With a seemingly endless amount of people claiming to be “the world’s best real estate broker”, the importance of distinguishing the good from the bad is more pertinent than ever. Generally, clients should expect a lot from whichever broker they decide to work with. It’s not an easy job, but if someone isn’t up to your standards, don’t hesitate to end the relationship and move onto someone else. Brokers are often representing people in the largest financial deal of their lives, anything below satisfactory won’t suffice.
Overall, someone looking for a broker should immediately consider his or her trustworthiness and professional reputation. The guidelines may sound simple and brief, but their importance can’t be overstated. Most real estate deals involve representatives on both sides and a negative reputation among peers could be detrimental to a successful agreement – word travels fast and nobody wants to deal with a broker known for the wrong things.
From the beginning of every relationship, clients can expect me to be persistent, dedicated, knowledgeable and fully aware of relevant market trends. I also believe it’s extremely important to get on the same page and make sure my goals and values align with those of my client. I aim to have long-term clients and establishing a solid rapport from the early stages serves as a positive for both of us.
Once a client is committed to working with me, the communication never stops. Great brokers are always talking to their clients and reporting anything they’re seeing on the market. Real estate is based around communication – more usually equals better. In addition to regular updates, if I’m representing a seller I am constantly marketing the property. Very rarely will a space sell with minimal work. Consistent marketing is the best way for a broker to help his client.
There will always be good and bad real estate brokers. It may be hard for clients to distinguish between the two initially, but over time the gap becomes increasingly evident. I strongly encourage clients to consider professionalism, trustworthiness and communication when making a selection and if they aren’t happy, don’t be afraid to make a change.
