How To Get A Real Estate Agent To Work With You!

 

Are you the type of buyer that can't get an agent to work with you long term? Buyers are a dime a dozen in the real estate business. Most of the time agents get overwelmed about how to select, manage and to find properties for those buyers.

Agents only have a certain amount of time in a day to service clients so they must be selective with the buyers they choose to spend their time with. In the world of real estate the experienced agents will only work with serious buyers that come out prepared to buy now.

 

When you call an agent that has a property you are interested in and if you want in, then you need to cooperate with the agent. Every agent has their own way of interviewing a buyer on the phone or in person to get the information they need to determine if you're a qualified buyer for that particular property or any property. Imagine if an agent took out every last buyer that called each day on an appointment to see a home, to only realize that most or all of those buyers are unable to buy or not ready to buy.

As a potential buyer, you have to remember that this is a sales agent's profession and it's what they do to earn an income to care for their families. So in order for you to get an agent's undivided attention there are some things you should prepare to do first.

 

Here are some tips to keep an agent working with you, it may not happen in this order but at least you will have a guide to developing a relationship with an agent: 

- Know What You Need - In order for an agent to be able to help you, you have to be able to express what you want in a home. For instance, bedrooms, baths, parking, brick or frame, need a basement, etc.

-Know What You Can Afford - You honestly know what you can afford each month without a mortgage person telling you, you just need to know how that relates in terms of price. Just like when you go out to rent an apartment, you already know what you're willing to spend each month...same with buying a home. But you need to ask the mortgage rep to add in all other expenses of the home with the mortgage to get as close to that total monthly cost.  

When you find out what you can afford then you need to know which areas you should be looking in.

- Location - Now this is the big one because many times I get calls where buyers say I will live anywhere in Brooklyn. So that means, I must set aside the time to find one house in the 4th largest city America. To choose a location consider the transportation you need, whether you like a quieter area or an area that is more busy near shops, etc., an area near your child's school, near family or work. Just choose!!!!

- Calling An Agent: When you call a more experienced agent he or she may want to know more about your qualifications before they just agree to take time to show you a property or agree to work with  you long term. So be prepared to answer a few questions about your needs, contact information and sometimes even some financial questions. 

- Going To The Office - Again, more seasoned agents that feel you have potential to buy just from a conversation with you may ask you to come into their office. Why? Agents are usually testing you to see if you're a willing buyer because a serious buyer will do whatever it takes to get the home they want right now. Also, they can sit down with you face to face and get a feeling for what you want, when you want it and if you have the means to get it.

 

- Meeting At The Property - If an agent just decides to meet with you at a property and you feel you want to work with this agent then come prepared to give some information. This is your chance to communicate with the agent about what you're looking for and your situation. 

-Qualifications- If you want an agent to take you seriously let them know you had a consultation with a bank or mortgage company or you already have a pre-approval. This way, the agent knows you have begun to take the necessary steps to begin the process. 

- Credit Score - Your credit score is a major factor in the bank's decision to give you a loan or not. But an agent is impressed if you already have your three credit scores.  If you check your credit score yourself 
your score will not drop. Go to sites like CreditScore.com and get your score from all three credit bureaus and you can walk with it for up to three months. 

- Be On Time - Agents will literally let you go if you continue to be very late for appointments or not show at all. Most agents have appointments back to back and how they use their time is important. 

- Low Ball Offers - I know as a  buyer you're looking for a deal, but if you give one or more ridiculous offers that is way out of the ball park an agent will think you're just playing games and will most likely discontinue the relationship.

- Not Placing Offers - If an agent has found several homes that fit your needs and  it's in the right price range and realizes that you're not putting in an offer or cancelling offers you better believe that agent will pull away from you eventually. 

If you want a skilled agent to treat you like a client and provide you great service then you need to respect the agent for what they do. An agent that provides excellent service and is willing to scour the city to find what you want is hard to find, so when you find a good agent cooperate and both of you will be happy in the end. 

READ MORE OF OUR ARTICLES TO HELP YOU THROUGH THE BUYING PROCESS!

Written By: Rhonda Holt, Queen of Real Estate
Full Time Top Sales Agent  
H.P Greenfield
Cell: 646-725-5941
Email: HelpMeRhonda1919@yahoo.com
My site: http://www.RhondaHolt.com