the new technology.
In any case, my point is that as a seller or buyer, its not just enough to be friends first, or pick an agent based on who your neighbor used because your needs maybe different. Or who answers the phone when you call from a sign. Research your agents background; can you find any personal information on them? What is their past experiences with issues? Do they have a web presence? Are they easy to locate should you need them? Are they so far away that if someone calls last minute for a showing they would be unwilling to make that concession?
Food for thought.
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