What Does Having A Realtor® Represent You Really Mean?
Posted By Winston Bowdre
When I started the home buying process for the very first time, I found one home that I wanted to see. I called the number that was listed on the website and the person on the other line said that she would meet me at the property. She was a REALTOR® and at the time I had no idea what a REALTOR® did. I just knew that they were able to get people into properties to see them. Once I met the REALTOR® at the house she proceeded to let me know what a REALTOR® does and really emphasized what a REALTOR® does to “represent” her customers. It kind of went through one ear and out the other for me as I just wanted to see the property. I never fully understood what the benefit of being “represented”meant.
Exactly a year after that I decided to get my real estate license and pursue a career in real estate. I soon realized that buying and selling real estate was literally like walking through a mine field as a REALTOR®. There are 1,000 things that could go wrong in a real estate transaction. Good REALTOR® anticipate those problems ahead of time and take care of those problems so that they never impact their client. This is a part of “representing” people. It’s a unique job that requires strong work ethics and a true heart to our clients.
When a REALTOR® represents you, it means that they put your interest above their own. They use their skills and knowledge to help you in every possible way. One of the many ways a REALTOR® helps consumers is by simplifying the process. If a REALTOR® told you everything that was behind the scenes of a real estate transaction you would get exhausted listening to them. You would be bored half way through as well. We do a ton of researching, coordinating, communicating, and planning behind the scenes. I spend far more time working behind the scenes for my clients than I do when I meet them. I don’t talk to my clients about everything that I do because it’s not about me, it’s about them 100%. I want to listen to what they have to say and I interject only when I have information that would be of use .
A good REALTOR® will make the home buying and selling process feel easy. They will shield you from the internal drama involved with negotiations, inspections, mortgage issues, title issues, and so on. For this reason, some people don’t know how well they are being “represented” because it’s all being taken care of for them. That’s why I wanted to write this article. I want to put the spotlight on “representation” by covering some major benefits that are important to understand. It’s a topic that is at the very heart of the client/REALTOR® relationship.
I understand not all REALTORS® do a good job of “representing” their clients. I got into this business after having a few bad REALTOR® experiences myself. The truth is that there are some wonderful REALTORS® out there. When I had my bad REALTOR® experience, it was because I didn’t do my homework and I just settled for the first REALTOR® that I met. It is a common rookie home buyer mistake. In this article, I am going to focus on the traits and characteristics of a GOOD REALTOR®. There are plenty of good REALTOR® in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex. You can use this article as a guide to help you determine how good your REALTOR® is, if you’re not sure. Are you experiencing these 4 benefits mentioned below?
Being “represented” by a REALTOR® means that you have an advocate who is putting themselves in your shoes. They will listen to you intently. They want as much information about your situation as possible so that they can best help you. Good REALTORS® listen and learn. They will do everything they can to earn your respect and win you over so that you will use them again in the future. Understanding your clients needs and wants is essential for success in this business.
We work hard to understand you and your needs. Each of my home buying and selling clients are different. Some may want to list their home for sale and need advice on staging and adding upgrades to get the best value. Others may be relocating due to military or career change and need to find a house in a very short period of time. Everyones situation is different. They all require special attention to make sure that their needs are met and their expectations are exceeded. If your REALTOR® truly understands you and your situation, you are in good hands!
Being “represented” by a REALTOR® means that your interests are being protected. If you tell your REALTOR® that you want a house within a certain price range, they’ll make sure you’re grounded if you start to venture off looking at higher priced homes. They will also remind you of your main home search criteria points if you start to get distracted by less practical homes. They will protect your information and only communicate details to other 3rd parties as you direct them. They will step in anytime there is a problem and resolve it as you advise, protecting you from conflict.
I was recently working with a home buyer client and we were at a builders office. This builder was being not only rude but pushy and trying to extract too much information from my clients. I stepped in and asked the builder to submit her questions to me in writing and we would go through and answer them as needed later on. Later, my buyer thanked me for doing that. They said they felt cornered and didn’t know how to respond. Good REALTORS® dedicate their time to learn about their clients. They are serious about protecting them when any threats or complications arise. This allows our clients to feel empowered and confident in the marketplace.
A good REALTOR® is an experienced professional with many years of insider knowledge. If you have already bought and sold a home before, then you probably learned a lot about the real estate process. Imagine doing that over 50 times every year. Can you imagine the amount of knowledge you would acquire with each transaction? This is the benefit of having an experienced REALTOR®. They have insider knowledge from helping hundreds of home buyers and sellers. Ask as many questions as possible and utilize this resource as much as you can. It’s one of the greatest benefits to hiring a good REALTOR®.
Many think of “insider knowledge” as knowing which neighborhoods have the lowest crime rates, or which schools are best. This is a common misconception. REALTORS® are not supposed to comment on their opinions of neighborhoods or schools. It’s considered “steering” by the Federal Fair Housing Act. We can direct you to resources to find all the information that you would need to best answer these questions. Our knowledge of the transaction processes, contract preparation, and local real estate statistics are our most valuable assest to you. Understanding how to put a fair offer together to get the best deal is invaluable. Knowing how to negotiate specific details into a transaction are essential. Helping our clients understand current market statistics and what it means for their situation is much appreciated by consumers.
Having someone “represent” you means that you can sit back and direct them as you choose during negotiations. It’s much easier to make important decisions when you don’t have to deal with the stress and emotion of delivering the information. This is your negotiating leverage when you have a REALTOR® representing you. Your REALTOR® will be delivering yall the details as you direct them to, using their experience to gain you the best outcome. They are your personal spokesperson for your negotiations and transaction details.
REALTORS® will also prepare you for the many different scenarios that you might expect from the other party, based on your requests. As a home buyer, it’s easy to get greedy and want the best possible price, along with other items in the property that belong to the sellers. As a seller, it’s easy to give in and accept the first offer that comes out of pure exhaustion from the home selling process. A good REALTOR® will keep you grounded and help you understand your true negotiating position. They will help you to predict how the other party will respond to your requests. They will also package and deliver your requests in such a way that will yield the highest likelihood of being accepted. It’s a delicate balance that takes years to perfect. Having the leverage of a good REALTOR® to mediate your transaction can save you thousands of dollars and some unnecessary lost sleep.
REALTOR® “representation” was created because people both needed and wanted the service. It will always be a service that people need, whether they know it or not. Like many consumers, I did not know that I needed these things when I first worked with a REALTOR®. Real estate can be a tricky business that requires constant learning, serious dedication, and a true heart for the people we work with. If you are being represented by a REALTOR®, take notice of the four benefits above. It will help you to know how to best respond to your REALTOR® throughout the process. When you know what our job is all about, you can use us to your greatest advantage.
REALTORS® are people just like you. We are happy beyond description when we have raving clients. We are wounded to the core when our clients do not feel like they are getting the best service. We spend a lot of time thinking about consumer needs and how we can better serve them. We are also consumers ourselves and pay attention to business details everywhere we go. Many of us are pillars of the community, serving on local boards and helping to further our areas. Real estate is the most “local” industry that I can think of. It’s all about our area and our city. REALTORS® who understand this usually collaborate well with each other and enjoy the challenge of this rewarding career. Hiring a good REALTOR® to “represent” you interests is the greatest resource you have to achieve your real estate goals.
Hey There! I’m Winston Bowdre, founder of Winston Alan Realty and creator of the content on my website. Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Please feel free to leave a comment in the contact us box below, or to share this article on social media with someone who might benefit from it. I appreciate your time here on this site and am always open to suggestions and ideas from our readers. Feel free to contact me any time at [email protected]