Realtor®s who focus on busy, career-focused clients may run into problems with their clients’ schedules. They are often hectic and, with the Blackberry™ and other smart phones, work or emergencies are only a button away from sudden changes in plans. However, with a combination of boundaries and preliminary work on your part, you can accommodate busy clients without sacrificing your life to do it. Just remember that flexibility is the mark of a good Realtor®.
Information gathering, both with the client and using the information the client gives you can help save time for both of you. Use the time of the initial appointment to gather as much information as possible from your client. Take careful not of the features that are essential/would be nice/are nice but not necessary. Don’t waste your or your clients’ time by showing them properties that aren’t going to work for them.
Scheduling is a key part of dealing with busy clients. Without a good schedule that takes into account travel time, necessary errands and the other minutiae of a Realtor®’s day as well as the actual appointment with your client, you will find yourself running late and that’s not good for your business. Make sure that your clients are scheduled in such a way that you can meet them on time without having to depend on the vagaries of traffic, the weather or other things you can’t control.
Pay attention to your client’s schedule. Sometimes when they are rushing out to see homes first thing in the morning, asking what kind of breakfast they would like you to pick up from the local coffee shop for them can really be appreciated. The same goes for a carefully ranged series of home tours that end up near your client’s workplace so they don’t have to drive for an hour to get back on the job. Don’t be too over-the-top; just extend those little snippets of care and consideration that show your understanding of their busy schedule and your desire to make house hunting as painless as possible for them.
Be prepared for some sacrifices when your client has a schedule that collides with yours. It can be frustrating to be doing paperwork late into the night or showing a home on the weekend. However, it can also mean a happy client who shows their appreciation by referring you to their friends. While you shouldn’t always ditch your time or your family’s time with you, sometimes being willing to put your wants behind your client’s needs can result in a great business relationship and a successful Real Estate transaction.
Taking the time to communicate with and understand your busy client’s needs can pay off well when you’re trying to find them a home to buy. Busy people appreciate the sacrifices that other busy people make for them and the many small courtesies that can help smooth out the day. Home hunting doesn’t have to be torture for these people; making it your job to see that they’re happy can result in a lot of great business being directed your way.
Philadelphia Real Estate Guide: Find Society Hill condos and homes in Center City Philadelphia. Easy-to-use search and neighborhood info from Todd Levinson, Philly Buyer's Agent.
