Tag: marketing

What does a real estate agent do all day?

Being a real estate agent is a tough job. We work constantly, even on weekends, holidays and evenings, and have to balance about one million different tasks for a given sale. On top of that, we’re monitoring leads, following up with clients, and having to market ourselves regularly. But most of that is below the surface, so it leaves some wondering what the heck we actually do all day!

Luckily, Cara Ameer, a realtor in Florida, explained it in detail for Inman.com. I’ve given you the main takeaways from that article below, to shed a little light on what exactly I’m doing for you and my other clients all day:

The realtor is an incubator, initiator, action-taker, coordinator, scheduler, personal concierge, resource, problem-solver, mediator, miracle worker, red-tape cutter, transaction manager, and chief make-it-happen officer for any client that wants to make a real estate move. Some of these roles get delegated elsewhere, but the realtor oversees everything and gives valuable input on the process every step of the way.  I could work every day, and often feel guilty if I am going to be out of town or take a day off (even on my scheduled days off). I usually will check email a couple of times and answer my phone which is also the beauty of it all – I can be on a beach in Hawaii and still answer questions and get things done.

A typical day in the life:

  • Responding: there are always inquiries, emails, texts, etc. to respond to. We are always “open,” if you will, and waiting until the next day can result in a missed sale or lost client. And it’s not just clients asking about properties – it’s other agents, stagers, brokers, and more.
  • Reviewing MLS activity: we review MLS activity for relevant listings and updates on properties of interest and notify our clients right away if anything needs to be shared.
  • Keeping a Database: we must always be updating our contact databases with new customer info, updates, birthdays, home-buying anniversaries, etc.
  • Scheduling Showings: agents put together property itineraries for clients who are planning to house-hunt and see multiple showings. The schedule is constantly changing, and getting it right is a priority for everyone.
  • Making Contact: we are your liaison for establishing a dialogue with sellers or buyers, and conduct all the research for market comparables.
  • Setting/Attending Appointments: meetings never end in real estate. We meet buyers and sellers for initial discussions and tours, we meet inspectors, appraisers and other specialists, and oftentimes you’ll get other calls about other meetings while you’re already in the first one!
  • Negotiating Offers/Managing Sales: this process can take a very long time. Once an offer is accepted, though, and a property goes under contract, the agent has to be on everyone involved to finish their part of the job. That means lenders, title companies, attorneys, other agents, and all clients, to name a few.
  • Problem-Solving: educating clients about the market, the offers, etc., gathering info about a community or property, troubleshooting unseen issues. There are a million little issues that go into a real estate transaction, and the agent will be expected to be the one solving them.
  • Marketing: don’t forget how much we have to market ourselves at all times to gain new clients and keep existing ones. Everything from a website, to a blog, to a newsletter, to a postcard, to a flyer will have to be created, approved, proofread and spread digitally and physically.
Courtesy: Inman.com

Long story short, real estate is a 24/7 profession that involves severe multi-tasking, prioritizing, evaluating, advising, hand-holding and problem-solving. The lifestyle isn’t as glamorous as it seems on TV, but it’s a rewarding job that I love to do! Now you know exactly what kind of work I’m putting in for you!

Selling a home without an agent is risky!

When you sell a home, you don’t need a real estate agent, just like you don’t need a lawyer when facing criminal charges. You can, if you want to, represent yourself in a court of law, and you can always put your home up for sale by owner (FSBO).

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But, it’s an extremely risky proposition. As outlined in this Inman article, there are many things to consider when putting a home up FSBO. Here are eight things, summarized from said Inman article, that sellers risk when they don’t have a realtor representing them:

1. Knowledge

Realtors are professionals in this business. They have expansive knowledge of the complicated home-buying and selling processes, possess loads of helpful data, and have large networks of people who can help minimize the difficulties that arise.

2. Time

The non-realtor probably doesn’t realize how many hours are put into any given home, buy or sell. Real estate agents are available for clients around the clock, on a whim, and can confidently and smoothly quell any concerns by potential home buyers.

3. Presentation

Preparation is essential to selling a home – what buyers see when they walk through the door will determine if your home sells. Agents can prepare the finest details and have stagers, professional photographers and others who will help make the space beautiful.

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4. Marketing

Anyone can draw up a “For Sale” poster, but realtors will design, distribute and widely market the home to a huge number of potential buyers. Realtors can access predictive analysis and promote to those demographics on social media. Also, they know just what to write to draw interest.

5. Negotiation experience

If you’re doing FSBO, what do you do when you actually receive an offer? There’s a purchase agreement to be discussed, price negotiations to be had, and so on. Realtors will make sure you don’t get screwed by a buyer, and that you only incur costs you’re supposed to pay.

6. Inspection and repair know-how 

One of the most important parts of any real estate transaction is knowing which inspections to expect and how to get them done. This is where the realtor’s web of resources comes in handy again – he or she should be able to provide repair people to fix anything discovered in an inspection.

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7. Transaction management

Once a home is in contract with a buyer, there are more steps to close the deal. Realtors can make sure the right people are contacted to handle the closing, appraise the property, repair anything found in inspections and anything else to follow up on.

8. Closing finesse

There are expectations upon closing a property. Non-realtors probably don’t understand what the buyers expect, in terms of when move-in/move-out occurs, the condition one should leave their home in, or what to do if a last-minute issue arises. Realtors do know, and they are worth the time and money to ensure your sale is in good hands.

FSBO’s may be intriguing to the cheap and/or self-confident, but the small savings on a realtor’s commission is not worth the hassle that comes with navigating such a difficult process without professional help, and often a house sells for less than what it would have with an agent even after the commission has been paid.

On that note, there’s a reason I do what I do! I’d love to help you buy or sell a home. Please reach out any time for information regarding the current, local real estate market!