On today’s episode of Let’s Talk Service, Eve applies customer service knowledge to guide us through the world of real estate. She discusses the importance of setting clear expectations with the realtor or real estate agent, how to build trust with your realtor to foster a long-term partnership, and how being clear about your desire for ongoing communication can set your realty experience up for success. 

This episode, we discuss:

[02:30] The importance of doing your homework

Anytime you’re considering hiring, it’s important to understand that the best way to save time and money is to do your homework beforehand. Take the time to consider what you should be looking for in a realtor and get to know the real estate process, researching things like average commissions and marketing techniques. This will help you ask the right questions during the interview process.

[08:31] Building trust within the interview process

Now that you have at least a foundational understanding of the world of real estate, it’s important to go into the interview process ready to listen. Be sure to take notes so that you can ask the appropriate follow-up questions, and always ask for references. The right clarifying questions will give you a clear vision for what it would be like to work with that specific realtor, and will prevent any over-promising of services. If you feel you may be uncomfortable being upfront about wanting to continue to interview other people, bring a friend with you who is comfortable making that known. Building trust from the beginning of the partnership is very important.

[12:46] Setting expectations for continued communication

After you’ve interviewed, carried out your due diligence, and hired your realtor, it’s time to reiterate your expectations around communication. Do you want updates on new homes or apartments every day, or would you rather only have updates when locations become available that are specific to your needs? Regular check-ins and communication will keep the process from becoming unnecessarily overwhelming, so set these expectations with your realtor from the start. Once you’ve purchased your new home, have a discussion about ongoing conversation and check-ins if you’re interested in maintaining the connection to your realtor for potential questions or other real estate needs.

Thank you for listening! I’d love you to join me for a new episode every other Tuesday and hear from our guests and their perspective on fabulous customer service. If you’re interested in more information, check out Bond and Des Voeux on Instagram!