RegisterMyClient.com Makes Community Preference No Issue for REALTORS
Author: FredArnett Total views: 8 Word Count: 1009
I remember fondly times that were simpler. Okay, I'm exaggerating. I'm not that old. But I have seen a massive amount of change during my time in the real estate market. We all have; whether we're "IN" the real estate market or just accessing it for our housing needs. We've all noticed the variety of changes in the last decade when it comes to the pricing of new homes. But the dollar amount spent per square foot isn't the only thing that is different than it was just a few years ago. It used to be that I'd come across a new client and the first question after identifying them as a buyer rather than a seller would be, "Are you looking for a resale home or a new home?" Years ago this may have been where the story ended if the answer was "new home."There were times when there weren't that many options open to the buyer looking to build a new home in the Valley.
The client looking for a new home has endless options that often lead to a total and utter lack of decision that can be very frustrating for the real estate agent. The Valley is filled with builders with inventory that they'd love to sell. We, as real estate agents, would love to lead our buyers to the perfect new home. And the buyers, however indecisive, really do want to find the home that suits their needs. So first we attempt to create a clear definition of what it is they are looking for, which is easier said than done, but the attempt is necessary. What location do they prefer? Where do they work? How often do they commute? Do they frequent any specific area socially or for school/family obligations? Some clients will walk through the door with these answers, but some will just start looking without considering these big questions. Make them consider them.
Once you've encouraged your client to designate a specific (or general, whatever you can get) location, I suggest asking if they have a builder preference. Many consumers are more aware than they realize when it comes to the variety of available builders in the Valley and their basic building philosophies. Give them a chance to realize it and they might give you a couple names that they'd prefer to work with, but no matter if they give you specific builder names or not you move on to the next step which is designating their minimum housing requirements. How much square footage do they require? How many bedrooms/bathrooms? What type of landscaping? How involved would they like their HOA to be? And any other questions that may apply to your client's new home purchase.
One benefit of looking to purchase a new home in today's market is the plethora of inventory specials and promotions that buyers can take advantage of when it comes to new homes. It's your job, as the real estate agent, to make sure they're very aware of all the opportunities to get the most for their money. But don't push a good deal on them that doesn't fulfill their housing requirements. It will not end well. Know which builders are offering fabulous standard options and which builders are offering financing specials and which builders have the most resident friendly home owners' associations, etc.
In addition to knowing all there is to know about the housing each builder provides, you need to know all there is to know about the communities each builder creates. Some are luxurious, others are family oriented, others still cater to an urban lifestyle, others still cater to the retired or semi-retired. Know all these defining characteristics so you don't look silly when you make suggestions to your clients.
For example you might have a client looking for a low/no maintenance property with easy access to the urban areas and private community fine dining in addition to the resident accessible spa and clubhouse. The next client might be expecting to have access to a low HOA fee, multi-purpose greenbelts and a highly rated elementary school within the residential community boundaries. Know exactly what their perfect community is and you'll have a chance of finding it for them!
Then there are those nightmare clients who just don't have any idea what they want. They think they're making things easy by saying they're not limiting themselves to any geographical area and their housing requirements aren't set in stone, but what they're really doing is giving you no basis upon which to build your decisions when suggesting available properties. These are often the laid back, no big deal, whatever happens...happens clients that end up wandering into a new home sales office on their own on a whim. These are the clients that inadvertently cause you to lose your commission after you've spent countless hours working with them in their search for a new home. So what do you do about these clients? I've got two suggestions. First, you can always refuse to work with them. You can recognize them easily enough when they wander into your office. They've got no idea what they're looking for and no desire to pinpoint any specifics. Or second, you could take advantage of the newly released RegisterMyClient.com service. Registering your clients at RegisterMyClient.com avoids any possibility that your client could wander off without you and throw your commission out the window and it only takes two minutes. It's a no brainer that someone should have introduced to the real estate industry years ago!
If I had access to this type of system years ago I'd be a richer man today. But I try not to think about it; lost commissions in years past are just that...in the past! But thanks to RegisterMyClient.com I no longer have to awake from nightmares of clients visiting new home communities without me. RegisterMyClient.com protects me from fly by the seat of their pants clients and the traditional "agents must accompany their client on the first visit" rule traditional in the new home building industry.
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About the Author
Meet the President and co-founder of RegisterMyClient.com, Fred Arnett. The buzz regarding the newly released online, interactive database bridging the distance between agents and builders is extraordinary. Visit RegisterMyClient.com to check out the agent portal or discover the builder's site at RMC!
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