When meeting with potential buyers and sellers, I often ask alot of questions.
WHAT are the goals you would like me to help you achieve?
WHEN would you like to achieve them?
WHY would you like to move? (buy, sell...)
WHERE would you like to go/be?
HOW can we accomplish your goals together?
WHO...other than me would better represent you?! Nobody, that's who!
I think it is very important to have a comprehensive understanding of your clients motivations. It really helps me give personalized service, honest feedback, and be sensitive to their individual circumstances.
I provide outstanding service to outstanding people!
BethAnn Long ~ Spokane Realtor- Coldwell Banker Tomlinson South Inc.
509-362-4607
...there's no place like your home!
BethAnn, Great advice from a seasoned agent. We all need to know the answers to better serve our clients...
Hi BethAnn!
These are great questions! I am, at heart, somewhat shy (no one ever believes it). Asking people personal questions always seems nosy to me, so I have a hard time learning what I need to know. I will keep your questions handy!
Information is power.
So true BethAnn. We have to ask these things so we can better understand their expectations, then we're truly working together with them to reach that goal, seller or buyer.
BethAnn, Good reminder! The questions about motivation are crucial. I spent a tremendous amount of time with one seller helping her prepare her home for the market, but she ended up listing at the last minute with an agent 30 miles away who doesn't know the area. Why? She doesn't want to sell, she wants to stay. It's her ex-husband who wants to sell the home and get his money out. I did ask the right questions, I just forgot to listen to the answers!
Beth Ann: And then there are all of the particulars of the neighborhood and especially the floor plan of the house. (I have had a string of buyers who insist in a large bathtub in the master!)
That was cute and a good way to prequal all buyers to get to know their wants & needs.