In many areas of this country, there is no shortage of licensed real estate agents, yet, we often, witness, some, who are merely, going through the motions, rather than, taking their responsibilities, duties, etc, seriously, and helping, buyers and sellers, reach a well – considered, mutually satisfied, meeting – of – the minds. While every client and customer, has certain unique needs, priorities, goals, etc, a quality agent, recognizes, he has, both, a legal, and ethical responsibility, to doing what’s right, consistently, rather than merely what might be expedient, and/ or easy! With that in mind, therefore, this article will attempt to briefly, examine, consider, discuss, and review, some of these basic responsibilities, and why, customers and clients, deserve quality, responsible, responsive, relevant service, and representation.
1. Fiduciary: Both ethically (according to the Code of Ethics, of nearly all realtor organizations, as well as most state’s real estate laws), and, morally, an agent must realize, he has a fiduciary responsibility, to his clients. This means, he must protect a client’s privacy, and avoid disclosing, any personal items, or reasons, someone might be selling, which might hurt the homeowner’s bottom – line! However, there is a somewhat, fine line, at times, between doing this, and the legal responsibility to disclose, honestly, anything which might be considered, a material issue, etc. Some of those include: material defects; known issues about the area, which might impact values, etc. Protecting, ethically, a client’s needs, include: non – disclosure of the seller’s financial information; stating a client’s time – table, especially if it’s needs – related, etc.
2. Integrity: Agents must demonstrate a clear, commitment, to maintaining their absolute integrity, even, when there might be a temptation, to take a short – cut. Quality representation means, your clients’ best interests, must come first, and any personal benefits, and/ or, self – interest, must never interfere with that focus and intention! Agents must be service – oriented!
3. Responsiveness: How well someone articulates their message, and responds to, the questions, concerns, etc, of, both, their clients, as well as potential buyers, often differentiates between, responsible, responsive agents, and the rest – of – the – pack! Your representative must provide you, with his feedback, and be prepared to give you insights, recommendations, etc.
Before hiring someone, to help you, market, sell, and represent, your home, you should carefully interview, several, to determine, who might best, serve your specific needs, goals and priorities. Since, for most, our house, represents our single – biggest, financial asset, doesn’t this make sense?
