What you should expect from your Real Estate Agent, and how important is it to you?

I came across a survey  a few days ago that resonated with me, and I wanted to share it with you. It's what home buyers and sellers expect from their agent, by level of importance.  I nearly fell off my chair when I read some of the numbers. EXPECT MORE FROM YOUR AGENT, PERIOD! I'll tell you a story...

Just yesterday, I received a call from a past seller client who moved out of state,  and she called me to get a referral for an agent in her area to sell her home. So I looked on the internet for  local real estate sites, I checked realtor.com to see which company was listing what, and what that company's  average listing prices were until I had found a few  that could be in the running.

As you know, I am affiliated with RE/MAX, and there was a RE/MAX office in her area, but I didn't see that to be a good match for her needs. That's rare, but it happens.  After reviewing the company websites, I found one firm that stood out to me, so I called, spoke with the Office manager, and described the type of agent that  I was looking for to assist my past client.  Well she gave me somebody alright, WHOA! The agent called me up, Ms. Gum-chomper, and a baby was crying in the background. That agent bragged about how wonderful she was, and all I could think of is that the only person she's trying to convince of how good she is, is HERSELF!

That was a BIG no-no in my book. So I called the manager and said, (in a very pleasant manner) that the agent did not seem like a good fit for my client, and could she please have someone else call me. The manager did ask why I felt that way, and I was frank- I told her that the agent sounded a bit brash, there was a baby crying in the background, and it just didn't seem professional to me.  The agent called me back to tell me that the child wasn't hers, but in fact, it was her clients, and she was out showing a client around when she called me. THREE wrong things with that picture. Out with a client and not giving full attention to that client, calling someone else in front of that client, and driving and talking with a BABY in the car. Ok, fast forward...

I got another agent that was just perfect! and for that I am happy. Now, after that long story (sorry) it leads me to this survey taken by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). NAR recently published their annual Profile of Buyers and Sellers. In it, there was a survey about what buyers and sellers deemed important skills that their agent ought to have. The results may surprise you, depending on how you look at that figures compiled. If you look at the chart below, it represents the percentage of importance placed by the  respondents on a particular aspect of real estate.  Just to be clear, this is an excerpt, and not the entire poll, which was broken down further by marriage status and gender, although the numbers are still similar.

The numbers that surprised me most were negotiation skills, people skills, and technology skills, because as a Realtor I think that these skills are also very important.

That agent had poor people skills, evidenced  by her disrespect to her client, and for me, for that matter. She didn't have a personal website, either. That doesn't cut the mustard with me,  and it shouldn't with a buyer or seller either. I think that a lot of these skillsets mentioned should rate a lot higher, and buyers and sellers hould expect more from their agent. When  I put my name on something, it BETTER be good, period, and all agents  should set the highest standard for themselves and their clients as possible.



Don't worry about hurting your Realtor's feelings. Tell them what you think!

It's a beautiful day, and you go house-hunting with your real estate agent. He/she shows you a number of houses. Some are just okay, but there are some houses that you really don't like. Instead of telling your agent what you don't like about some of  the houses you just saw, you just don't say anything.

When you go into a house and you don't like the style, for example, you really should voice your opinion, whether it's asked of you or not, or your agent will show you that style again and again, not realizing that you don't care for it. Your realtor doesn't (or shouldn't)  take the rejection of these houses personally.

Not being vocal doesn't help you or your agent in the long run. What you don't like about a house  is just as important to know as what you DO like and want in a home.  It is important that you tell your agent the good and the bad about each house, so he/she can tailor your home criteria accordingly. Write it down on the MLS property sheet at the end of each showing, if you need to, and discuss it on the way to the next house. Don't wait until the end of the day- each house's features can become a blur.

As always in real estate, communication is Key.


Real Estate Closing Disasters, and how to avoid them.

Buying or selling a home is a very emotional experience for many people. Everything can appear to go smoothly  during the negotiations, but  when you go to the closing table, it seems that the Dr. Jekyll /Mr. Hyde buyer or seller comes out. What exactly just happened?

It's either a lack of communication that causes the last minute closing debacles, or quite frankly, it's someone's ego. It  doesn't have to be intentional, and many times it isn't. What may be very important to you is not as important to someone else. When you find out some tidbit of information just prior to the closing, when emotions run high, it's not unreasonable on your part to get upset,  especially when you feel that you should have known something previously. And yes, sometimes, it just feels malicious.

Yes, there are laws in Connecticut about disclosure, and I have found it very rare for something of extreme legal importance not to be disclosed. I'm talking about what was supposed to stay, what was supposed to be gone, what all of a sudden doesn't work, who doesn't have the funds wired into their account, etc. etc.

All the more reason to hire a professional and  experienced real estate agent  to represent you. I have talked to countless buyers and sellers who had purchased a home without the expertise, guidance, and negotiating skills  of a real estate professional,  and they ALL say that they would never go it alone EVER again. Yes, these last minute snags can happen when you are working with an agent, but that agent also acts as an intermediary on your behalf. What can easily blow up a deal without intervention, can be handled quite readily by a competent Realtor. And I just happen to know someone!




Condominium or Co-op? What's the difference, and which is best for you?

You may not have ever known there was a difference, or even cared, for that matter.  However, if you are about to embark on a purchase of a condo,  you have probably  seen a co-op or two in your search. It's certainly an appropriate  time that you know and understand  the difference.

Both condominiums and co-operatives are considered Common Interest developments (CID's) The terms 'co-op' and 'cooperative,' are short for 'cooperative housing project.' Cooperatives are fairly common in New York and are found more in the Northeast than in any other part of the country. There are only a handful of co-operatives in Fairfield County, so if and when you run across one, you  should be quite clear on the differences, so when given the choice, you can make the best decision

• Condominiums are  individual homes that are owned by the the Unit Owner, with  fee simple title. The Unit Owner also owns an undivided  interest in the common elements, such as hallways, exterior walls, recreational areas and roofs. Each unit has their proportionate share of expenses, called Common Charges, or Common Fees. When you receive your by-laws, there will be a section that lists your particular unit's percentage of the complex. Common fees  vary from complex to complex in monthly charges, and also what is included, so again- check those by-laws to see what exactly is covered by your fees.

• Cooperatives are owned by a Cooperative housing corporation.  I usually refer to ownership in  this way- You are buying shares of stock in a corporation, and rather than getting a dividend payment each month, you get a place to live. The corporation owns the common areas. So you do not OWN the co-op, the corporation does. The upside of co-op ownership? They are typically a lot less expensive than condominiums

• There  are roughly about 3200 co-ops in Fairfield County-  including over 2100 in Bridgeport alone. There are two in Stratford, and Norwalk has one cooperative complex. Stamford also has a number to choose from. Whether  you are in the market for a coop or a condo, your resident expert (That's me!)  is just a phone call, or email away.

 


Great reasons to look at homes in the pouring rain

Did you know that there are great advantages to looking at homes in inclement weather? I have always found the rainy days to assist in being some of the most informative showings. So if the weather outside is less than ideal, don't put off the house-hunt for that day. Here are some great advantages to looking at homes in the rain!

• When it's daylight and the sun isn't out, you will get to see the amount of natural light that exists in the home.

• You get to see for yourself how the well the gutters and downspouts are working, and whether or not some adjustments need to be made for drainage and run-off

•  If there are any hidden or masked odors in the home, the dampness from the rain will bring them out.

• and most importantly, you can check the basement for any water seepage.

The way I look at it-  is if  the house looks good in the pouring rain, it will look GREAT in the sunshine!   So if you are in the market to buy a home, get your umbrella,  forget about what Mother Nature is doing outside, and call me! Rain or shine,  I'm happy to help!