I'm a Realtor, I act as your Personal Consultant

There is no doubt in my mind that I am a consultant to the buyers and sellers I represent. What's funny about it is I'm the only one who approaches it this way. I don't get the sense that the buyer or seller takes on this perspective because if they did, their initial questions may take on a different form.

If I were hiring a consultant, I would have a series of questions to ask which would help me validate that they are the right person for the job. There are several factors involved that could make our relationship for the next 3-6+ months either a good one or one that we'd wished we'd never commited to:

• Expertise in my area
• Communication methods
• Process for tracking and monitoring progress
• Skill of delivery of information
• Strategies for negotiation
• Relations within the community
• Relations with contractors
• Relations with other agents
• Marketing strategies
• Ability to use social media

To me, expertise and skill in these performance areas means that the agent is more well rounded and capable of satisfying my needs beyond just listing my home or finding me property. I've taken a moment to select a few of these above and describe to potential clients how I rate among these characteristics.

To me, it's important to treat initial "interviews" or initial meetings with potential clients as though I were going on a professional interview, because it's my one and only moment to prove my character is right for the job!