What does a Real Estate expert mean to you? Is it someone that knows all the developments in their area? Someone who knows the ins and outs of the real estate industry and negotiations? Someone who knows whats going on in the community and what makes a community special?
In the Real Estate Industry there seems to be no gauge to rank what makes one agent better then another. There are designations, there are sales stats, but does all that mean that someone is an expert or even a good Realtor? How as a general end user of our services does one determine to use one agent over another?
What do you think makes a Real Estate agent an Expert or the person you would want to do business with and refer your friends and family to? Wouldnt it be great if there was a way to rank Realtors.
Heather Joubran, GRI, NRBA, CLHMS, CDPE
RE/MAX Central Realty
www.HeatherTheRealtor.com (407) 810-6304
Specializing in First Time Home Buyers, Short Sales, Bank Owned Real Estate, REO & Foreclosure Properties
Servicing Real Estate Needs in: Lake Mary, Longwood, Winter Springs, Sanford, Altamonte Springs, Oviedo, Orlando, Downtown Orlando, Thornton Park, College Park, Winter Park, Maitland, Windermere, UCF, Lake Nona, Baldwin Park, Apopka, Ocoee & Winter Garden
I never claim to be an expert, or specialist, those are dangerous words because they mean you may know more than anyone else on that subject. I think Customer Service is the NUMBER 1 job people really care about. Because true Customer Service puts the Customers needs First. Many people can learn and pass a test or exam for a license and later many designations.. but how they relate to customers and clients will make the differnece in success.
I believe, to be honest with you, to each individual buyer and seller it is a different person. What I believe makes a homeowner or buyer choose one Realtor over the other is their level of trust and comfort with that person. If you display good characteristics of trust and comfort, I believe you will be successful in this business.
So far I am hearing that the level of service a person provides to their clients is what makes that person number 1 in their eyes
I am with you on that one.. I don't have a lot of designations....but I do know my communities, and know what I am doing... so designations are not necessarily the way to determine really anything (as far as the quality of an agent)
In my opinion, what makes someone an expert is not necessarily what makes customers want to work with them. An expert would be someone who is knowledgeable about the business and the locales, experienced in the profession, skilled at important tasks in the particular field (like negotatiating, problem solving, financing, etc.), and has a quality team in place around them to get the job done.
Good customer service including your friendliness, honesty, trustworthiness, consistency, and dependability probably help you more with expanding your customer base than do the things that make you an expert.
As for the designations, I have plenty of them. They certainly make you appear to look smart to other people, but they don't necessarily mean you are an "expert" or good to work with. I often joke with people that the designations make me sound smarter than I am.
I agree with Rob's comments. You have to have the knowledge, skill and professionalism. There are so many realtors to choose from that possess this. Sometimes it comes down to which realtor's personality fits that clients personality. They want to make sure you are a good fit for there needs and can communicate good with them (In addition to having the knowlege and skill). I don't have alot of designations but I do think they make you look good. So far I haven't lost a client to another realtor because they had more designations than me. I am honest and have told them I've been so busy I didn't take the time to take the class to get the "label". I am not as busy now (nor have been for 3 months) so I could probably go do that. I chose to do the real estate coaching instead. I think that will help me to be a better agent and keep me on my toes. I just started it last month.
Rob great response!
I think everything you mentioned is pretty much a part of it. But mostly, are you putting their needs and best intersts first. Are we sharing our ears (listening) as well as offering sound advice? A mere suggestion can go a long way in our field, and if it's something that specific buyer won't heed to, somone else will. Our knowledge and our willingness to go the extra mile is what sets each of us apart. There are about 12, 000+ agents here in Washington, DC...you HAVE to set yourself apart while maintaining a professional front! I have said this before, at the end of the day, people want to know how you are going to deliver results, which matter WAY more than what company you affiliate with and how many designations you may have...