U.S. News & World Report dug into the role of a Realtor recently checking in with LCT Team leader Lisa Culp Taylor and you might be surprised what’s needed to make a home sale go smoothly and what a Realtor really does.
Before we dig into the role of the Realtor, be sure you stop by for our fun series on Realtor life we shared via our YouTube shorts here. Hit the button to subscribe for the latest including home tours!
Why Is A Realtor Necessary?
You know we are going to answer yes to the question is a Realtor necessary. If you are considering your options, take a look at some of our reasons to help you make a decision.
One of the edicts which drives the LCT Team is a commitment to delivering success to each client by leveraging real estate resources with a creative and tenacious spirit. But, how does this play out in a day-to-day role?
There are a lot of things real estate agents do besides push paperwork according to the article you can find here. It goes on to share, “buying or selling real estate is a complicated process and often people get overwhelmed and need help that might not technically be in the job description.”
There are so many hats to be worn by a dedicated Realtor says Lisa Culp Taylor.
“As a real estate professional with over two decades of experience, I advise clients on everything related to real estate but have also found myself being a bit of a financial advisor, marriage counselor, psychologist, interior decorator, remodeler, assistant, babysitter and mind reader,” she said. “My primary function is to provide the highest level of service to my clients, which is how each of those roles factor into being a Realtor,” she adds.
LCT Team Realtor Vickie Freas says it can be a roller coaster but very gratifying helping people with a major life change.
“My job requires a 24/7, always on call mentality. Life doesn’t happen on set days and times and moving, selling or buying a house is a huge undertaking for anyone. I am always available to talk. My job is like a roller coaster ride with ups and downs, turns and spins, but, it’s great helping meet the needs of people,” Vickie said.
The writer of the article also poised these questions. What is most demanding and do you find you have to help clients emotionally as well as transactionally? For a full-service real estate office, the answer is yes and here’s why.
It is just as important to be there emotionally for your client as it is in representing their financial interests explains Lisa.
“Many clients can be struggling with buying/selling for a variety of reasons. Being understanding, compassionate and attentive to their needs is critical for a smooth transaction. This can frequently be the most challenging part of the job because you have to be available for those clients when they need you. There are no set hours for a Realtor. You can establish your own set of guidelines on the hours you want to work. However, there will always be clients that have situations that do not fall within those timelines. Buying and selling can be incredibly difficult for some clients and part of your job is to make the process as easy as possible for them,” she said.
It can also be a difficult part of a Realtor’s job when someone’s price range doesn’t match expectations says Vickie. Be sure you check out our previous blog on how to price your home to sell.
“If someone’s price range doesn’t match expectations, there can be a lot of frustration. Moving is a huge task and very disruptive to the lives involved. Emotional support is important and can be overwhelming. This is important and why you answer the phone after hours and go the extra mile to ensure a smooth process,” Vickie said.
Do You Have To Have A Realtor?
There are no laws against buying or selling your own home or property, says Lisa, but using a Realtor can have a very different outcome.
“I do believe most people buying property without a Realtor always feel that they can immediately reduce the price of the home by the buyers’ agent commission; however, if working with an agent that is providing comparable market information, they may have been able to negotiate additional money, better terms and/or more repairs at the time of inspection. When owners are selling their own home, this can frequently result in a contentious experience as an owner has more emotional investment in the home,” Lisa explained. “Oftentimes, owners will overprice or underprice their home because they either believe it is better than the competition or that it is worse because they have been living with the home and know the items they want to improve. A Realtor is able to give an unbiased opinion, help prioritize updates and repairs, provide accurate pricing and data regarding the current market conditions and comparable pricing. This often results in higher sales prices with less repairs or updates made to the home.”
Would You Represent Yourself As A Realtor?
Finally, the interview asked would you represent yourself or use a licensed agent? “Absolutely, I would always chose a licensed agent,” says Lisa!
“I have actually represented other agents when it comes to selling their own home and would consider listing my home with a different licensed agent for the very reasons I mentioned above. An impartial professional can have a huge impact,” Lisa said.
Vickie agrees. “Ultimately, removing the emotion from the process and using a professional, unbiased party can the experience much easier mentally, emotionally and reap greater financial rewards,” she said.
Thinking Of Buying Or Selling?
If a move is in your future, we’d love to help you evaluate your home buying and selling options. Consistently earning top real estate team for Parks Realty, 2023 Wall Street Journal RealTrends #1 in Tennessee for Medium Team – Volume – as well as #20 in the nation, the LCT Team – Parks is known for commitment, professionalism and attention-to-detail. We go above and beyond to help buying and selling clients with an expansive real estate network and proven sales and marketing formula so reach out today at 615-595-5883. Stay up-to-date on the latest via Instagram, Facebook and subscribe to the real estate and community news here.
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