FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Pricing depends on what exactly I am contracted to do. If you are buying a home and you want me to help you find and buy it, then as your Buyer's Agent there is no fee. That's right, FREE. My services don't cost you a dime. Ask me why and I'll tell you. If you already own a home and you want me to sell it for you, then as your Listing Agent my fee is 6% of the gross sales price I get for you. Keep in mind, I don't make that amount. That amount is split between 4 people: me, my real estate brokerage, the buyer's agent, and the buyer agent's brokerage. Certain discounts may apply so ask about these to see if your particular situation qualifies.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
My process for buying or selling real estate begins with a brief phone call or meeting in person for coffee. During the initial meeting, I try to get a brief overview of what the client wants to do. Are they buying or selling? Why? What price range are they looking in? And a few more general questions. After the initial meeting, I pull together as much market information as I think is needed, and schedule another face-to-face meeting. During the second meeting the client and I get to learn more about each other, outline expectations, ask and answer questions, and see if it is in both of our best interests to have a business relationship. If the client feels comfortable retaining me as their Realtor, and I feel comfortable that I can meet their needs and expectations, and we do not have personality conflicts, we further discuss the paperwork that needs to be put in place to facilitate the transaction and put together a long-term plan for helping the client accomplishing their goals. If, during the meeting, the client or I feel it will not be a good working relationship, we simply part ways and wish each other the best of luck.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Education is key to selecting the best Realtor. And education is my focus. I have earned 2 bachelor degrees: the first in Marketing and the second in Computer Information Systems. These degrees have taught me how to sell, and how to take advantage of technology to facilitate real estate deals. Next, I have earned various real estate credentials. I have a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designation, a Certified Real Estate Pricing Specialist (C-REPS) designation, and a Certified Residential Investment Specialist (CRIS) designation. I am also a member of both NAR (National Association of Realtors) and NABPOP (National Association of Broker Price Opinion Specialists) Realtor certification. In addition to these designations, I have over 30 credit hours of continuing education yearly. The most important education, though, is 10 years of real world experience. Books are great, but in the real world everything changes. There is no better education than experience.