By Living Room Realty, July 23, 2019
Real Estate Can be Transaction Based or Authentic Based.. Or BOTH.
I never knew when I got into Real Estate that so much of a REALTORS® job hinges upon the agent on the other end…
Just as important as the underlying sales contract which was signed in ink, is an ongoing social contract between the buyer’s agent and a listing agent. As realtors, we don’t get to choose who we get to work with. Our clients choose us, but we don’t choose the other agent. Expectations for how we will work together: norms for communication, decision making; how unforeseen events will be handled; dispute resolution; conditions and means for renegotiation; and the like are unknown from the start (unless you have worked with that agent in the past). Sure, we are required to work from a code of ethics, but there are still some rotten apples in our industry, agents with BIG ego’s that are unresponsive, inflated, over-confident or lazy. Most of us that have been doing real estate for awhile have an “A” list of agents we love, and a “D” list. Some have “F” lists too. Thankfully, mine only has three names on it.
The best real estate agents follow the common goal of closing on a home but also have a clear focus on being genuine to one another. In a genuine relationship, both parties are responsive to each other regardless of the situation. Both sides can negotiate their clients needs – but do so fairly. A transaction can become more personal when an agent takes the time to share a fuller picture of their client and their client’s fears. Building authentic relationships in real estate is not complicated, but it does take patience and a shift in focus. Instead of measuring success by the number of deals closed, we can measure it in smiles and gratitude.
I have another “A” agent to throw onto my “A” list. Charity Adams. She worked hard to facilitate a safe environment for her client to feel heard. My job was to listen. The result – A happy buyer and a happy seller.
