What is of value to you?
Real estate is a funny business. I think many businesses are funny in this way, not just real estate. We have classes, read books, blog back and forth, all in an attempt to discover the new and best ways to bring value to our clients. I don’t know how often we actually ask home buyers and home sellers what they’re actually looking for, though.
This isn’t too different from when I was a school teacher. We had in-service days, seminars, new tech programs, all designed to make the teachers’ lives easier. I don’t think I was ever asked what I as a teacher actually needed. I just sat there and listened to others tell me what their research told them I needed (wouldn’t solid research include asking me?).
Recently I received two odd pieces of mail, that combined with some mail that I sent out, really got me thinking about value. I received an email from a Tacoma-based real estate company announcing that they’d be at a home show, and if I stopped by their booth and mentioned said email I’d “receive a free t-shirt and be the envy of my whole neighborhood.” I don’t feel I live in a very snooty neighborhood, but it would take more than a real estate company’s t-shirt to make me the envy. The second mailing I received came via US Mail from another real estate company. I opened an envelop to find a sample-sized package of Shout-brand hand wipes scotch-taped to a letter saying that the agents at this well-known company were so great it made them want to shout, and if I wanted to know what all the shouting was about I should set up an appointment.
I had just sent out a series of mailings of 6 nice cards, each one with a different quality of Keller Williams Realty that I felt brought value to my business and allowed me to bring value to my clients. My intent was to introduce the value of my company to agents at other companies. My research was personal. These cards that I mailed expressed the items of value that have tangibly grown my business. I didn’t find any value in the t-shirt or the hand-wipes, and I wanted to send something that contained value.
But what about you? I believe that the services I offer to my clients and prospective clients (including the information in this blog) are of value, but I don’t think I’ve ever really asked YOU what you’re looking for in a real estate professional. I’m sure you get postcards and see smiling faces on shopping carts telling you how great various agents are, but have you ever been asked what is important to you? I think I’m guilty of not having asked enough. So now I’m asking. If you’re reading this blog, you’re most likely interested either in Gig Harbor as a community or real estate in Gig Harbor or both. What value have I brought you that you appreciate? What other items of value could I add (either via this blog or otherwise) that you would appreciate? Feel free to post your comments publicly or email them to me at mthomson@kw.com
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:55 am
Though I’m not needing a real estate professional right now, I would say honesty and integrity are of the highest value. Interestingly, I was in a conversation over the weekend with a friend who is in the business; he was pleased to have just closed a deal in the tight market and laughing about the fact that he basically took advantage of the “other party.” His client wanted to buy some land and the woman who was selling was apparently naive in some ways … when I questioned my friend, he replied, “Heck, I have to do my best for my client and I really don’t give a rip about the seller! I didn’t do anythng illegal.” That conversation was at best distasteful … if I ever DO need a real estate professional I want someone who will, of course, represent me well, but will not be so blatantly disrespectful of the other party. I want someone who sees the whole picture and would like the best for all involved.