Great Real Estate Agent: Ease of Use

Does Your Real Estate Agent Encompass "Ease of Use"?

As a home buyer or home seller, there are some important key factors to consider when working with a Real Estate Agent   A Real Estate Agent should already be performing based upon the "Ease of Use" philosophy of business.  "Ease of Use" is the degree to which the client achieves peace of mind about and throughout the real estate transaction.  Always interview and investigate a Real Estate Agent before committing to work with them, as this will provide you with a complete look into who they are and what they can provide.  So what does "Ease of Use" involve?

Relevant & Timely Communication
"Ease of Use" must encompass relevant and timely communication. Communication must be relevant, at the frequency at which the client achieves peace of mind, and by a method the client wants. If you want to be called, then the Real Estate Agent shouldn't send an e-mail. If you want to hear from the Real Estate Agent every day, then they should contact you every single day.  As a client, silence, bad communication, and not receiving the form of communication you desire and when you need it all equates to a Real Estate Agent not performing to your expectations and could also show a severe lack of value to you as the client, not to mention could result in delays or lost opportunities.

• Interview Question:  What is your communication style and will you communicate with me based upon my needs and desires?  Do you answer your phone, return phone calls and emails within an hour, do you have an assistant to help when you're not available, and when are you not available by phone or email?

Providing Guidance
"Ease of Use" must encompass guidance. Clients recognize that they need help; otherwise, they wouldn't hire a Real Estate Agent at all. That help then must be authoritative, educated, and capable of being explained. "Because I said so" or "Just trust me" are not good responses to a client who wants to know why the Real Estate Agent is recommending repainting a living room, suggesting that the pets be removed during showings, or even why an offer shouldn't be accepted. The Real Estate Agent should explain the advice so the client clearly understands or should provide a reliable resource to assist in the explanation.

• Interview Question:  Please provide a few examples of how you handle providing guidance during the real estate transaction, and who are the other professionals you will be working with to assist in providing the guidance in preparing, marketing, and closing?

Anticipating Needs
"Ease of Use" must include anticipation of the client's needs and desires. The best client service is proactive, not reactive. The Real Estate Agent should anticipate the client's needs and addresses them, often making recommendations to resolve potential challenges before others realize they exist. In real estate, anticipation can take many forms. 
Examples:

• A home buyer desires a particular school, the Real Estate Agent suggests arranging a visit to that school prior to the home search.
• A Home seller is going on vacation, the Real Estate Agent should inquire as to the level of communication during this time, discuss possible scenarios, and obtain vacation itinerary (complete with addresses, names, etc.).
• Market trends are taking a decisive re-direction, the Real Estate Agent should review these and then provide the client with viable options to adjust for the new market trend.

If the Real Estate Agent knows you are going to ask for something, they shouldn't make you ask; they should anticipate and just do it for you.

• Interview Question:  Please provide an example of how you anticipate client needs and how you would be proactive in providing what the clients needs?

Delivering Results
Lastly, but not least, "Ease of Use" encompasses delivering the result the client is seeking, or at least helping the client understand why that result was not achieved. If what you want is not something the Real Estate Agent can deliver, and you won't change their mind even after you've explained, then ease of use dictates that the Real Estate Agent recommend another Real Estate Agent that may be more suited to your needs or to thank you for your time and respectfully walk away.

• Interview Question:  What tools or resources do you have that will guarantee the results you promise?

The best Real Estate Agents encompass the essential aspects of "Ease of Use" into their daily operations in order to provide you, the client, with the best service possible.  While you're interviewing Real Estate Agents to work with, be sure to inquire about these aspects.  A Real Estate Agent that doesn't adhere to the "Ease of Use" process probably isn't the best Real Estate Agent for you, as you can expect delays in communication (which in real estate can cost you a deal), difficulty in knowing the most suitable direction, you may not freely receive the information or resources you need, and you may not obtain the results you desire.

When selecting a Real Estate Agent, be sure that you will receive the highest level of service possible and that you're provided with the peace of mind you deserve.

Read more from the first article in this series:  How to Find a Great Real Estate Agent

Read the next article in this series:  How to Interview a Real Estate Agent

Real Estate Agents and Consumers - Download the Free "Ease of Use" in Real Estate Brochure either for yourself or to provide to others.