An estate agent usually works under a real estate firm or a designated broker and the term ‘agent’ strictly defines the relationship between the buyers/seller and the estate agent. So, when you hire an estate agent or when you are looking for Buckingham letting agents, they will be the authorised personnel who represent your interests. The work of an estate agent involves assisting buyers and sellers in the process of buying, selling and renting properties.
But in order to build a promising career as an estate agent, you need some smart approaches towards your buyer. We have gathered some of the most important tips that will pay you off in the long term.
Create a perfect balance between professionalism and friendliness
Buyers usually prefer estate agents who are friendly and can provide them with useful advice. However, unprofessional estate agents are highly unlikely to crack a deal with any buyer. So one needs to be careful while working as an estate agent and cultivate impeccable communication skills. Remember that clarity and communication is crucial in this job.
Speak from your experience and back them up with your knowledge
An estate agent learns heaps and bounds from experience and he or she is not simply a mediator but also an advisor. Hence any client would want his or her estate agent to be someone who is trustworthy, reliable, and has sound knowledge of the industry. So how to convince your client that you know the industry?
Provide them with facts about a property that you are pitching in a conversational manner. Talk about various aspects of the property when you are making a pitch. But in order to pull this off without any hiccups, you must be sure of what you are about to say and that will only come to you if you do your research. Read about the market and your buyer will definitely note how much you know about a certain property.
Always be willing to listen
You would be surprised to know how many clients simply look for a different estate agent because the one they hired refused to listen to their needs. Never be in a rush to convince your buyer. Be patient when you sit with them and understand their requirements. Be mindful and suggest alternatives. Provide them with reasons or solutions. If you are dealing with a family, pay extra attention and try to work out the logistics for them. Any family with kids would love to stay near a good school. Families without kids may prefer the outskirts of a city or near their offices. So check whether the property you are about to pitch is in line with their expectations. Even if your client does not like the property, make sure to listen and accordingly.
Suggest alternative choices
Any prospective buyer will be pissed off if you keep pitching the same property over and over again. Once you see that the buyer is not interested in the property in question, suggest alternatives. Never be solely driven by commission.
Provide important tips to the buyer
Many buyers get worried about the money they have to spend when buying a property. They may be uncertain and frustrated- all of which is rooted in inexperience. This is the best time for you to offer help. Talk to them about the Government scheme available for first time home buyers. Help them with paperwork because there is a lot to cover.
Seek recommendations and reviews
After closing a deal with any client, make sure to ask for feedback. If you have a website for your business, you can also ask your clients to leave a review and recommendation.
Be available for your clients
Being available for your clients will ensure that there are no delays or no-shows. There is nothing worse than these and it can seriously affect your reputation as an estate agent. Simple things like punctuality will appeal to your clients more than you realise.
Develop a professional image
Any estate agent should develop and maintain a professional image which is reflected through the following aspects-
- Appearance- dressing professionally for all your meetings that is appropriate for the local market and office.
- Body language- make good eye contact and emulate positive body language.
- Written communication- don’t simply rely on verbal communication. Provide your prospective clients with emails, letters or texts that state the latest course of actions or events.
Bottom Line
Just like any other profession, working as an estate agent has its own challenges. Your pay depends on your sale, your working hours are long and the market is constantly changing. On the other hand, it is a rewarding career in terms of creating a professional image and finance. We hope with this blog, you were able to gain deeper insights into the world of real estate and how to approach buyers smartly.
