How Are Your Realtor’s Listening Skills?

Is Your Realtor Listening to You?

It was brought to my attention recently that one of the most important things to a consumer is their realtor’s listening skills. And as a consumer myself, I very much agree with the lovely person that mentioned it. Like all professionals, not all Realtors are created equal. Some are more talented in one area than in others. Some have the gift of gab. That is great if you need to carry the conversation. If listening doesn’t come naturally though, I think it is a skill all realtors should practice. I think it’s important not to just ask folks what is important to them when it comes to buying or selling a home, but to really listen to their answers.

 

I’m Paying Attention to You.

I try hard to pay attention to what my clients have to say. A realtor’s listening skills are super-important! They will be the ones living in the home they choose or still living in the home they are selling. I have learned over the years to listen better. Any man that has a good marriage has learned that, for sure! Before I became a Realtor, I was a carpenter and designer. It’s always been important for me to listen to what folks wanted in their home or how they wanted it to look. They would describe their vision and then I would put pencil to paper . . . or rather fingers to computer. So, if I want to be paid for a service I provide, I need to listen.

 

It’s no different in Real Estate. I need to listen to my clients want in a home. If they are looking for a 3-bedroom home on a small lot, then I want to try and come up with a list that meets those needs. They may not appreciate me showing them homes with two bedrooms when they have three kids. I may lose them as a client, and that would be no good. Even worse, I’d lose their trust and they would tell all their friends. It’s kind of hard to pay the mortgage and feed my family if I keep getting fired. Thankfully, that’s not the case. I try very hard to show clients property that fits the criteria they discuss early on.

 

Your Realtor’s Listening Skills Build Trust

I’m thankful that folks hire me because they trust me. They know that I will look out for their best interests. We all need trustworthy professionals, whether it be lawyers, dentists or realtors, to help us from time to time. I will never try to steer a client in the wrong direction.

But, what if you tell me that you would like a 3-bedroom home and your budget is $200,000, but all the three bedroom homes are $210,000? What do you do?

I’m glad you asked. There are a few ways we could approach the situation.

• I could try to get you more financing.
• I could recommend you stay where you are now until you can afford it. (This option might not be good for sales, but I look out for your interests, not mine).
• We could look at the 210k range and offer less money, since it is my job to negotiate on your behalf.
• I could show you homes that are only two bedrooms, because you have to move. However, with the extensive building and design knowledge that I have, I would take you to these homes and see if we could inexpensively turn the two bedrooms into a three bedroom. Then I would recommend a great trustworthy contractor to come and give us a quote on doing the work.

 

Let’s Be Creative Together

I try hard to listen to what you would like. In the end, it just might take some creativity to get there and that is why you hire me. I see what could be there as well as what is there now. We obviously would sit down a talk all about what you would like, and what is reasonable. Then I get on top of it, ASAP. I just want you to know that I listen then I act.

 

There is so much more I could say on this subject, but I’d rather listen to you. Why don’t you give me a call? I want to be the trusted professional you call when you are considering a Real Estate transaction. I represent all types of clients; first time buyers, cottages, farms, condos, leases, recreational, estates, power of sales, etc. If it has land under it I can sell it. AND I WILL LISTEN!