Don't misunderstand me! I come from a sales background, and I believe that honest sales is a noble, useful and necessary profession.
Having said that, buying or selling a home is one of the most complex transactions that most individuals get involved with. It's not comparable to a barker selling the latest slice-and-dice kitchen tool at a fair.
What we as REALTORS do, is consistently more than selling. In fact, "selling" houses sounds manipulative, and may be one of the reasons that real estate agents are regarded with some wariness by buyers, who may feel that they have to keep their guards up to prevent being taken advantage of.
What I do for buyers is help them analyze their needs, help them find the right home, help them negotiate the best possible terms for their particular situation, and guide them through the complex purchasing process in a safe and ethical manner.
What I do for sellers is offer a customized, multi-faceted marketing program that includes internet exposure on multiple websites, blogging, networking with other REALTORS, signs, print exposure, newsletters, a 24-hour toll free hotline, and other marketing tools that fit the particular home and the sellers' situation - plus experienced analysis of any and all offers that come in, and the benefit of my thirty years of negotiating experience to obtain the best possible price and terms.
Is salesmanship part of my arsenal? YOU BET IT IS.
But salesmanship isn't the only element. A good agent protects the best interests of his or her client - whether the client is a buyer or a seller. Their negotiating position is kept confidential. Their goals are given the highest priority.
That's why I say that my job is more than "selling".
©BrianSchulman2008
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Brian Schulman offers expert real estate representation for buyers and sellers of homes in Lancaster County, PA. To learn more, visit http://www.FindLancasterHomes.com/ |
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Brian Schulman offers expert real estate representation for buyers and sellers of homes in Lancaster County, PA. To learn more, visit http://www.FindLancasterHomes.com/ |
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nope, nobody sells in this business, we show what the best product is for them and show them how to make a decision. Read my blog, I have one about being a salesperson too! :)
Brian - a really good post!
I believe our job as a Broker is to "facilitate" property trasactions.
Brian,
Great post. You know we really do have to know a lot about a lot. My old carpenter told me once "You don't pay me for what I do...you pay me for what I know." He was so right.
Jennifer, I looked through your blogs but could not find the one your were referring to. It would be useful for you to have put in a link. Thanks for your comment.
Stewart, to "facilitate" literally means to make a process easier for the principals involved. That's certainly a big part of what we do.
Trey, your carpenter's comment reminds me of the story of a master mechanic who was called to a factory to fix the main conveyor mechanism, which had stopped the entire plant's production. He walked around the big machine, kicked it, and it started right up again.
He then handed the pland manager a bill for $2,010. The manager was pleased with the results but dumbfounded by the bill. "$2,010 for just one kick? That's ridiculous!"
The mechanic replied, "I only charged you $10 for the kick. The $2,000 was for knowing WHERE to kick."
Brian - did you see my BLOG?
http://activerain.com/blogsview/518450/-You-don-t
Stewart - yes, I did see your blog - it has the same moral as my mechanic story!
Brian..you are really on a roll this week! That was a really good, on point blog!
Thank you, Joan! I'll step down off my soap box now... ;o)
Brian - Fantastic post that is articulated concisely and accurately. Well done! Have a wonderful Holiday Weekend!!
Jason, thanks for the kind words. You have a great holiday weekend, too, and behave yourself at those barbecues!