Real estate agents can help you turn finding your dream home into a reality. Cate Bakos, a Melbourne-based licensed real estate agent and buyers’ advocate, offers some useful tips on how to keep in their good books.
Definitely don’t be rude or dismissive when the agent greets you. This might sound obvious, but after an early start (weekend lie-ins often become a thing of the past when you’re looking for your dream home) and traipsing around several houses all morning can turn even the most saintly of us into monosyllabic grumps. But don’t take it out on the agent – ever.
They’ll most likely ask you for contact details so let them know if you’d rather not be called, or give them a heads-up about particular times you’d prefer not hear to from them.
At least walk through the property before you start asking them about price and vendor’s plans. Agents won’t take you seriously if you pummel them for information before you’ve even decided if the property suits your needs.
When it comes to chatting with real estate agents be forthcoming with positive and helpful feedback, keeping any negative thoughts about the property to yourself. Picture: Getty Images
Skip asking them why the vendor is selling. This is something that should be asked privately, and only when you’ve made a decision to purchase the property. Remember that first and foremost the agent’s job is to work for – and protect – the vendor.
Avoid being openly negative about the property (save this for car or coffee shop). Sometimes agents are selling their own homes (imagine the tumble weed…) or family member’s properties, plus almost every agent has a good relationship with their vendor and may take rude comments about their property personally.
Keep in mind that agency systems are quite sophisticated these days with tablets and CRM systems. Whatever information you disclose could be captured on a system that multiple agents are privy to, so make sure your feedback is constructive.
Lastly, try and track down the agent – or linger politely if they’re chatting to other house hunters – to say thank you and goodbye. Making a good last impression will help keep you at the forefront of their mind, either for the property you’ve expressed interest in or for suitable ones soon to hit the market.
