"The SECRET" ......to working efficiently with Buyers. Part 5, What are the Buyer's expectations of an agent?

"The SECRET" ......to working efficiently with Buyers Part 5, What are the Buyer's expectations of an agent?
By Greg Perry, Kirkland Realtor, Kirkland Wa

Here's where the rubber meets the road.  Buyer's have a good experience when they're expectations are met.  They can become raving fans when their expectations are exceeded.  Healthy business relationships happen when both parties understand each other's expectations.

At this point of the initial consultation, I ask the Buyer(s), "What are your expectations of your agent?".  What I've discovered over the years, is that most Buyers don't know what they should expect from an agent.  In fact, most Buyers at this point focus on just one thing, and that is finding their home.   

I actually help them by teaching them what they should expect in an agent.  Here is my list:

• Communication  I think the Buyer should expect good and consistent communication and teaching from their real estate agent.
• Honesty and integrity?  I share with by clients that trust in a service industry relationship is a balance between character and competence.  When we find someone who we feel has high character, and they know what they're doing, we want to do business with a person like that. 
• Help you find your home? This is a very important function in what we do with a Buyer, but I stress to the Buyer, it's not all we do.   As Buyers now have excellent access to listings and information, it's not uncommon that they will spot the house on the Internet before we do. 
• Negotiate?   One of my single biggest strengths is my ability to negotiate on behalf of my clients.  This is one of the most important reasons of all to hire and use a good agent.
• Take care of the details? The Buyer will have earnest money committed to the purchase.  Purchase and sale contracts are extremely complicated.  Good agents must be able to take care of every detail of the contract, as well as managing the process.
• Keep your best interests at heart?  A good agent will keep the interests of the client ahead of their personal interests.
• What has been your past experience with an Agent? This is a great question to find out if the Buyer has had a bad experience or a good experience in the past with a real estate agent. 

Next up:  My expectations of my client.

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Comments

[Jonathan Greene]

Clever title. Have you gotten any hits from people searching for "the Secret?"

[Greg Perry]

Thank you Jonathan. Yes we've had a few hits from the title, Especially "The Secret, part 2"