Transform Transform July 2014 | Page 17

When a buyer requires a property close to downtown do you show listings in the suburbs? areas may average sales of 1.5% above tax-assessed value, while other areas may average only 1.2%. buyer does not notice potential problems is a salesperson solely focused on earning a commission. The answer might be obvious but take a moment and think about your past showings with clients. Did you deviate from anything they expressed about the type of home they needed? For a buyer to understand what a specific home is comparable to, they may need to have access to other homes in the area. A good agent listens to their buyer’s specific interests and delivers based on those expectations. Many real estate agents only view homes when buyers request to view the property. A good agent has viewed many properties so they have firsthand experience with different homes. A buyer does not need an agent that simply confirms how attractive the floor is or how detailed the kitchen is. A good agent is a skilled professional that walks through the property and provides information on issues that may need attention. 3. The Finer Details Are you detailed oriented? Do you help your buyer understand every disclosure and purpose of each form in the real estate contract? Do you review the closing documents before the buyer signs to be certain everything is correct? A good agent explains the purpose of each form to help the buyer make an informed decision about what needs a signature. 4. Brokers Opens Do you attend Broker Opens weekly and take notes? Over the course of time, a good agent will have acquired a group of listings for a specific area and know the values of specific homes. They will know the price the home is listed for, what other homes in the area have sold for, as well as how much the figures are inflated. For instance, some When a buyer describes what they need from a home, the agent should say, “I have just the house,” or, “I have two or three homes that fit that description.” It’s unrealistic for an agent to view every home on the market, however, they should have acquired a book with hundreds of listings that include detailed notes. This will help the agent offer factual information to potential buyers when needed and demonstrate their expertise. The real estate agent should offer a fair assessment of the home’s physical value