The Most Important Quality in a Listing Agent

The Most Important Quality in a Listing Agent

This weekend I met with a family member of a past client.   Referrals from folks who have seen me in action are the best.  And even better is the fact that the referring past client used to hold a real estate license.  This past client knows what's involved in getting a home under contract and then to closing.  It's no small task.  So the ground work laid before I ever spoke with the home seller was strong.

My former client let me know that her family member Sarah, was also talking with an agent very much pushing the "local expert" line.  I do the same thing in my neighborhood, but I have an extensive sales record to back it up.  It turns out, that was not the biggest strength the local expert was pushing.  That agent was pushing that she had local contractor contacts.  Jane was beside herself.  She had heard tons of great things about how I work and what a great agent I am, but she was ultra concerned that I would not have local contractor contacts.  She kept fretting, "The other agent is a local expert."

During our appointment, Sarah was telling me all the things that the local expert was telling her to do prior to listing.  Some of the suggestions were downright odd.   "Make sure you get paintable switchplate covers.  No one wants a house where the switchplate covers aren't the same color as the wall."  WHAT?  Isn't a white switchplate cover easier to wipe off?  And it goes with white trim and happens to be the norm in the area.  Local expert was also suggesting very stylized lighting fixtures, that may not be plain enough to appeal to a broad range of buyers.  She was also suggesting the darkest hardwood flooring Jane could find to replace the well worn floors.  Great idea in a big open floor plan.  Not so much in a very compartmentalized home where that will make the space feel even smaller.  Had this local expert ever sold a home?

When I finally asked Sarah, a day later, who the other agent was, she wouldn't tell me.  I knew her first name so I Googled her first name, the name of the community and listing agent.  Nothing.  Was I being unreasonable to think the local expert should be showing up as such online?  After all, there's a lot more to being a local expert than having contractor connections.  In this day and age, with resources like Angie's List, it's easy to find a great contractor, or four!   So I Googled myself, Holly Hurd put in the name of my community (Northville) and listing agent.  BAM!  Results one, two, three four and so on.  So this agent had no online presence.  Not a great marketing tactic in this day and age.

With the first name only, I ran a year's worth of sales in the neighborhood and sorted them by the first name of the listing agents.  There was one sale by this expert.  That was it. Well, that explains a lot.  In total, her sales history is in many different places, making her no more an expert than me.  

Sarah is about to hire a local expert with no online presence, giving her advice on prep work that is an absolute waste of money and sporting one sale in the neighborhood.  Hey!  Local expert's got the local contractor angle handled though.  Not sure you should make your sole hiring criteria based on the contractor someone knows.  It's never been why I've been hired.  I've been hired because I market extensively online, I know the contract inside and out, I am a fierce negotiator and I don't have appraisal problems on my listing sales.  That's not to say I can't recommend, or find contractors for you.  I can.  And when I do, I can help you negotiate the lowest rates you can get.  Finding resources and negotiating is what I do and why I keep getting referred by past clients. 

Odds are, I won't win Sarah over.  Her mind seems made up and that's fine.  I truly wish her the best.  However, if you are looking for a fantastic real estate agent from Northville, Mi.  to Novi, Mi. and beyond, give me a call.  I'm happy to let you know what exactly I will do to sell your home.  If you need help finding contractors, I'll help you with that too.

Holly Hurd ~ Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices HWWB, REALTORS....... your source for all your real estate. We are one of the Largest brokerage firms in Michigan, we have proven we can stand the test of time in this ever changing market place a proven leader for you and all your real estate needs. In today's competitive real estate market, timing is everything. Many good homes are sold before they are ever advertised. Beat other homebuyers to the hottest new homes for sale in the Wayne/Oakland co. area with my New Listings Notification. If you own real estate that you're thinking of selling, I would be happy to provide you with a FREE Home Evaluation. Whether you are buying or selling a home, hire someone like me, who wants to earn your business. I invite you to contact me as I'd be happy to assist you with this important transaction. In addition, if you have any general questions about buying or selling real estate in Michigan, please contact me as I'm more than willing to help.YOU CAN REACH ME DIRECT BY PHONE ANYTIME AT 734 718-5736 #YourHomeNorthvilleMichigan Real Estate Homes for sale in Northville Michigan Northville, Mi. 48167 #realtor #realestate #realestatemarket#realestateforsalemi #hometown #hollyhurd #home#homesforsale #historicnorthville #buy #buyingahome#buildingahome #buyrealestate #condo #northvillemi#sellyourhome #sellingyourhome #smalltown #shop #bhhs#berkshirehathaway #moveinmichigan #greattimetobuy#puremichigan #SOLD