On Friday, I had to sit at the Texas Association of REALTORS' Winter session for the Professional Standards and Grievance Committee training class that is now mandatory each year instead of every two years. Of course, since it's MCE credit, no external distractions, meaning no phone and no computer.
However, the multi-tasker that I am, right before it started, I checked my email and received a message from a buyer who found five properties she wanted to see and had already spoken with a mortgage person, yadda yadda. I responded back immediately saying that I was at an all day seminar and could I call her that evening or over the weekend.
I was able to check my email a couple of more times during breaks, and conversed back and forth in addition to talking with her Friday evening. We scheduled time on Sunday to view some houses.
We met and I asked how they found me. The husband says, "My wife just really likes you." Really?? Why?
The wife says, "My husband really likes the other Realtor."
WHOA!!! What? Other Realtor??
What happened with the other Realtor? They had been looking at houses for a while, but the Realtor wouldn't show them houses in areas they wanted to be in. They found an area they loved, and even tried to get her to show them houses there, and she ignore the requests. She kept showing them houses in a neighboring community.
The wife decided she needed to do further research, and when I responded immediately to her email, under 5 minutes, she was impressed and told her husband they had to work with me!
We saw five houses this morning, and we're going to write an offer on one tomorrow.
Note to the public: If you're unhappy with the agent you're working with, you're allowed to make a change. You don't have to stay in an unhappy situation.
**Are You Packed Yet?**
Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way.
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** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **
Copyright© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* "My Husband Likes the Other Realtor..." WHOA - WHAT?? * was first published on donnahomesblog.com
That part about another Realtor will throw you real quick. It makes you sit up and take notice.
Some fits don't work out. I had a woman dump me once because she found a person at an open house who could see into her soul. Obviously, I han't been able too and happily let her go.
Well, it just goes to show you how important it can be to distinguish yourself from your competition. Congratulations on winning the client. Too bad for the 'other' Realtor.
I'm glad it worked out for you. When I read that you were in a seminar I thought the post was going to end with the buyers going to someone else. Evidently they were true buyers, and you were rewarded with a good sale. Congrats for the prompt response to her inquiry. Charlie Gantz, Greenwood, IN; J.D., M.B.A.; Owner/Principal Broker, Atlas Commercial Real Estate, LLC
I will never understand why agents don't listen to what their customer/clients are saying? In this case you have a buyer telling the agent wht tahey weant and the agent just chose to ignore them. Foolish. And good for you for helping them out.
William, Yes, my ears perked really high!
Glenn, She sounds a little crazy to me!
John, THanks, and I don't feel bad for a second for the other agent! She gives us a bad name...
Charles, I had that almost happen last week with another buyer when I was in Dallas for Raincamp. I got them back in, and we're looking at houses on Thursday.
Bryant, I know! They were very specific about what they wanted. Hearing is different from listening...
Donna, I can't imagine starting to take clients around and not finishing the job. Wonder why she didn't want to take them where they wanted to go. Her loss.
Hi Donna,
It really is complex to get a listing or a sale put together.
There are alot of bases that need to be touched (addressed)
But listening to what a client wants would be pretty much at the top.
Congratulations
Thank You,
Robert Twaron San Antonio Military Relocation
Was the other agent steering?? What ever she did, it worked out for you...yay!
Great job! Part of me wants to educate that other agent and part of me doesn't want to because this is how our level of service outshines theirs. The Professional Standards course was fun. Glad to get to spend the day with you twice in one week.
I'm sure your prompt response went a long way towards impressing them. Hope your offer is accepted.
Hi Donna, It makes no sense why consumers remain in an unhappy situation with another agent who refuses to LISTEN to their needs. Glad you could make it work for them and congrats on the Offer--hope you get to Contract SOON!
Donna it pays to listen. If you can't show the areas someone is interested in it really makes for unhappy buyers. Congrats.
I have heard and seen many consumers are "willing" to stay with an agent they are not happy with, whatever the reason is. Glad your client knows how to pick a good agent!
I had a client whom I worked with told me that. Like you, before I know it, that sentence came out. It was also because the other realtor gave them some rebates back. Story closed. She wanted to play the devil and put the blame on the husband. But I knew her well enough to know who wears the pants in the house. NEXT!
Well, just a couple of days ago what I thought was an internet lead called me wanting to see a home. Then it slipped out that not only did she have another agent, but THAT SHE HAD PUT AN OFFER ON ANOTHER HOME AND NOW DIDN'T WANT IT and wanted to look at something else. What????? She went on to say that her realtor wouldn't show her any more houses (she had put in an offer remember?) and that they had been looking for about a year for a home. I kindly declined showing her other properties and told her to call her realtor. I also told her she was very lucky to have such a patient agent. Oh yes I did.
Donna,
Wow what a story. Makes you wonder how some people stay in the business. Also sounds like some steering going on there.
Sounds like it worked out for you. Nice job! Way to respond quickly, which has clearly paid off.
THe other agent wasn't "steering", but they weren't listening. It also wasn't a different area. We're talking 1/4 mile down the street from where she kept showing them. It's the same market, but different city and school district. No need to pass on for a referral.