In these times, double down — on your skills, on your knowledge, on you. Join us Aug. 8-10 at Inman Connect Las Vegas to lean into the shift and learn from the best. Get your ticket now for the best price.

This post was updated Aug. 1, 2023.

Are you receiving Inman’s Agent EdgeMake sure you’re subscribed here.

To be successful in real estate, you must have trust and mutual respect to have a durable relationship with your clients. A lot of real estate is word of mouth, and keeping your clients satisfied will make your job more enjoyable. Plus, it opens the door for sending more referrals, helping you build your business along the way.

Aggravating mistakes end up costing you clients, time and money — with the largest expense being your reputation.

No matter your experience in real estate, there are many pet peeves to avoid with clients off the bat to ensure a long-lasting relationship and distinguish yourself from other agents in the game.

Steer clear of these five mistakes to avoid irritating your clients and hurting your business in the long run.

1. Being tardy

Nothing is more frustrating than having to wait around for someone when you made sure to be on time. Avoiding being tardy is crucial to maintaining your reputation as an agent. We all are busy in our day-to-day lives, but making sure you are being respectful of everyone’s time will keep your clients happy.

Advertisement

4. Sloppy attire or presentation

In real estate, like any other business, our image is projected through our appearance. For new clients especially, first impressions really do matter.

Our clients trust us to represent them, and that means we should act professionally and look put together every day. Our appearance reflects our reputation, and we always want to ensure we are delivering ourselves in a way that aligns with what we are trying to sell.

5. Showing up unannounced

Clients all have busy lives, and nothing is more infuriating than a short-notice showing. Clients typically need time to make sure the house is tidy and that all pets and children are out of the home for a showing.

Showing up unannounced or asking for a showing on a quick turnaround adds even more stress to your clients during an already hectic time. A good rule of thumb is to give clients at least a day’s notice before bringing prospective buyers to the house.

Real estate is a people business, and agents are the glue that holds the transaction together. Regardless of what is going on in our daily lives, it’s important that we remain reliable and supportive of our clients who trust us. It’s essential to make sure our clients have the best experience possible and create a long-lasting impression that will differentiate us from competitors.

Santiago Arana is a managing partner at The Agency in Los Angeles. Connect with him on Instagram.

new agent
Show Comments Hide Comments
Sign up for Inman’s Morning Headlines
What you need to know to start your day with all the latest industry developments
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Inman.
Success!
Thank you for subscribing to Morning Headlines.
Back to top
Only 3 days left to register for Inman Connect Las Vegas before prices go up! Don't miss the premier event for real estate pros.Register Now ×
Limited Time Offer: Get 1 year of Inman Select for $199SUBSCRIBE×
Log in
If you created your account with Google or Facebook
Don't have an account?
Forgot your password?
No Problem

Simply enter the email address you used to create your account and click "Reset Password". You will receive additional instructions via email.

Forgot your username? If so please contact customer support at (510) 658-9252

Password Reset Confirmation

Password Reset Instructions have been sent to

Subscribe to The Weekender
Get the week's leading headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Top headlines from around the real estate industry. Breaking news as it happens.
15 stories covering tech, special reports, video and opinion.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
It looks like you’re already a Select Member!
To subscribe to exclusive newsletters, visit your email preferences in the account settings.
Up-to-the-minute news and interviews in your inbox, ticket discounts for Inman events and more
1-Step CheckoutPay with a credit card
By continuing, you agree to Inman’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You will be charged . Your subscription will automatically renew for on . For more details on our payment terms and how to cancel, click here.

Interested in a group subscription?
Finish setting up your subscription
×