Gig Harbor Undressed

How real estate teams benefit you

Buying and selling a home can be a scary, often confusing endeavor.  At the same time, it’s a very common practice.  More than 600 homes are currently for sale in Gig Harbor, and 150 homes have sold thus far in ‘08 in Gig Harbor and Fox Island alone.  When the time comes to select a real estate professional to help you through the process of buying or selling, you may find that to be a bit confusing and overwhelming as well.  There are in the neighborhood of 500 agents in Gig Harbor, and several claim to be top agents, top producers, top in client satisfaction, etc.  Some are individuals, some are groups, some are partners, some are teams.

I wanted to give you a quick run down of how I run my business, and why I feel that my team of real estate professionals can benefit you when you have real estate needs.  There are several real estate companies in Gig Harbor, some with national names, others regional, and some very local.  I chose Keller Williams for a variety of reasons that I’d love to share, but that’s info for another post or a face to face conversation.  What is important is that Keller Williams gives me all of the necessary tools and systems I need to run my own business like a business, not just a real estate salesperson job. 

Many agents within Keller Williams (and other Gig Harbor brokerages, as well) refer to themselves as a “team.”  For some, this means multiple agents sharing leads and duties, for others it means a “rainmaker” agent with multiple assistants, and for others (such as myself) it is literally a team of real estate professionals working together to make your real estate transactions as smooth as possible.

I am the only Realtor on my team.  I represent buyers and sellers alike, and when my clients call they get me, nobody else.  Another key member of my team is Matt Sorensen, owner of West Coast Home Inspection.  I have only represented 2 buyers in my career who have elected not to use Matt’s services.  For under $400, Matt spends upwards of 2 hours with my buyers, inspecting every aspect of their potential future home.  He is both a pest inspector (looking for wood destroying organisms) and a home inspector (making sure that the home’s systems are in good working order).  Perhaps the best money a home buyer can spend.

Another key member of my team is my title and escrow representatives.  I’m in a bit of a bind right now, because I’m torn between two companies.  I’ve used Fidelity National for years, and have nothing but great experiences with them.  Recently however, The Talon Group presented me with some great new tools to help keep my clients’ files in order and to help promote my sellers’ homes, and I’ve found great success with both.  I won’t mention names here, but a poorly run title and escrow company can cause many stressful moments.  I’m currently using one such company in a transaction we are trying to close (the sellers are a relocation company who insisted on this escrow company).  My clients are out of state and require some special instructions to close, and I have yet to have contact once with this company.  They have yet to answer or return a phone call or email, and we’re several weeks into the transaction.  Fidelity and The Talon Group send me DAILY emails keeping me posted on the progress of the sale.

The final important member of my team is Bill Hannon, a mortgage broker with IndyMac Bank.  Every home purchase and refinance I’ve ever done I’ve used Bill, and about 75% of my buyers have chosen to work with him as well.  I’ve never had a single transaction not close due to financing…I’ve never even had one close late due to financing!  I’ve had clients who have chosen to work with other loan officers, and the deals have gone fine, but the #1 complaint of real estate agents is lenders who can’t close deals in time (I think the #1 complaint of loan officers is probably real estate agents who don’t get them paperwork in time, too!).  I have had 2 transactions go south due to financing (neither client chose to use Bill)…one never closed, the other finally closed a week late (that week cost my clients $500 and could have been much worse).  Having a loan officer whom you know and trust, and who is dedicated to keeping all parties in the loop, is invaluable.

I believe it’s important when you are ready to buy or sell a home that you learn who your real estate agent’s team is.  I know the temptation to hire your friend from high school is pretty great, and the pressure to list your home with your neighbor is real, but there is more to buying and selling homes than many folks realize.  West Coast Home Inspection isn’t Gig Harbor’s only home inspection company…but I believe they are the best.  Fidelity and Talon aren’t the only companies in Gig Harbor who can close a deal…but I believe they are the best.  Bill Hannon certainly isn’t the only loan officer in Gig Harbor, but I do believe that he is the best.  I’m not the only real estate agent in Gig Harbor, but largely thanks to my team, I believe I am the best.  I’d love the chance to interview with you when it’s time to make your next move.

Share