Behind the scenes in real estate

This morning at the Coldwell banker office, we started the day with the weekly agents meetings. We discussed the market climate and what marketing strategies are needed to boost agents networking abilities through postcards, mailing lists and joining community groups in order to widen their client base. Visual pictures the Coldwell banker name on marketing publication were felt important for branding.

            Before going on a seller’s house viewing, I worked with Maryann; who was the former manager of the office before becoming an agent. We prepared the documents before the meeting with the client. The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) enables all the properties on the market to be viewed and listed by anyone. This database allowed us to retiree the plot plan; seller’s disclose form (showing how much work has been done on the property) and lead paint disclosure forms, which are needed for properties that were built before 1978. These public records are information the town has gathered. An agent will use these guidelines closely for fine accuracy informational regarding square foot and tax records. 

            I took part in a webinar on safety practices in showing a house and the open house. You should always identify a person and make note of their vehicle registration. The property should never be advertised as vacant and the seller should hide any valuables which maybe on show.

            For the Home Inspection, the house should be inspected to ensure nothing is broken or faulty. The power should be on as well as the water, boiler, hot water, and fireplace. The dog should be caged and access to all areas should be made available by removing all personal items that maybe in the way. Inspections are good for sellers because they can boost their home reputation from a professional home inspector. A buyer can benefit from having any major problems highlighted and fixed which they may not have found.

            The first house we showed around was to a prospective buyer, I got to see how agents market the house to the client and bits of tips they do when they prepare the house for viewing. The following clients we met were to discuss their house that had currently been on the market for a while with 16 viewers but no offers. The advice was to lower the asking price but they were reluctant to as they have sentimental value to their home. This meeting went on for over an hour, with the conversation becoming very heated at times. I feel after seeing this side of the real estate business, it has shown me that it is very time consuming and conflicting when clients would take the advise given.