What do you look for in a Realtor? Past answers would likely include experience, area knowledge and good communicator.
However valuable those qualities are in a Realtor, they simply are no longer enough.
Not - even - close.
Whether you are buying or selling a home, today’s internet and cell phone technology has dramatically changed the way that real estate transactions occur. Even if you do not personally depend on these technologies, you need an agent who does in order to compete in today’s world of buying and selling property.
Signs that your Realtor might be hurting your purchase or sale with outdated technology
· They use a fax machine instead of scanning and emailing
· They do not text
· They do not have a smart phone
· They do not offer you eSigning as an option
· They use a combination lock for your house key
· They do not have a website to feature your listing
· They do not have a solid Zillow and Realtor.com profile
· They do not use drone or professional photography
· They do not offer or use online scheduling of appointments
When a busy buyer’s agent is trying to schedule showings, they will often skip listings that require them to make a phone call to schedule. There are plenty of other properties that offer online scheduling technology which is a much more efficient use of their time.
Many agents do most of their office work at their home office - where there is not a fax machine. If your agent is trying to fax an offer to a listing agent, it could likely be left in the dust as other agents are sending their offers straight to the listing agents’ home office computer and smart phone.
Why would your Realtor not want to have an automated record of every agent who enters your home? If your agent is using a combination lock instead of an electronic lock box, you’ll have to ask them that question. You can also ask them how they make certain that the buyer’s do not learn the combination. Scary!
These are only a few of the reasons that home owners and shoppers are wise to ask tough questions and expect great answers when interviewing their next Realtor.
Steve Martin Smith is a Top 1% REALTOR who specializes in Residential New Construction and Resale in Sarasota County, including Venice and The West Villages.
SteveMartinHomes.com is the GO-TO Real Estate site for Sarasota, Charlotte and Manatee Counties.