Selecting The Right Agent, Title Company & a Word on Loyalty

In the Treasure Valley area where it seems you can't throw a rock in a semi crowded room without hitting an agent what's really important in locating the right agent for you?

I have some thoughts on this question that I've touched on in the past but I'd like to elaborate on this a bit more. I'll also touch on 2 more topics selecting the right title company and loyalty.

Knowledge - The right agent must not only know the housing market but how to navigate through the contracts of the trade, analyze and present accurate comparables on properties and reveal hidden details usually unknown.

Intention - Agents must put their client's needs first and not their own. Doing what is right for you and your family includes: not pushing you into another price range (known as an up sell) and showing you homes in areas that meet your families needs rather than what the agent likes (commonly known as steering). An agent's intention speaks volumes.

Follow up - Making sure the lines of communication remain open and there is a clear understanding of the client's needs, whether marketing their home or finding a new home for their family.

Achieving Results - There are some agents that present gimmicks and statements in an attempt to gain business. A bit of advice -- all that matters is the end result. Meet the agent and listen to what he or she says. Rather than listening to an agents "I statements" listen for the "We statements." Achieving results are based on forming a partnership and a relationship to meet your needs. Working as a team the lending industry, the title company, you and your agent should all be on the same page to achieve the results needed in finding you the desired home and having it close properly.

We have had many clients say how fast can you get my home sold? An honest agent will tell the truth which is we don't know. We are people just like anyone else. Agents must not set the price; the comparables help set the price. Agents must not indicate a time frame for a home to be sold, especially in today's buyers market. There's simply too much inventory out there. Our efforts will only go a long way if the home is priced properly in a good location and if there's a buyer to purchase it. Finding the buyer is part of our job through actively marketing the home. If an agent says they always sell homes faster than their competition before you decide whether to use them ask to see their marketing plan.

Trustworthy - Select someone you feel comfortable with that will work hard on your behalf. Reading people is important and sometimes it can be very difficult. Remember we, as agents are not all knowing beings. We are human beings, fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, and parents just like you. We don't know it all but we work with you and for you to achieve your end results. How we carry ourselves and how we interact with you and your family helps determine whether or not we earn the much-needed trust we must have in each other.

Customer support - An agent working for you is going to be there when you need them. Taking days to return your calls is simply not acceptable. Find someone that is working for you all the time and that will appoint someone such as a partner or colleague for when they are not available. Someone that keeps you posted even if just to check in and relay information is key. Some agents just don't have the time to really give 100% to their customers. Before making a decision ask the agent what are their phone hours and how they plan on providing you with updates. Is real estate a hobby for them or a career?

Speaking of careers the Treasure Valley has a number of title companies and selecting one to handle your home purchase is of the utmost importance. Title companies often save home purchases. A home is not considered sold until the all paperwork is signed, the lending has funded and the deed has been recorded with the county assessor's office. At any point along the way hundreds of things can and do often go wrong. Having a competent agent is only half the battle. The title company can resolve many problems that are out of the lenders and agent's control. In the Treasure Valley we have several title companies available with wonderful escrow agents and all of them want your business. However, we have found that when push comes to shove there's one escrow agent that has done an outstanding job for us.

On a recently closed home transaction Anne Slayton with LandAmerica Transnation performed magic. The sale came into trouble when a Liz Pendens (Pending Litigation) was filed and did not show up in the preliminary title report. On the day the deed of the home was to record title received a call informing them of this pending litigation.

Lawyers were involved but Anne worked hard to resolve the issue by providing the proper paperwork, making the follow up calls and keeping all the agents and clients informed along the way. It was incredible for we thought for sure this particular sale would fall through leaving our homeowners back at square one. Anne's loyalty and dedication to her job and her clients, along with her expertise in handling these tricky situations came through for us all. I'm happy to say that our clients are now living in their new home.

Another topic of importance is the loyalty developed between the customer and the agent. Sometimes customers are persuaded to leave their current agent for another. (See blog post called "The Real Estate Signage Game"). Agents often encounter this after putting in many hours of research, touring, negotiating, marketing, holding open homes and more where the customer cancels the listing, changes agents or even vanishes without a trace. It's a relationship that demands patience, determination, understanding and loyalty.

In an ideal world the bond between a client and his or her agent would be unbreakable. An example of this bond would be when I met one of Tami's past clients through my daughter's daycare. I was working at another company and trying to earn her business and referrals. I had no idea that she had used Tami to purchase her current home and established such a strong, loyal relationship with her. She even adopted Tami as her mother. This is how I was first introduced to Tami and decided to develop a partnership with her. We both have the same goals, ideas and values when it comes to how a customer should be treated. We treat them as if they were a part of our own family. All matters are discussed openly and any insecurity is addressed. Selling a home or finding a new one is a very emotional decision and one not taken lightly by us! We want to thank our past clients and future customers for giving us the opportunity to be a part of their lives. We will do the best to make the real estate process as enjoyable as possible, to be honest in our business and to communicate with our clients all along the way and beyond. We ask for your loyalty and referrals in return.