BENEFITS OF AN EXPERIENCED REALTOR®
Original Content by Carl Johnson
I love giving back to the community I serve. From super fun ways such as musicals and parades to serving as a Co-Chair on the DEIFH+ (Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, Fair Housing plus) Committee of Orange Chatham Association of Realtors to a Board Member & Ambassador, Hillsborough Orange County Chamber of Commerce, I am charged up by making a difference serving our community and helping the people that live here. I take this same approach with my business and clients, which is why I put so much time and effort into getting to know my clients while often becoming great friends, paying attention to each and every detail. Working together as a team with my clients allows us to leave each room better than we left it, which is how I set myself apart from other agents.
There are a few factors as a REALTOR®, which are standard to being a high-level broker but there are also key factors that make one an industry leader. Without giving away the recipe of my "secret sauce," I would like to share with you what you get in the value of experience of a REALTOR®, as well as what to look for in the industry.
Knowledge - Friendships - Resources
I have lived in the Greater Triangle Area since 1986 and have been making multiple yearly trips to the Crystal Coast for over 20 years with my family and for business. With my decades of knowledge of these areas I am able to assist buyers and sellers to make the best decisions while upholding my fiduciary duties to them as well.
I really like to get to know my clients as well as I possibly can, so that I help them get to where they want to be. With that understanding, I have a very high success rate of happy & satisfied clients, without writing multiple offers on multiple properties. When helping my buyers I like to get to know them as best as I can, their hobbies and interests and what they like to do, so when helping to locate the right property, it matches their lifestyle and interests. North Carolina and the Triangle, as well as the Crystal Coast, have such great communities with so many vibrant attributes. I help show a buyer an area from hiking and beaches to colleges and business districts, all within anyone's style and budget. I feel like a matchmaker between my buyer clients and their next home. I want my clients to be comfortable and happy with their purchase and make sure it matches the way they want to live. The Triangle area and Crystal Coast has it all. It would be easy for an agent to just find a property in a price range, but I make sure to go the extra mile to find a house that checks off more than just one box. I do this by taking my time and using all of my available resources to help buyers and sellers get what they want and need.
As a licensed REALTOR®, I have access to an insightful monthly market report for each county. I often pull local Triangle county reports, as well as the Crystal Coast, and post them on my blog making them available to you for your general knowledge. CLICK HERE to check out our blog page. I also have special access to the Global Luxury Market Report through my membership with the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, where I completed the courses to be a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist. The Global Luxury report keeps my clients and I up to date on national trends, while the Local Market Report shares the happenings in our communities. I review these reports as they come out monthly, and I use them in a specific market area with my buyers and sellers. I like to help clients with residential homes and land at all price points and these reports help increase my knowledge for all clients.
I love giving back to the community I serve. From super fun ways such as musicals and parades to serving as a Co-Chair on the DEIFH+ (Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, Fair Housing plus) Committee of Orange Chatham Association of Realtors to a Board Member & Ambassador, Hillsborough Orange County Chamber of Commerce, I am charged up by making a difference serving our community and helping the people that live here. I take this same approach with my business and clients, which is why I put so much time and effort into getting to know my clients while often becoming great friends, paying attention to each and every detail. Working together as a team with my clients allows us to leave each room better than we left it, which is how I set myself apart from other agents.
There are a few factors as a REALTOR®, which are standard to being a high-level broker but there are also key factors that make one an industry leader. Without giving away the recipe of my "secret sauce," I would like to share with you what you get in the value of experience of a REALTOR®, as well as what to look for in the industry.
Knowledge - Friendships - Resources
I have lived in the Greater Triangle Area since 1986 and have been making multiple yearly trips to the Crystal Coast for over 20 years with my family and for business. With my decades of knowledge of these areas I am able to assist buyers and sellers to make the best decisions while upholding my fiduciary duties to them as well.
I really like to get to know my clients as well as I possibly can, so that I help them get to where they want to be. With that understanding, I have a very high success rate of happy & satisfied clients, without writing multiple offers on multiple properties. When helping my buyers I like to get to know them as best as I can, their hobbies and interests and what they like to do, so when helping to locate the right property, it matches their lifestyle and interests. North Carolina and the Triangle, as well as the Crystal Coast, have such great communities with so many vibrant attributes. I help show a buyer an area from hiking and beaches to colleges and business districts, all within anyone's style and budget. I feel like a matchmaker between my buyer clients and their next home. I want my clients to be comfortable and happy with their purchase and make sure it matches the way they want to live. The Triangle area and Crystal Coast has it all. It would be easy for an agent to just find a property in a price range, but I make sure to go the extra mile to find a house that checks off more than just one box. I do this by taking my time and using all of my available resources to help buyers and sellers get what they want and need.
As a licensed REALTOR®, I have access to an insightful monthly market report for each county. I often pull local Triangle county reports, as well as the Crystal Coast, and post them on my blog making them available to you for your general knowledge. CLICK HERE to check out our blog page. I also have special access to the Global Luxury Market Report through my membership with the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, where I completed the courses to be a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist. The Global Luxury report keeps my clients and I up to date on national trends, while the Local Market Report shares the happenings in our communities. I review these reports as they come out monthly, and I use them in a specific market area with my buyers and sellers. I like to help clients with residential homes and land at all price points and these reports help increase my knowledge for all clients.
NEGOTIATION-DETAILS-TRUST
For me, it is all about the details, so that I may share as much information about the property to the buyer or seller, so we are able to communicate as many details as possible to potential buyers who will present their best and highest offer on my listings. I’ve seen as we offer more and more details on our listings such as 3-D tours, video walkthrough, printed custom designed booklets, local area maps, the use of multiple social media channels, custom house talk cards, sometimes a bird or plant list and scavenger hunt... etc. has increased out of state offers who see our high level of detail marketing the value proposition while communicating the special attributes of the property. The "Signature Listing Service" we offer to our clients is one of a kind, CLICK HERE to learn more about how we go above and beyond.
While listing a property for sale for my clients, I do take as much time as needed to discover any opportunities available to get the best offers for my clients. It is always up to the seller to decide what they want to do with the property, but I take my time to make sure to show them what the buyer and buyer's agent will see when they tour the property. I always like to say, "put your best foot forward" from the beginning. I have sold homes in "as is condition" and have sold homes that sellers have done some minimal high impact updates on and both win. I do not require anything, however putting the work in prior to listing does increase the interest on the property and the final sale price if the property is "show ready" and "turn-key".
I often read and reread “Create A Great Deal: The Art of Real Estate Negotiation” by Tim Burrell. I don’t just pull numbers from the air with my buyers for offers, I provide a market snapshot that I call a "surface scrape", prior to having a conversation with my client about the details of an offer. I also have access to our brokerage's data that we share internally that tracks the following offer details: due diligence & earnest money amount, cash or financed. I am all about providing data and knowledge to my clients, so that they make a well-informed decision. During my conversations with my buyer clients, we discuss how many days until the settlement meeting, how much due diligence or earnest money, etc., and if cash or what type of loan types are appealing to the sellers, in this robust real estate market. It pays to know as much as you can before placing an offer. I build a relationship with the other agent, so that there is a win-win situation for all, and we all work for the best interests of our clients together in harmony, navigating the process to closing with dignity, grace and respect to all.
What I find most important for my clients is to protect their best interests at all times and to sometimes protect them from themselves. And that is why I always default back to providing as much information about the process of purchasing or selling real estate. When placing the offer for my buyer, I just don’t take a shot in the dark and send off a blind email to the seller agent. I always make sure I find out if there is anything the sellers may find more favorable in an offer, so that my buyer's offer is accepted.
For me, it is all about the details, so that I may share as much information about the property to the buyer or seller, so we are able to communicate as many details as possible to potential buyers who will present their best and highest offer on my listings. I’ve seen as we offer more and more details on our listings such as 3-D tours, video walkthrough, printed custom designed booklets, local area maps, the use of multiple social media channels, custom house talk cards, sometimes a bird or plant list and scavenger hunt... etc. has increased out of state offers who see our high level of detail marketing the value proposition while communicating the special attributes of the property. The "Signature Listing Service" we offer to our clients is one of a kind, CLICK HERE to learn more about how we go above and beyond.
While listing a property for sale for my clients, I do take as much time as needed to discover any opportunities available to get the best offers for my clients. It is always up to the seller to decide what they want to do with the property, but I take my time to make sure to show them what the buyer and buyer's agent will see when they tour the property. I always like to say, "put your best foot forward" from the beginning. I have sold homes in "as is condition" and have sold homes that sellers have done some minimal high impact updates on and both win. I do not require anything, however putting the work in prior to listing does increase the interest on the property and the final sale price if the property is "show ready" and "turn-key".
I often read and reread “Create A Great Deal: The Art of Real Estate Negotiation” by Tim Burrell. I don’t just pull numbers from the air with my buyers for offers, I provide a market snapshot that I call a "surface scrape", prior to having a conversation with my client about the details of an offer. I also have access to our brokerage's data that we share internally that tracks the following offer details: due diligence & earnest money amount, cash or financed. I am all about providing data and knowledge to my clients, so that they make a well-informed decision. During my conversations with my buyer clients, we discuss how many days until the settlement meeting, how much due diligence or earnest money, etc., and if cash or what type of loan types are appealing to the sellers, in this robust real estate market. It pays to know as much as you can before placing an offer. I build a relationship with the other agent, so that there is a win-win situation for all, and we all work for the best interests of our clients together in harmony, navigating the process to closing with dignity, grace and respect to all.
What I find most important for my clients is to protect their best interests at all times and to sometimes protect them from themselves. And that is why I always default back to providing as much information about the process of purchasing or selling real estate. When placing the offer for my buyer, I just don’t take a shot in the dark and send off a blind email to the seller agent. I always make sure I find out if there is anything the sellers may find more favorable in an offer, so that my buyer's offer is accepted.
Not only do I know a lot of other real estate agents, but I have a very good reputation with them. My reputation of being fair and collaborative, while looking out for my clients' best interest, assists my clients. Agents enjoy working with me at this respectful professional level. And should I not have a relationship with another agent, I build that positive professional relationship prior to sending an offer.
At the end of the day both buyers and sellers have different needs, but sometimes they are exactly the same. I have a list of vetted professionals that assist my clients, and I am always happy to refer them to anyone, even if they are not a client. I am able to refer to the following professionals: landscapers, painters, professional home staggering, interior designers, contractors and more!
A PEOPLE’S AGENT
An underappreciated value of a great REALTOR® is one who acts as a mediator to all. It is an invaluable skill to have the skills of a mediator and to help all parties in the buying and selling decision. I keep everyone on the same page at all times, so no one is left out. I make sure everyone is in the loop during the process. If my client wants another party included in the process, for example, a friend or advisor, I make sure to include them on all communication and decisions. I do not take lightly the purchase of land or a residential property. I am honored that my clients trust me to walk them through the process and guide them with my knowledge and expertise.
I am honored to be on the Grievance Committee of the Durham Regional Association of Realtors. We review all complaints of real estate agents and see if those complaints align with the Code of Ethics. This is the level on which I operate, and I appreciate the honor to serve. My mission in my profession is to assist with raising the approval rating for REALTORS®. As I always say, working with me is like the relationship a business has with a CPA. I operate at that "Trusted Advisor" level.
At the end of the day both buyers and sellers have different needs, but sometimes they are exactly the same. I have a list of vetted professionals that assist my clients, and I am always happy to refer them to anyone, even if they are not a client. I am able to refer to the following professionals: landscapers, painters, professional home staggering, interior designers, contractors and more!
A PEOPLE’S AGENT
An underappreciated value of a great REALTOR® is one who acts as a mediator to all. It is an invaluable skill to have the skills of a mediator and to help all parties in the buying and selling decision. I keep everyone on the same page at all times, so no one is left out. I make sure everyone is in the loop during the process. If my client wants another party included in the process, for example, a friend or advisor, I make sure to include them on all communication and decisions. I do not take lightly the purchase of land or a residential property. I am honored that my clients trust me to walk them through the process and guide them with my knowledge and expertise.
I am honored to be on the Grievance Committee of the Durham Regional Association of Realtors. We review all complaints of real estate agents and see if those complaints align with the Code of Ethics. This is the level on which I operate, and I appreciate the honor to serve. My mission in my profession is to assist with raising the approval rating for REALTORS®. As I always say, working with me is like the relationship a business has with a CPA. I operate at that "Trusted Advisor" level.
I am here for you. From the first time I meet with my clients, I work very hard to become a trusted partner, so that in the end we reach, if not surpass, their goals. Our clients receive our "Signature Listing Service" for sellers or the "White Glove Service" for buyers. I stand behind everything we do at our company, with the goal to leave the world a better place than when we started while increasing the quality of life of our clients one house at a time.
CLICK HERE to learn more about our company. Contact me today and let's get the conversion started.
CLICK HERE to learn more about our company. Contact me today and let's get the conversion started.
