Blog Stories We Wear Many Hats: Chapter 1

We Wear Many Hats: Chapter 1

By Carly van Aart, November 12, 2019

From an outsider’s perspective a career in real estate can seem like a dream. With HGTV cranking out series after series depicting agents showing a few houses one day, a short montage of renovation and a happy family reveal, it makes it all look so easy. With it’s flexible schedule and theoretically enormous income, what’s not to love?! Well, as with any job, there is more to being a REALTOR® than meets the eye. A truly dedicated realtor, in my mind, is far more than a salesperson. Although marketing and showing a home in it’s best light is indeed a much needed skill, a good REALTOR® is most importantly an advocate for their buyers and sellers and, as such, there is great depth to the job. All said and done, our work requires us to utilize a very diverse set of skills and this blog series lets you in on the nitty gritty of some of the less commonly acknowledged hats that we wear.

Real Estate Agent as a Project Manager:

You get what you pay for and when you opt to hire a full service realtor, such as myself,  you can anticipate to not only receive vetted contractor referrals from me, I can also be highly involved with scheduling and oversight of these contractors.

For sellers, we formulate a comprehensive and strategic plan to guide them as they prepare to list their property.  Working with the seller to execute the plan is one of my favorite hats to wear.

On the flip side, similar work is done on behalf of the buyer as they perform their due diligence on the property that they plan to purchase.  Immediately after a buyer has had an offer accepted we jump into action scheduling important inspections to ensure that our client is making a well informed decision about the physical health of the house in which they are investing. Whether or not our buyer can be there we attend all inspections of which there are generally a minimum of four. In the case of Anna and Daniel, there was a lot of work to be done when they found their charming little cottage in Creston-Kenilworth. Keeping budget and location top of mind, they decided to dive into a fixer. As is often the case with a house that has deferred maintenance, there were a number of issues found during the inspections that needed further investigation. All said and done, I organized bids and repairs with 9 different contractors over the course of their purchase. Because I love learning new things,  I truly enjoyed the process.  Learning about the inner workings of this house through thorough investigation allowed for Anna and Daniel to be well informed but I also gained knowledge that contributes to even better service for future clients. Although I consider this coordination part of my job, I often forget that not all agents are willing to take on this role with the same level of commitment, it felt oh so good when, over a champagne toast at their new home, Anna and Daniel expressed their gratitude for this behind the scenes work on their behalf. It was a great reminder that going that extra mile really does matter.

 

Whether buying for the first time, selling a cherished family home or relocating to this fantastic city, it is truly an honor to see my clients through their transition and make the process fun and painless.

Carly van Aart

Earth Advantage Broker, Licensed in OR & WA

Real estate has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. As a child I filled notebooks and whiteboards with plans of dream homes and tree fortresses and when asked what I wanted to do for my sixteenth birthday my one desire was to go house-hunting. In addition I have a strong affinity for helping and advocating for others. Nothing lights up my world like serving someone in a way that leaves them beyond satisfied! Needless to say, as a REALTOR® I have the incredible opportunity to serve my clients with a decision that for many, is one of the largest that they will make in their lifetime. Whether buying for the first time, selling a cherished family home or relocating to this fantastic city, it is truly an honor to see my clients through their transition and make the process fun and painless. A native Alaskan, I grew up hauling firewood, working the garden and tending to the family rabbits. My childhood taught me the meaning of hard work and for that I am very grateful.  These days I am a lover of dog kisses and outdoor adventures. I dabble in triathlon and enjoy helping fundraise for local charities. I am extremely close to my incredible family even though they are spread out across the west coast. I look forward to the opportunity to foster a relationship with you and help you make your real estate dreams a reality!
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  • T: 503-250-1687
  • F: 503-961-8224
  • carlyvanaart@gmail.com

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