Let's Up the Professionalism Out in the Marketplace!

I'm not sure what has happened to the general civility in the real estate marketplace - but along with my 401K it seems to have diminished considerably.

Here is my wish-list for all agents that we work with as we bring buyers and sellers together here in the Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate Marketplace (after all that is what our job is - isn't it?)

1. Have a fool proof way to get a showing set up. This means day and night, weekdays and weekends - I am trying to show your listings and would appreciate the courtesy of a call back or an email back. This includes how I get in to the property.

2. Be accurate with the facts on the listing or website. Time is important to the buyers when looking and to sellers who have to clean up and get their homes ready to sell. If the house really has only one bedroom and you list it as a 3 bedroom - you are wasting every-ones time in showings.

3. Return phone calls or emails. We are all busy - don't try to prove you are busier than everyone else by never returning a call - all it serves is to aggrevate and does not help in putting transactions together.

4. Know the market. It is our job as professional Realtors to know the zoning, know the property tax implications, know the mortgage status of our listings - and everything pertinent to selling - or buying - so we are the experts. Let's make sure we get that information on our listings and accurately portray it for the selling agents.

5. Smile and Be Nice - We are all in this together. Our market is picking up and we need each other to make 2009 a great year for our customers and clients.