This section essentially serves to sum up the entire real estate buying and selling process with me. To me value is added in 3 ways:
- Can you make your clients money?
- Can you save you clients money?
- Can you make the process easier and as stress free as possible?
Here are my answers to each:
Can you make your clients money?
This occurs mostly on the sale side. The higher your sale price, the more money you’ll make. And to get that higher price we’ll start by going through the entire staging process until your house is ready to list. We’ll get buyers in by having an amazing listing with great pictures and tour that show off the space and make it inviting for people and agents to some see. We’ll list all of the features and upgrades of the home in a sharp 4-page feature sheet. And I’ll negotiate the highest sale price possible for you as a result.
When we meet in person for the first time, I’ll show you actual feature sheets that I’ve used in the past and show you results with comparable sales. Staging works as does having someone who is experienced in negotiation.
On the buy side, I can certainly help make clients money by discussing renovations that can be done to a home and recommending skilled trades and contractors that my clients can contact should they wish. Even if you’re not flipping a home, you’ll make money down the line when you eventually sell and, in the meantime, get to live in an amazing home.
Can you save your clients money?
This comes in many different forms. On the buy side, helping to guide your clients to the right house and pointing out ways that you can find value and negotiate a good deal for them. Trying to get answers regarding the Sellers situation to potentially use that information for your clients benefit.
Referring trades and contractors that you know will do a good job at a fair price.
Take a look at the Commission section to view another very important way to save my clients money. And remember that HST is paid by sellers in addition to the commission charge so those savings are magnified against paying a higher rate.
Recommending things people should not do to their home when selling can also lead to a tremendous amount of savings. There is no need to spend excess money that is not going to lead to value. I only recommend actions that will bring an increased price to the sale over and above what is spent.
Can you make the process easier and as stress free as possible?
This one can be just as important as the two above it. Real Estate transactions can be incredibly stressful and it’s up to the Real Estate Agent to minimize that stress for his or her clients. Whether it is explaining things that arise, answering questions and concerns or simply keeping their clients informed at all times, Agents have the ability to relieve stress from their clients.
One of the things I aim to do at all times is to never apply any pressure whatsoever to people I work with. When I meet with a potential seller for the first time, I leave them with a “Plain English” Listing Agreement. This is the same Listing Agreement that they will have to sign when they list their home, but above every paragraph is an explanation of that paragraph in “Plain English”. I tell them to read it carefully and if anything is unclear to ask me about it. I want my clients to know and understand what they are signing. I don’t want them to sign a contract with me the day that we meet and I encourage them to meet with other agents. I don’t just want to get the business, I want to get the business knowing that my clients interviewed a few other agents and thought I was the best fit for what they were looking for. If they find another agent they think is better than me I thank them for their time and wish them all the best. This business can be very cutthroat but I don’t look at it that way. I’m not in business to get the most deals, but I am in business to have a good transaction with everyone I work with. That means far more to me than doing a few extra deals every year.
I ask that my sellers sign for 60 days which is the minimum number of days needed to put your home on MLS. I don’t want sellers locked into a long contract as that isn’t in their best interests.
I encourage my clients to setup a Whatsapp group (assuming that there is more than one client) with me so that I can keep everyone abreast of what’s going on.
I speak to my clients about the things I will do from a negotiation standpoint in order to get them the best price and terms that I can get them. And while I won’t reveal any of those negotiation tactics here, I am happy to do so when I meet with potential clients.
You can view what some of my actual clients have said about me on my Testimonials Page by clicking on the Testimonials page under the About me section or by clicking here (link to testimonials page).