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What buyers and sellers look for in a real estate agent

December 11, 2020
/ by 
Haley Samuels
What buyers and sellers look for in a real estate agent

Finding the right real estate agent when buying or selling a home is crucial. Here’s a bit about what buyers and sellers are looking for.

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Finding the right real estate agent when buying or selling a home is crucial. This partnership can result in thousands saved for buyers and thousands made for buyers. With so many agents in the market, it’s important to know ways to ensure you stand out and gain the trust of your clients so that you can have a successful partnership. Here’s a bit about what buyers and sellers are looking for.

 

What Buyers May be Looking For

 

Timeliness

Purchasing a home is very stressful, especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer. As there are so many deadlines, timeliness is of the essence. Clients look for real estate agents who make themselves available to ensure that everything is done in a timely manner. They may also rely on their agent to keep them on task. You’re a team, so it’s important that the team run smoothly on both sides. Decide with your clients early what the best way to reach eachother will be—text, email, calling. This way you know how to reach eachother in a flash.

 

Expertise

Buyers, especially those who are coming from out of state, are looking for agents who have a wealth of knowledge they can use. The more freely you share knowledge and expertise, the more trust you’re able to build with your clients. Offer them contacts and recommendations. If they’re a first-time buyer, ensure they know about lenders in the area who will offer them a “first-time buyer program.” If they can’t pay all cash, do they know that Ribbon can help by turning their offer into all-cash so they can win their dream home? Don’t be afraid of telling them too much. You do this every day, they don’t. Even the most knowledgeable buyer could use some help.

 

Honesty

As part of the team, honesty is important. There’s a lot of jargon and black boxing in real estate. It’s hard for many buyers to know exactly what is happening or what some documents may mean. Be honest, truthful, and direct. Did you notice something during your walkthrough that they should know about? At the end of the day, you want them to say they loved their experience and if they find something that they feel you should have shared, it’s a lost connection.

 

Extra qualifications

There are many certifications and programs for real estate agents to advance their knowledge in specific buyer or seller types. Some buyers may be more interested in working with agents who have these qualifications—such as a Certified Residental Specialist or Accredited Buyer’s Representative. Worth looking into!

 

The best-of-the-best in technology

When it comes down to it, clients are looking for a streamlined and easy home buying process. Ribbon can help. Our standard offers platform allows you to manage your workflow in one place. You will be able to autofill, send, and edit offers — faster than anyone else. It’s a win for both you and your clients to have the best of the best.

 

Interested in learning more about how we can help you stand out? Make an appointment with a Ribbon expert here.

 

What Sellers May be Looking For

 

Success rate

The ideal agent for a seller is someone who has sold homes faster and for more money than the average area. They may learn this online or from friends who recommend you.

 

Expertise

Sellers are coming to you for your knowledge of the market and value of their home. Be honest with them about what you think they should get done before even listing on the market. As you know, the longer it’s available, the more difficult it will be to get the full listing price, so help them do the work early and you’ll both benefit. This may even mean recommending a pre-listing inspection.

 

Advice on curb appeal

There are big and small ways to upgrade a home before selling. Clients will look to their agent for expert recommendations based on the health of the market. Some sellers may be comfortable giving their furniture a quick reposition. Some may be happy to add new plantings outside or outdoor seating. And some may be happy to go all-in, giving rooms like a kitchen an upgrade.

 

New Technology

Often videos and photography are the only things that possible buyers see online before clicking “next.” So, it’s very important that these are top quality. No matter how small the home is, clients are looking for agents that can play up the best parts of the home and get its uniqueness across quickly. If you don’t know how to take photos or videos, that’s totally okay! Have contacts and recommendations ready and available.

 

New offers

Sellers too want a streamlined and easy process, as they may be selling and buying at the same time. Ribbon offers sellers a unique opportunity to buy a home before selling their current home so that they have some extra time before overlapping mortgages (if the bank will even allow it). Having access to the newest offers and technology will make you stand out and could be the difference between winning and losing for a client.

Interested in learning more about how we can help you stand out? Make an appointment with a Ribbon expert here.

Written by: 
Haley Samuels
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