I was talking with my father the other day – a mutual acquaintance had called us both, an agent in a different city who in the course of conversation was bragging about his success, that he had just brought on his second Buyer’s agent.
My father was adamant: he would never want to list his house with someone who separates Buyers and Sellers to different people. Last time Dad sold a house, he listed with a guy who just lists and lists and lists and passes off all buyers to his team. Pop’s impression was that his agent listed his house and was never seen from again. I have a feeling there were major lack of communication issues there, but regardless, that’s how he sees it.
I was trying to explain the division of labor and the reasons behind having a team set up that way, but he wouldn’t hear of it. No way, he says. I want to list my house with the people who work with Buyers. Those are the people who know house values and are more likely to know a large group of Buyers who might want my home.
We didn’t get to finish that conversation, but it was something that got me thinking. Should we be specialists? Or more well-rounded? In a successful growing business, you eventually run into human limits and have to hire help in order to satisfy growing demand. So does Team Housechick have a listing specialist and buyer specialists? Or do I create a couple of mini-me’s who can handle either side with ease? And more importantly, what’s best for the consumer?
(and then – can I hire a dude under team housechick? what if they turn out to be ill-tempered? have i limited myself to only half of the agent population?)
