This post by Rose King was originally published on ActiveRain. Rose is a Realtor with UTR in Texas. You can contact her via her website here.
In the real estate business, we have the opportunity to work with all types of brokers and agents. Most of them are nice, but some are not so. There are a few in my area I really don’t like working with because the experience is usually difficult or just not pleasant.
It’s a shame, because being THE AGENT EVERYONE LIKES TO WORK WITH is really simple. I put together a list of some things all agents could do to make working with other agents a pleasing experience. I’m sure you can think of some other things (feel free to mention them in the comments section). Here is my short list:
- Acknowledge receipt of offers, amendments or any emailed document. Someone took the time to send it to you, so take just a few seconds to let them know you have received it and will get back to them as soon as you can.
- Respond to emails. Simple enough.
- Answer phone calls, return phone calls, reply to text messages. Another simple thing to do.
- If an offer is too low, don’t just ignore it. Respond with some sort of answer from your seller, even if it is just, “We’ll pass on this one.”
- Present a friendly tone in emails and over the phone. Put a smile in your voice. The cooperating agent is not your adversary — you are working TOGETHER for a good outcome for all parties.
- Provide as much information as you can to interested parties without compromising your fiduciary duty to your client. Answer questions honestly.
- Post seller’s disclosure notices online, along with any other documents that are helpful to an agent who wants to show your property or send an offer. (Lead-based paint addendum, mandatory HOA form, municipal utility district form, survey).
- Take the time to look up the schools your listing is zoned to, and put that information in the MLS. Knowing which school the home is zoned to is helpful for an agent looking for homes to show, and to interested buyers who are searching online for homes in a certain district. Don’t be lazy by just entering the name of the school district in the spots that ask for the elementary school, middle school or high school.
- Thank the cooperating broker/agent for a successful transaction after closing. Send an email or a handwritten note. After a successful closing, I once had a cooperating agent send me a certificate for a free cupcake at the local cupcake shop!
These things are not difficult to do, and they will make your transactions a better experience for all parties involved. Just try them, and you’ll be THE AGENT EVERYONE LIKES TO WORK WITH!
