Is there anything that your real estate agent could have done better? What did they do or not do that stood out?
When I was looking for a home 5 years ago, I contacted a realtor well in advance (I was then living in another state). We corresponded and I gave her all the specifics on when I'd be arriving to see property in her area. After my arrival, I found she had left on vacation! The nerve, and I had spent months researching the area, etc. So, her assistant was there and she showed me around, even took me back to the airport when I left! Now there was someone I wanted to do business with again...and I did, when I bought my home I used her, not her boss. So there! Basically, I find out of town realtors to be really lousy when it comes to helping out. They think just because you haven't moved yet, you won't be a client...not true of course. This has happened to me two times (not being serviced properly by agents out of town). It is very frustrating and their behavior is unprofessional.
Yes, a real estate agent can make good money, but not everyone is a good real estate agent. When working on a 100% commission you need to work on a budget and have at least $100,000 cash reserves to fund the business and live off of. This is because it will take you a while to build up your clientele. Ideally, you want to sell one house a week. But it will take time for you to get there and those bills will still have to be paid. Don't count on friends and family for help building your business. If you do get help from them you are lucky. Most will think you are crazy because you have the guts to work for yourself. I would suggest having a part time job as well.
I have dealt with real estate agents as both the buyer and the seller many times and have met many, many realtors. The biggest shortcoming that I feel most real estate agents have, is believe it or not, sales and marketing. Selling agents tend to put your property on the MLS and wait for someone to call with and offer. They really have no marketing or sales training. They will argue that 98% of all properties sold are listed on the MLS. Of course! They don't try any other methods. They will tell you it is listed on the internet on X number of sites. Most get their information from the MLS and the ones that don't, like their personal website, get no traffic, because of a lack of marketing. When someone does show and interest they very, very rarely have the sales skills for overcoming the potential buyers objections. The potential buyer does not like the color of the bedroom walls. Suggest they buy a gallon of paint. Suggest the seller may have the room painted to your desired color. Buying agents tend to do a mass search on the MLS for properties that fall within the price range and area you have given them regardless of other criteria you may have given them regarding number of bedrooms, bath, floorplan, size and amenities. They drive you around showing you house after house waiting for you to walk in to one and fall in love with it. It never occurs to them to ask, What would it take for this house to be the one you buy? Don't like the color of the bedroom walls. I'll buy you a gallon of the paint of your choice. Maybe, we can get the seller to paint it. In all my years I have had one buyers realtor showed us only houses that met our exact criteria. This was refreshing.
