Joan Sather Real Estate

Teamwork Provides the Big Win
By: Joan Sather, mba
Sothebys International Realty
Pacific Palisades, California

We live in a town that values winning above all. Did the deal go down? Did you get the best price?

But let’s expand this narrow view of “winning”. If you are selling your home, you are either cashing out on your equity or you are making a change in your lifestyle. If you are buying a place to live, it is both. You are making an investment along with expanding your lifestyle. To get these jobs done, you will be making not only financial, but physical and emotional commitments. You will be tested !

So you will need professional support. What king of realtor can you learn to trust ? The one who coaches you and counsels you every step of the way ? The one who quickly gives you five bullet points, then hangs up the phone ? Someone who falls in between ?

In short, I recommend choosing your realtor first. Then when you move to the sale or the purchase, you will have the kind of support that will work for you. Here is a potential list of questions for that realtor interview:
1. What kind of support do you provide for the clients you work with ?
2. How do you like to work with clients ?
3. Describe your real estate experience, areas you work in, kinds of transactions you
Are involved with presently or most recently.
4. What part of your work is most fulfilling to you ?
5. What kinds of things are important for clients to know in order to make decisions that work for them?

We in the real estate profession are not “one size fits all”. My most successful transactions for clients have resulted from the clients choosing me first, after conducting an interview(s) in a neutral venue such as a café, for a cup of coffee or a meal. We build a base. We become an effective team, whether they be buyer or seller, to do a winning job for them. Clients would agree our success rate is 100%.