Have you ever had something magnificent happen to you thanks to the help of someone else?
You may be thinking of the time your friend introduced you to your future partner, or maybe a high-school counselor who helped you find your ideal career path. We call these people “matchmakers.”
Tuesday, August 31 was National Matchmaker Day, a holiday celebrating the people in your life who have helped you create a happy ending. Ancient Greek matchmakers were dubbed pomestria, and they helped parents find ideal spouses for their children.
Today, matchmakers are found applying their social-savvy to many fields of work — social workers at adoption agencies, life coaches helping clients make amends with loved ones, and even real estate agents who help families find their perfect forever-home.
Real estate agents aren’t the typical matchmakers. If you have ever met a realtor, you probably know how busy they are. That’s because realtors go out of their way to find their clients the best home to fit all their needs.
A great real estate agent is fully engaged with their work at all times, because there is usually a laundry list of things they have to do to get you the ideal listing. Today’s blog will help you understand the constant work these matchmakers do for their clients, and the reasons they deserve appreciation!
The research
In order for an agent to find the best listings, or to promote a listing from a client, they need to know what’s going on in their targeted market.
Keeping up-to-date with market trends is key for any agent, and it requires constant research and the ability to adapt to fluctuations. The responsibility of a realtor is to know the area they work in like the back of their hand. That’s no small task, considering the ever-changing nature of some housing markets, and the multitude of factors which can influence a home’s value.
Familiarity with any given housing market requires a realtor to not only pay attention to economic trends, but also the overall expectations of both buyers and sellers. Of course, every homeowner is different, and has unique needs to fulfill. That means realtors keep an eye on everything from the local transit system to the extra-curricular programs offered by local schools.
The planning
You might think a beautiful, well-maintained property would sell itself. However, even listings that seem to have it all can linger on the market for an unexpectedly long time without a strategic marketing plan.
Any realtor worth their salt knows how to make even the simplest home appeal to potential buyers. A splash of paint here, a new rug over there — but that’s not all. Every home is different, and some need more sprucing up than others. A realtor will ensure your home is inspected from top-to-bottom and front-to-back, by skilled industry professionals. Then, they’ll let you know exactly what work needs to be done in order to make your home fit for the market.
In many cases, a realtor’s marketing plan will also include creating a blog listing or social media account for a home, and designing flyers or posters to advertise the home around the area.
And let’s not forget one of the most important parts of selling a house — showing it off to potential buyers! Typically, a realtor is responsible for arranging showings and open-houses, and coordinating meetings with potential buyers, as well as responding to inquiries about the listing.
The collaboration
A realtor’s work is never over, which is why they enlist the help of other industry specialists to get you your ideal listing.
When a realtor isn’t busy with listings, they are spending much of their time networking with professionals and local entrepreneurs. These could include lawyers, contracting and construction companies, inspection and cleaning services, and even small business owners, among others.
A good relationship with other industry professionals can help a realtor find you the best offer for your home, and protect you from potential financial harm when purchasing a home. For example, if you’re trying to sell a home with several costly repairs to be made, your realtor might have a friendly relationship with a local contracting company who will give you a discounted price.
A realtor will also have a keen knowledge of the quality of real estate services offered in your area. If you’re trying to decide between two interior decorating companies, your realtor may be able to offer insight about who to choose.
But it doesn’t stop at giving decorating advice and obtaining discounted services; a realtor will also know which company will offer the most thorough inspection of your home and property, ensuring that whether you’re buying or selling, you’re aware of the issues you may need to address.
Lastly, realtors work hand-in-hand with buyers and sellers to arrange the best deal possible for their client. They are responsible for filing important documents and pointing out any convoluted or deceptive language in a contract that could lead to the harm of their client. Possibly most importantly, a realtor will work with their clients to respect their budget and individual needs and desires.
Realtors are hard-working, passionate individuals who are dedicated to finding you the best fit possible when buying, selling, or renting a home. Everyone needs a place to live, so chances are even if you haven’t worked with one yet, you’ll end up relying on a realtor’s help eventually.
That’s what makes real estate one of the most significant fields of matchmaking there is; when you dream about the perfect home, your realtor will be there to make your dreams come true.
