Communication Is Crucial
Should you bother your agent with small details such as the fact that you don’t like where they put the signboard?
While lack of good offers is the main reason for vendors changing agents, there are usually issues that have arisen before this point is arrived at. Often these are small things that vendors don’t bother talking about, but they are part of the overall relationship – or lack of it.
Communication is a two-way street. Time and money lost by changing agents may be avoided if agents and sellers talk to each other more often and more frankly. Poor communication usually affects sales outcomes, especially if the relationship breaks down completely.
Vendors should communicate all comments and queries from the word go, as the first couple of weeks of marketing can set the scene for a positive relationship – or its opposite.
The problem is that many of the issues that arise seem at the time too trivial to mention – the signboard is in the wrong spot, the agent keeps bringing purchasers in through the side balcony door instead of the front door, or perhaps s/he turns up with a purchaser with only sixty minutes’ notice instead of several hours.
These issues may not seem like much at the time but often add up to lack of confidence in the agent, especially if the market is quiet and there aren’t many inspections.
Many people prefer to grumble amongst themselves rather than confront the agent with a small gripe, but professional agents will want to get it right and will appreciate your input – especially when done in a spirit of goodwill.
They understand that although they sell houses every day, most of their clients will do it only a few times in a lifetime and that they find it very stressful.
Many people find it hard to be assertive until something happens that is serious enough to make them lose their temper – and by then the relationship is hard to salvage.
While it’s up to the agent to check whether the vendor is happy with the way the inspections are progressing, vendors can help by mentioning the little things and giving the agent a chance to get it right in the long term interests of a successful sale.