WHY I BECAME A REALTOR®

Would you apply for a job if the classified ad looked like this?

Professional needed — Must have extensive knowledge of area and geography, exceptional interpersonal relations and superior negotiation skills. Willing to work nights and weekends. Will need to generate leads consistently (and handle rejection), since more than 75% of leads will not result in actual transactions. Contact us today!

I did. And I love it!

I think it’s important that you know just why I became a REALTOR® — and why I work so hard for my clients.

Image courtesy of jesadaphorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

My Mortgage Background

During the real estate “boom” of the early 2000s — which became the real estate “bubble” that burst a few years later — I was actually working on the mortgage loan side of the business.  

The first lender I worked for was one of the biggest names in the industry. And although I saw a lot of loan officers go for the fast and easy money, I refused to put people in loans that they wouldn’t be able to handle (especially the adjustable mortgages).

The second company I worked for was a much smaller lender, but the bubble at that time was about to burst (and the recession was beginning) — so the leads began to dry up and everybody was struggling.

I’m proud that I never put a client in a bad loan, and that I did my very best to clearly explain to each and every customer what they were getting into when they signed those papers. And those experiences would serve me well in future years, both as a REALTOR® and as a homebuyer myself.

Lessons Learned From Personal Experience

My husband and I have bought and sold a few homes, and we had different experiences each time — some good, some bad … but I learned something from each and every one of them.

I learned that every client (including myself) wants a REALTOR® who is:

• Hard-working. Someone who’s committed to doing the legwork to find the right place.
• Dependable. Someone who arrives at the right place at the right time — and is available beyond regular working hours.
• Honest. Someone who tells the truth at all times — even when it’s not what a client wants to hear.
• Attentive. Someone who listens to the client’s “wants” and “needs” — and doesn’t waste their time by showing them homes that are clearly not the right fit.
• Detail-oriented. Someone who makes sure all paperwork is accurate, and that every person involved in the transaction has all the information and forms they need.
• Knowledgeable. Someone who is up-to-date on market conditions and prices, geographic areas, communities, neighborhoods, etc. — and has resources such as lenders, appraisers, stagers, and other related professionals.

My 5 Goals For Every Client Relationship

1. To help each client find the right home at the right price. I make sure their mortgage professional gets them the right type of loan at a good interest rate.
2. To be friendly. We’re in a “people” business, and being professional and courteous helps put everyone at ease.
3. To be honest. It’s how I am at work and in my personal life. I have no time for anything less than the truth, and my clients deserve 100% transparency.
4. To be reliable. I will be there when I say I will, and my clients can depend on me for answers, advice and encouragement.
5. To help my clients understand everything, every step of the way. Combining my mortgage experience with my personal home-buying knowledge, I’m able to walk my clients through the entire home-buying process.

The Bottom Line

I love my job. I get to help people find a place to live — whether it’s a single person or a big extended family — and I take that responsibility very seriously. I do my very best to make sure that they’re truly happy they chose me as their REALTOR®. 

So now you know my story! Tell me yours — and how I can help you buy, sell or lease your next home. Contact me at 267.566.3448 or email me at shannon.rubin1@gmail.com today!

© 2014 Shannon Rubin.

 

How To Buy A Home in a Seller’s Market

If you’re trying to buy a home — but discovering that it’s now a seller’s market — I’ve got two words of advice, stolen from Douglas Adams: Don’t panic!

Here are three things you can do to make being a successful buyer in a seller’s market:

1. Be persistent.
It’s tougher to find a good deal, so you’ve got to be active and aware of what’s available. This is where having a smart, attentive REALTOR® can be helpful. They can help you stay on top of new listings and make sure any negotiations move at the right pace.

2. Be specific.
There’s a limited “inventory,” so you might have less to choose from in your search. So make sure that you (and your REALTOR) know exactly what you’re looking for — and where you’re looking for it — so you’re not wasting time or energy.

3. Be a smart negotiator.
It’s very likely that today’s home seller will have multiple offers on their property. It’s even more likely that those offers will be at their asking price or even above. Don’t waste your time — or theirs — with “lowball” offers. Make a fair offer, and you might even want to think about paying fees and closing costs to help seal the deal.

Don’t lose hope — just because it might not be the absolute best time to be a home buyer, you can still find the right home. (It just might take a little more work!)

Above all, be smart! Choose wisely when it comes to working with a REALTOR® — maybe even one with mortgage experience like me. 😉

Contact me at 267.566.3448 or email me at shannon.rubin1@gmail.com today!

 

© 2013 by Shannon Rubin.