What makes a good estate agent?

MortgageMamma

long term business success is built on client satisfaction and gaining (and keeping) a good reputation. Unless you ask customers what they want you are hard pressed to give it to them. we have just started sending out customer satisfaction surveys and whilst most peeps are happy, we do get quite a few saying regular contact would have been appreciated. Part of me wishes estate agents were regulated as tightly as mortgage brokers, after all they can do equal amounts of damage to someones finances if they get it all wrong.

Jorgan_2

MortgageMamma wrote: »

the EA I work in seems very relaxed, half the time they don't even qualifiy the buyers financial position before presenting to vendors - I've done my research with local firms, now I'm trying with the public (although to some extend MSE'rs are a different breed as more savvy).

This is fairly common within the industry. I prefer to work on the basis of qualifying buyers at the viewing stage, that way I can spend time with the quality buyers. One of our other offices sounds very similar to the one you work in.

MortgageMamma

to me, where I am working now it seems like the buyers are running rings about the negotiators - and for me as a mortgage adviser thats not good, as it means they are not putting enough through for me to deal with, and that we are losing houses left right and centre because the negs are too NEGligent to qualify (or let me) the buyers properly.

Before I worked at this estate agent I had my own mortgage brokerage which was run like a tight ship and I can feel myself getting more and more wound up with how slack it is in the EA's!!

Sorry for the rant great to come across someone who knows the ropes

Ephemera

A shotgun and close range? :D:D

I jest, there are some good ones out there... before I get flamed!! :rotfl:

Mozette

I used a local independent agent who knew the area, charged a fixed fee, and he was an absolute diamond. Totally went the extra mile for me, and I could talk to him, he wasn't some oily git. Wouldn't dream of using anyone else in future and the cost would be fairly immaterial; I wouldn't go elsewhere at half what mine charged.
I know EAs get some bad press, but like everyone, there's good and there's bad; I was lucky.

MortgageMamma

care to name and acclaim? I always like positive feedback like that

Mozette

With pleasure! Clive Tanner in Birmingham. Smashing bloke, and Mike his son, dealt with them both, can't thank them enough.

Generali

The EA I used to sell my house a few years back had a person whose job was to move the sale through from offer to completion. She was hopeless but it was a good idea IMO.

From the EA's point of view, fewer sales failing = more money coming in and less time spent by sales staff ferrying messages. From the buyers' and sellers' point of view it means 1 point of contact that isn't out (most of the time) when you call.

JoJoArmani

1st EA - over valued house - I was stupid and chose them. The sent viewers who were not suitable (funny house layout) therefore wasting everyones time - eventually they did brief all prospective viewers before arranging the appt. Think I got feedback once - got no marketing reports - got no "ideas" on marketing other than reducing the price ( I expected them to try and sell the house by making the marketing material more interesting etc - perhaps this is wrong?).

They were awful. Told me about their mortgage advisor - who was free. Went to see her. Waste of time - she charged a fee to provide mortgage illustrations - not my idea of free. She was supposed to get back to me after asking her boss if she could waive the fee - never heard from her again...

When ever I see their sale board I know exactly what that poor vendor is going through with them numpties.

2nd EA I got to know from viewing properties with them. They have been ok. Regular feedback. One marketing report in 6 months - bit rubbish. Got a nice leaflet from them last week with easter bunnies and a note to say someone fromt he sales dept would contact me in 7 days... that was last week and no call... God knows what the mysterious bunny leaflet ment! But - they have always returned my calls - might take a while - but they always do.

Hope this helps!

p.s r u based for work in lancs - just out of interest....?

moneyman77

A good real estate agent is someone who will provide you good service, answer your calls and emails quickly and truthfully.

Honesty is important too. Even if they tell you things you dont want to hear they have the experience and understand the business.