Real Estate Service?

Real estate professionals assist their clients in buying or selling the biggest investment of their lives. Many of these transactions are more financially crucial to a client’s investment future then those dealings handled by stock brokers, bankers, or even attorneys. You would think that a profession accountable for such an important task would be considered a prestigious occupation.

Real estate agents, however, have acquired a label much less positive then their tasks would suggest. Much of the general public feel that agents are incompetent or even unprofessional. In fact even many real estate professionals consider themselves inferior, offering discounted commissions and inflated listing prices to gain business. Could you imagine an unskilled doctor who finds himself losing business suddenly decide to start charging less money? Would you, as a patient, decide to begin using his discounted services? I know I wouldn’t, yet I drive by lawn signs everyday by agents and companies that hurt the real estate reputation.

Every time I see these signs I think two distinct thoughts. At first it irritates me, but never due to envy. In fact I wish both these sellers and agents the best of luck. The issue that irritates me arises the moment I reach my office and access the Multiple Listing Service. Nine times out of ten I find the home in question is completely overpriced and the commission is discounted. Thus the seller(s) choose an agent who was either incompetent at pricing a home or willing to submit to the seller’s price rather then educate and convince the seller to make the best financial decision. Both alternatives lead to the same conclusion. Six months later the listing will most likely expire and the frustrated seller(s) will label all real estate professionals as being incompetent. If the seller is fortunate enough to sell in the first six months it will usually be after months of sitting on the market and having to reduce the price. Both of which cause sellers to again be angry with real estate professionals.

The second thought that crosses my mind upon passing these signs is that of possibility. Similar to a seller that decides to market a home on their own (For Sale By Owner/ FSBO), many of these agents will fail. Consequently, it is only a matter of time before I have the opportunity to give Realtors a good name. I specialize in selling expired’s and FSBO’s because I know that both parties are motivated to sell and need the skills I offer. It also provides an extra incentive because it allows me that opportunity to prove that good Realtors are worth what they make. Sellers walk away from our transaction with the knowledge that real estate professionals provide value.

The question then becomes; What is value? I first questioned value as it pertains to real estate during my first real estate licensing course. As anyone new to a group I began sizing up the individuals sitting in the classroom. A novice to real estate I wanted to gain a better understanding of who I would be graduating and entering my future field with. I must admit I was far from impressed. A good majority of the class was primarily uneducated. I certainly do not mean to seem judgemental because many of these people were lovely, yet when I considered a field which handles an individual’s largest personal asset I expected the standards to be higher. Having graduated both high school and college I felt the education necessary to become a real estate professional was entirely too easy. Furthermore, I feel it is this lack of difficulty that enables people under qualified to become licensed agents. These are the same people that later hurt the real estate reputation.

Fortunately, I decided to join a company who stressed education above everything. In fact before allowing me to work with clients I had to attend a mandatory full day, three week seminar which focused on a full spectrum of real estate knowledge. Once I graduated the program I was enrolled in a series of focus groups and lectures aimed at building my skills on a weekly basis. I was assigned two mentors who answered any questions I needed answered and also instructed me on aspects of the business I might not have even considered. Once my company deemed I had enough experience to work without a mentor I truly no longer needed one, yet the education never ended. I have since earned two real estate designations (ASP and e-Pro) by attending optional classes at my own expense. Through these designations I am now proficient in both “Professional Home Staging” and utilizing technology to give my clients and I a distinct advantage over our competition.

Each of these levels of education was crucial to my understanding of the real estate business and thus propels my ability to perform at a competent level. Without this excess training I would have been unable to provide my clients with the level of expertise necessary to educate them properly and guide them wisely. Why then does the state not require that agents attend further education? This laissez faire system is a fundamental cause of our bad public image.

All real estate agents are not uneducated, incompetent, and lazy. Many of us are full time professionals who constantly attend workshops to improve our skills. We focus on providing the value that many other so-called real estate professionals lack and establish an open line of communication from the start. We might not always say what you want to hear, but you can expect to hear what you need to know. Our honesty and integrity allow us to give you realistic prices regardless of our competition. We also fight for our commission just like we fight for our client’s best interest during a negotiation. How could a seller expect to hire a good negotiator to represent their best interests, if the agent does not even fight for their own salary? We recognize our own worth because no one can do our job better.

Regardless of what people may think I will say this; I am proud to be a real estate professional. I know that every client I work with gains respect for what I do.

My sellers can rely on my ability to educate them about the market, price their home correctly, communicate with them regularly, negotiate on their behalf, and most importantly sell their home in the quickest amount of time for the most amount of money.

My buyers can rely on my knowledge of the communities I do business in, consistent work ethic, constant communication, ability to walk them through the process, and most importantly listening skills. I learn what you need and want and find it.

If you have any questions or wish to contact me feel free to visit my site at http://michaelpennisi.com . I look forward to hearing from you.