One of the things I run into way too often is real estate agents and loans officers that are not only new to the industry, but have no sales or social skills.
There are 10 of the basics:
- When a potential client tells you they are working with an agent. Leave them alone!
- A customer walks in or calls your office and asks for a specific agent; do not try to pick them up. Call their agent and let them know their client came by or called for them. I have not only seen this abused by inexperienced agents, I have heard many stories of this from other agents in other companies.
- Getting a sale is not as important as getting a client. I am sure many will not get this one.
- If we are in escrow, you are not my competitor. We already have our clients; we will need to work together.
- Someone else's open house is not an opportunity to pick up clients.
- Referrals are what will keep you in the business for many years. Poor service does not gain you referrals.
- Education is something all professionals get.
- If you have to push clients into decisions than you are not providing the right options to them.
- Real estate is not a part time hobby. Either do this as a professional or find another hobby. You are dealing with huge amounts of money it is not amateur night.
- Business does not fall from the sky or grow on trees. You have to earn it.
For those professionals who take their career in real estate serious, have a wonderful 2008. For the others, good luck in your next career choice.
Good advice Randy. These simple rules make our business a lot easier.
Agents who work together get to the bank quicker.
Lenn - Thank you, too true.
Suzanne - There a couple of agents who have been around that could use this advice also.
Cassie - I hope you are doing one and not both.
Charles - I hope for the client's sake.
Bryant - Absolutely, in the end of the day it is our reputation that determines whether we will be long term successful.
Jennifer - Number 2 is one that seems to be not taught too often to new agents.
Excellent list. Simple, to the point, and incredibly relevant. That list is what separates the professionals from the amateurs.
Hey Randy! Happy New Year! Thanks for the card. My daughter was most impressed. She wants to know if we can go visit my friend in Hawaii:)
Your 10 Tips for the Inexperienced will, without a doubt, hit a chord with some experienced agents also.
The issues you address are the problem we have with opportunists in our business, they are more concerned with making a commission than providing a service in a professional manner.
As the market adjusts, many of these "agents' will be gone. YOU GO AGENT!!!
Sales are good in Wisconsin (In my world anyway) and life can not get much better, Packers in the NFC Championship, one Giuliani away from the Superbowl!
Go Pack!!
Dan - Hopefully you and your family will make it out here on a vacation.
Hopefully the opportunist will find an opportunity elsewhere.
I am cheering for the Packers. I love The Bears, but since they are out I really want to see Brett get one more.
Good post--should be on the wall next to every office's agent mailboxes. Not just for new agents either!
Randy,
This is the second post I have read from you today....and I think both are great.
I can tell by your post ETHICS and HARD WORK mean everything to you.....you are my kind of person.....continued success!