A: Below are some common points of contention and ways to avoid them.
1. Seller dissatisfied with staging/overall marketing of their property: This can be avoided by having the listing agent show examples of the type of brochure they will use, and provide a detailed marketing plan. A stager should provide website information, and the client should be encouraged to meet with them in person if possible, and review their site carefully to make sure they are satisfied with the look the stager will be providing.
2. When the agent does not know the answer to clients’ questions: It is important to be the problem solver, and point them in right direction/help find solution — whether it’s with the title company, lender, inspectors, etc.
3. Let the professionals do their job: This goes for client and Realtor as well. The lending industry has changed dramatically over the years and it is very important that agents not — try to in their quest to be helpful — answer questions from their client that are beyond their scope of expertise.
A: Conflicts are caused by misaligned objectives, communication breakdowns and lack of trust.
In the beginning, clients should make clear their desires on price, location, property features, timing, etc. A good agent will temper those objectives by sharing market realities. Both parties should agree on the reasonableness of the goals and create a bond of trust through rapport and truth telling.
Clients often switch agents when they feel that they are not getting enough attention. The best way to avoid this is to agree up front on how often both parties will talk and spend time together.
Agents get frustrated with clients who repeatedly do not listen to their advice. If a client is not following sound advice, then that indicates a lack of trust or objectives that are out of sync. If trust and alignment are not there, it is difficult for success to follow.
A: In this competitive market, buyers are looking for any advantage in buying a home. The most effective strategy is to work with an agent who has strong negotiation skills and knowledge of not only the neighborhood and property but also of the listing agent and company.
Relationships go a long way to build trust. In this competitive market, you want an agent who can represent your interests, but who also has a strong relationship with the listing agent. I’ve found that when an escrow runs quickly and smoothly, one reason is that both agents have a great working relationship.
Some unrepresented buyers have hoped to get an advantage by approaching the listing agent directly to write an offer for them, but with its inherent conflicts of interest, a buyer does not get the best representation of his or her interests. In other words, the buyer does not get the best deal.
Source : SFGate.com
