Jim Valentine: Different agents, different styles

Real estate has many variables that make each situation unique. Buyers and sellers are individuals, people with their own wants, needs, quirks and characteristics. The properties also vary in many ways that contribute to the uniqueness of the situation. Then there are the agents, each a unique individual bringing their own skill set, perspective, mind-set, attitude, and abilities to a business that has many black and white legal and ethical guidelines governing it while the industry itself is extremely gray in practice, meaning there are many different ways to be a successful practitioner.

Take the contracts for instance. Most Northern Nevada residential agents use the same form set to sell homes, but how they complete them varies widely. The forms are “fill in the blank” type forms so one would imagine the information that gets checked off or inserted would be similar. The offers don’t come in that way. Some agents deliver offers that are completely filled out with no blanks, technically the preferred practice, but others come in with the bare essential information, leaving details that need to be agreed on later. While you can close escrow with either style, one prevents having to agree to something after you have agreed.

The agents’ appearance is also varied, especially depending on the market they are working. Some look like they are going to a cocktail party or a Wall Street board room while others will be in shorts or jeans. The cars they drive can have equal disparity with some driving expensive foreign models while others don’t. Either can be just fine. If you are showing a rural 40 acres, you will dress and drive differently than if you are working on a condo in the city. It is Nevada, and a varied assortment of clothing and vehicles are generally acceptable given the circumstances. The agents aren’t in court appearing before a judge requiring a collar and a tie, they are appearing before you and working for you.

Agent personalities vary greatly, of course, and those differences can be interesting. Some agents are high-strung, others laid back. Some are emotional roller coasters while others are unflappable. Most seasoned agents will adapt their energy level and emotion to the situation understanding that there is enough emotion in the transaction between the buyers and sellers, there is no need for more from the agents who are supposed to be guiding the transaction. That doesn’t mean it won’t happen, however, as agents are people, too.

With such a variety of circumstances and situations, one must wonder, how does anything get done? In fact, the differences between agents can enhance the transaction. Good agents work together contributing their strengths to the transaction. If an offer is written loosely, the other agent can tighten it with a counter or addendum. With enough trust, an email will suffice. Good agents balance one another in their pursuit of their common goal: the successful close of escrow. As bumps appear, they work together to resolve the problems so as to keep things moving along.

Our advice: As with everywhere in life, it is important to embrace our differences. No agent is entirely correct in every situation. Each is unique and sometimes that uniqueness is ideal for the circumstances. What type of property are you buying or selling, i.e. land, ranch, commercial, residential, and who is the best fit for you in your area? Remember, you want the agent for their experience and knowledge, not their appearance or demeanor. While you want to have fun with them along the way, each transaction is but a short-term relationship that you want to be successful. The end game is what counts.

Enjoy the process and the people along the way. There are many ways to close a real estate transaction. While form is important, the function of closing is most important.

When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs ... Experience is Priceless! Jim Valentine, CDPE, SFR, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, 775-781-3704, dpwtigers@hotmail.com, www.carsonvalleyland.com.