What Tics You Off!

Question

Here's a topic I hope we can all learn from.  If you are a Realtor:  I want to know what tics you off about clients.

If you are a Prospective Purchaser:  I want to know what Tics you off about Realtors.

Hopefully we can learn from each other how to better our processes.

Myself, being rather introverted, developed a "Customer Profile Chart", when I first starting the real estate/mortgage business.  So that I would have some point of reference as to the type of individuals/clients, I would be able to work with.  On this chart I would grade, (from 1 to 10),  a prospective buyer's responses to questions pertaining to the prosposed transaction.   The questions where always simple questions like,  "Where's the MOney",  "How long have you been looking", "Where did you say the money was again". ect..

Anyway the reason I needed such a tool was because It helped me to identfy possible personality types that I would have a hard time working with.  This helps me maintain a Tic Free, Stress Free Enviroment.

N/A N/A · Answer

As an agent I can tell you that what ticks me off about clients is when you work for them for a month or more and they play a round of golf with their brother-in-law's cousins friend and make an offer through him!

Some people really don't understand that you make no money on all the open houses and floor time shifts and sending them listings and taking them out for anice little site-seeing tour.

Dick Green · Answer

We have a saying in the sales arena.  It states that problems and confusing situations are usually opportunities to make a profit.

N/A N/A · Answer

Convincing ability would realy do it. A realtor should be able to influence people

N/A N/A · Answer

What you say reminds me of something I heard last night when I was watching the "King of the Hill" 8 ball shoot-out championships. (billiards)
In 8 ball, or any billiards game, the real pros, the champions, get the trouble spots out of the way first. For example, If they see that the 9 ball is tucked right up against the 8 and the 4, say, in a cluster, they will take a difficult shot to shoot it clear.
Lesser players will take all the easy shots and avoid the trouble 'till the end of the game when it can really make them lose everything.
just thought I'd share...

Dick Green · Answer

I'm nearing the end of my work day.  Today was slotted mainly for phone work.  I often talk to agents, buyers, title companies and other participants to transactions.  I have noticed a re-occurring theme and a common complaint among them about a certain character trait.

This trait is not just limited to buyers, sellers, agents, or mortgage entities.  So common is this trait that I'm going to call it "The Ostrich Principle".

The ostrich is a fast running bird but it's totally flightless.  It's the largest living bird. When confronted with adversity it sticks it's head in the ground and just waits for the trouble to go away.  Another characteristic of the ostrich is that when it stands upright it can't see anything below eye level.

Many times I hear of complaints about ostriches getting involved in real estate transactions.  Initially the ostrich will tell you that everything they touch will fly but in reality it's plans can never leave the ground.  When met with adversity they simply quit communicating with other parties involved.  They traditionally take days to return phone calls.  The ostrich has no regard to the fact that conditions around them are becoming blightful for they only have to put their head in the sand to make the problems go away.  If you are in a lesser position to an ostrich in a transaction be careful for the ostrich will sware that it does'nt see you.  The ostrich will not be concerned about protecting your interest.

I boast in the fact that I'm always accessible and really have a short fuse for individuals that take days to return calls and messages.  In my elder years I have learned that dealing with issues head first compensates for a weakened memory.  I don't have to remember as much as long as I tell the truth and deal with complicated issues as soon as possible.  If asked about a matter at some later date the truth is easier to remember.

Have a great 4th of July and watch out for Ostriches.

Lynn Z · Answer

my daughter is a realtor that has made $12000 a year and $200,000 a year. In watching her operate over the years, I realize she's as appreciative of my poor friends looking for a cheap in town condo as wealthy customers.  She still has month's she has no closings as do all agents.  She works 7/24 to make good money.   Other agents she refers clients to in other towns  don't bother to pay her the agreed on referral fee  when the closings occur.  She has to run them down and press for the money. That' 's the awful truth...is how they treat each other.  Also, if a realtor tells you they have a great deal on a house.. they really mean they think it will sell.  They're not concerned with figuring  your spread after fix up etc. or whether it's a good deal for you.   They are "SALES PEOPLE" after all.  Few of them have invested in real estate for the long haul themselves...just quick flips.

N/A N/A · Answer

That fact of the matter is, only 15% of the realtors agressively sell, market, list and bascially earn their pay (over $100,000 per year).  The others expect listings to fall into their laps or be handed business.  Talk to any seasoned agent and they will tell you that it takes hard work and networking-build your own business and don't give up.

Lee Warren · Answer

Well, the biggest reason why I initially went and picked up my license was due to the agents that I had dealt with.  The lack of respect was key to me.  They seemed to only look out for themselves.  I had an agent that I told what kind of property that I was looking for.  She intentionally left out two properties because the buyer's agent commission was 2% instead of 3%.  When dealing with investors, agent should realize that if you treat the investor right the first time, it will lead to more sales in the future.  You might lose a point here and there, but the long-term relationship is what makes it all worth it.  Not to mention, having an agent that you can trust is key.  The agents that I was dealing with wouldn't return calls, wouldn't show up on time for anything, and very rarely followed through with the things that they had committed to do.  Every time that I have a client, I sit back and remember why I got my license.  Fact is, being an agent is a long term committment.  The majority of your business comes from referrals.  If you don't provide the best service you can every time, you'll never get those referrals and won't last long in the business.  I live by the rule of if you do something good, maybe 1 or two people will hear about it.  However, if you treat someone wrong, at least 10 will hear about it.  Unfortunate, but it's human nature.  Besides, with me also having my home inspector's license, I feel that I can serve better as a buyer's agent by looking at a prospective house with a little more detail.  If the numbers are good, that's one part.  If there is a lot of deferred maintenance, then that can hurt the investor in the long run.  If agents would re-read their Law of Agency once in a while, it would probably make a world of difference.  Granted, this isn't every agent.  I know some good ones that treat people right.  However, being that this is a venting post, I figured I would throw my two cents in on the subject.

Lee Warren

Tony B · Answer

LOL and how about that they do not read that paperwork!! Or believe the tiny details they write/dont write/omit/read/dont understand/discuss while 'representing' their buyers/sellers are enforcable even. LOL

The worst part is that it's not just the newbie agents, but also many veteran agents.  :roll:

Bryan Casteel · Answer

First of all, I am a licensed agent.

Secondly, what upsets me most about licensed agents IN GENERAL is that they do not add any value to the process.  Getting a listing, putting it into the MLS and filling out some paperwork is not valuable.  If the MLS was open to public listings and every home seller had an attorney, most agents would be utterly useless.  This is sad because that means that these deadbeat agents are just a drain on the home sellers equity and nothing else.

In Greater Cincinnati, the average agent takes home $17K a year in commissions.  The agents that ARE worth the 6% or 7% are the ones making much more money and they should.  A good agent is a marketing consultant.  They have the ability to have a tough discussion with the homeseller about what needs to be done to get the house sold and they have the ability to understand the market and what it wants.