Homebuyers, especially first-time homebuyers, typically have many questions due to a lack of experience and knowledge of the buying process.
They have certain expectations from their realtors, ranging from simple to elaborate ones, depending on the client.
Today, we will discuss what homebuyers expect from realtors to give you a better understanding of how to prepare yourself as a real estate professional.
What Homebuyers Expect from Realtors
The following things are what homebuyers expect from realtors, and you should ensure that you always meet these expectations for a successful career.
Honesty
Honesty is the number one trait that homebuyers expect from their realtor. They trust that you are honest in your dealings and will provide full disclosure when it comes to real estate matters. Due to this reason, full disclosure is a key part of the code of ethics and standards of practice in real estate.
As a professional, you need to be honest and earn the client’s trust. If needed, you should have a list of past clients that your new clients can refer to regarding your honest nature and full disclosure practices.
Generally, always give an honest professional opinion and be the first to point out actual red flags of a property instead of expecting the client to discover them. If clients have to work for full disclosure, they will quickly stop trusting you.
Availability
One perk of being a real estate professional is that you have flexibility in your work schedule. However, this comes at a cost. Homebuyers expect you to be available all the time, especially if there is a showing or open house at an odd time.
Most homebuyers are new families or families that have outgrown their current homes, both of which have scheduling limitations. They expect you to accommodate their schedules, which is something you should always try to do.
Open Communication
Buying a home is a very serious, once-in-a-lifetime experience for most clients, and they expect you to be open for communications at all times. You don’t have to be available to them all the time. However, you have to acknowledge their communications frequently.
Whether it is a phone call, text, or email, you need to respond within a few hours, if not immediately. If you require time to resolve their problems or answer their queries, be honest about it and give them a realistic timeframe in which you can deliver.
However, avoiding communications and expecting them to “understand” is not good for business. Moreover, you should keep them updated actively with listings that match their requirements and on any developments regarding the homes they show interest in.
A good rule of thumb is to engage homebuyers every few days if they do not maintain much contact.
Professionalism
It should not be surprising that homebuyers expect the utmost professionalism from their realtors. As a real estate professional, you probably dislike clients who do not respect your time. Similarly, homebuyers expect you to respect their time as well.
Demonstrate your professionalism by always being there on time for showings, meetings, etc., even if the client isn’t. They will note your professionalism and reciprocate. A simple way to harness professionalism is to treat homebuyers the way you expect to be treated yourself, i.e., with respect.
Proven and Successful Track Record
This is the biggest challenge that fresh realtors have at the start of their careers because homebuyers expect to experience from their realtors. Not just real estate experience but a proven track record of closing successful real estate deals.
Keep track of your past deals and do not hesitate to show your potential clients your record of successful deals and the extent of your experience.
Market Knowledge
Homebuyers expect their realtors to know everything there is to know about their market. Real estate markets can vary substantially from neighborhood to neighborhood, and clients expect you to have a full understanding of each.
They expect you to provide them the correct details like local rules, regulations, documentation requirements, quirks, and features of any type of property in their preferred markets. Moreover, they expect you will have enough market knowledge to provide them with a realistic and accurate offer to make for a potential property.
Negotiation Skills
Homebuyers want a strong negotiator on their side who knows how to talk their way into a better deal. They expect their realtors to be able to negotiate the best possible deal at the best possible price. At the same time, they expect you to be composed enough to not repel the seller to other potential buyers.
While there are many sources to learn negotiation skills from, practice and experience are some of the best teachers for real estate professionals.
Use of Technologies
When it comes to progress and change, technology is a defining factor. Homebuyers expect you to be in line with the latest and greatest in real estate technology. This technology includes tools, software, and applications that make real estate processes easier.
Signing tools can digitally take signatures from the client without them needing to be present, saving valuable time. You can utilize MLS software to get crucial details about real estate properties quickly.
Even a real estate assistance program like OktoHub is important because it ensures that you will have a trusted real estate professional to take over your task in case you are preoccupied for any reason.
OktoHub is the first-ever real estate assistance program that allows you to create a network of trusted real estate professionals around you and hire them for task-based jobs. You only pay for the tasks you require, like home inspections, showings, meetings, etc., which means there is no need for a permanent hire.
Real Estate Connections
Homebuyers expect you to have quality connections in the real estate industry. They expect you to refer professionals when needed and acquire their services or expertise if required. They want you to have a strong network of real estate professionals at your disposal.
OktoHub can also help you in this aspect because it allows you to create a solid network of trusted real estate professionals around you. You can contact and consult them any time you require their expertise or hire them for any real estate assistance you need.
Again, you only pay for the individual tasks, and there is no need to hire them permanently.
Conclusion
Home-buying is a sensitive, emotional, and often overwhelming process for most homebuyers, especially first-time homebuyers. While they expect all the mentioned things from their realtors, they may even expect more.
Your job is to meet their expectations and deliver what is required with utmost integrity and professionalism. It is also good for your real estate business to go beyond their expectations and deliver patience, persistence, and dedication.
Of course, help is always there in the form of OktoHub, and you can create a more comfortable and successful real estate career for yourself by using its services.
If you want to learn more about what homebuyers expect from realtors or about OktoHub and its various benefits, please visit our website today.
