As a follow up to why Real Estate is a profession rather than a sales job I wanted to explain a little bit about Agency.
Your agent is your eyes and ears in the market place. You want to pick an agent who knows the market place you are shopping. Shopping is a comparison process so yes, 97% of people begin the search for properties on line. Making an informed decision is more difficult.
A part of any agents presentation to a prospective seller is a Comparable Market Analysis of properties that have sold recently in the area. It’s also known that most sellers do know what sells, and what hangs on the market, because they watch. Neighbors talk with each other. There is also a mental calculation that some how the seller’s property is special, so it’s worth more.
The mental calculations we all have about ourselves, our lives, or perceptions is exactly why it helps to have an agent. Your agent is a buffer between what you want, need, and can afford to do. Agents for either the buyer or seller provide Real Estate industry knowledge. Some of that is statistical, but most of it is learned by experience.
We’ll talk about the over educated Real Estate professional, as well as the tech savvy people. Experience, the shear experience of standing in the clients shoes, and having a calculated outcome is what you pay for. My common theme is that Real Estate, no matter what your personal motivation, is an investment. It pays to have some one keeping your best interests in mind, financially.
About David Losh
In 1984 I got my Real Estate license and worked in a small company called Advance Properties. The owner was extremely interested in Real Estate, building, and land development. Most of his work was concentrated North of Seattle. Since the 1970s I had worked for Real Estate agents in Seattle as a contractor, mostly preparing properties for rent, and sale.
After a few years my skill level increased considerably concerning land use, building code, and development practices. Escrow, and lending offices were housed at the Advance Properties building so it was easy to get involved in all aspects of Real Estate. It was very much a family owned, and operated business.
Over the years my Real Estate license has been at a variety of Real Estate companies, and offices. Nothing compares to those early years, or that sense of family. Real Estate has gotten to be corporate owned.
My hope with this blog is to share with you some of the things I've learned. If you have Real Estate needs, or want contractor help, I refer freely to what best suits you. If you should choose to work with me you'll find a great resource.
My Real Estate license is at Skyline Properties in Northgate. Skyline is a locally owned company that is a desk fee office. There is a wide variety of diverse agents. It helps me with some of the other projects that I have, and mentoring that I do, to be able to work with people from other cultures.
Here in Seattle we are close to Vancouver BC and are the gateway to China. Boeing has a great trade relationship with China, as does Microsoft have with all of Asia. We are a culturally diverse community, and it helps me to be invlolved.
