Don't Be Afraid To Ask This Question
There are dozens of questions a buyer or seller should ask a real estate agent before they decide to hire them.
A new question has come to mind that I think should be asked prior to making a decision about which agent to hire.
Today's real estate crisis has left many, many agents short on paychecks. Like everybody else, real estate agents need to be making sales and earning commissions in order to support themselves and their families. That's been pretty tough for the last few months because of the downturn in the real estate market.
So, to make ends meet, many agents have had to find work elsewhere. Sometimes that work is part-time. Sometimes it is full-time. That's understandable.
The problem is, when they are not working in real estate, how much time can they put toward selling your house or finding your next home?
Obviously, this outside employment limits the time they can spend working on your assignment.
So, before you hire an agent today, buyers and sellers need to ask if the agent they are talking to is a full-time or part-time agent. Naturally, I would only hire a full-time professional. But if a buyer or seller thinks he can get his work accomplished with a part-time effort, then hire the part-time agent.
Now, here's something else buyers and sellers need to consider: mental attitude.
The downturn in real estate has eroded many an agent's love for the real estate business. They have become depressed -- and understandably so.
Are they still working full time? Well, they may say "yes", but their mental attitude is so low that they have really already left the real estate business. It's just a matter of time before they pack up their office supplies and get a new job.
Buyers and sellers need to try to determine not just full versus part-time status, but also an agent's mental attitude toward the real estate business. That's not an easy thing to do, I know, but you need to look for some enthusiasm that may be lacking from other agents. Enthusiasm, looking toward the bright side, being excited and pleased to be working with you and a positive mental attitude -- those are key items that tell a lot about an agent's outlook.
So, hire a full time professional who stays on the sunny side of the street. You'll be happier if you do.
For more information on real estate in the Tampa Bay area, please visit my website at http://www.thestpeterealestatesite.com/.
A new question has come to mind that I think should be asked prior to making a decision about which agent to hire.
Today's real estate crisis has left many, many agents short on paychecks. Like everybody else, real estate agents need to be making sales and earning commissions in order to support themselves and their families. That's been pretty tough for the last few months because of the downturn in the real estate market.
So, to make ends meet, many agents have had to find work elsewhere. Sometimes that work is part-time. Sometimes it is full-time. That's understandable.
The problem is, when they are not working in real estate, how much time can they put toward selling your house or finding your next home?
Obviously, this outside employment limits the time they can spend working on your assignment.
So, before you hire an agent today, buyers and sellers need to ask if the agent they are talking to is a full-time or part-time agent. Naturally, I would only hire a full-time professional. But if a buyer or seller thinks he can get his work accomplished with a part-time effort, then hire the part-time agent.
Now, here's something else buyers and sellers need to consider: mental attitude.
The downturn in real estate has eroded many an agent's love for the real estate business. They have become depressed -- and understandably so.
Are they still working full time? Well, they may say "yes", but their mental attitude is so low that they have really already left the real estate business. It's just a matter of time before they pack up their office supplies and get a new job.
Buyers and sellers need to try to determine not just full versus part-time status, but also an agent's mental attitude toward the real estate business. That's not an easy thing to do, I know, but you need to look for some enthusiasm that may be lacking from other agents. Enthusiasm, looking toward the bright side, being excited and pleased to be working with you and a positive mental attitude -- those are key items that tell a lot about an agent's outlook.
So, hire a full time professional who stays on the sunny side of the street. You'll be happier if you do.
For more information on real estate in the Tampa Bay area, please visit my website at http://www.thestpeterealestatesite.com/.
-30-
posted by Terry Ward at 8:18 AM
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