What do Realtors really do? Do they sell houses? Not really, unless it is a house that they themselves own. Do they put a sign in a sellers yard and go pray that the homes sells so they can collect a check? Some maybe, but not the good ones. No, the good Realtors are much more than that. They make it their mission to guide you through the home buying and/or selling process. It is in much the same way that professional golf caddies team up with golfers to help them win a tournament.
If you know anything at all about golf then you know that a professional golfer is only as good as his caddie. Unlike scratch golfers like myself, most pros know the ends and outs of swinging the club at the ball to make it do just about anything they want it to do. But for those pros a caddie can determine if he/she wins or looses. A caddie does more than just carry the clubs.
A caddie first and foremost knows the clubs and knows the golf course. The caddie knows how far his golfer can usually hit the ball with any given club and will provide the tools and knowledge and any given shot. For sellers, Realtors provide marketing tools and advice to ensure the seller has a good shot at the target audience. For buyers, Realtors provide on-line tools and price tools to ensure the buyer is getting a good house at a fair market value.
In golf, caddies know the golf course from the fairways to greens and utilize this knowledge to help the golfer make the best shot. In real estate, Realtors should have a good knowledge of the local real estate market. They can advise buyers and sellers on the ups and downs of the market, formulate inventive ways to approach the market based on the pin position, or market condition.
Hitting the green is a lot like getting or making an offer on a house. You are almost there, now you just need to make all the right moves to finish off the whole. A little "tappy tap" to "send the ball home." The caddie helps the golfer read the curves and elevation, and then offers advice on the best path to get the ball to the hole. The caddie also usually pulls the pin (flag) to help the golfer stay within the rules of the game. Realtors must do the same thing once an offer on a home is made. In addition to ensuring that everyone stays within the rules, buyers and sellers usually have things that need to be done once a house is under contract.
Ensuring that buyers get proper financing, complete a home inspection and a termite inspection, as well as ensuring the appraisal is completed in a timely manner are just a few "ups and downs" of the elevation of the green that the Realtor must help the buyer read correctly to ensure they get to the closing table.
For sellers, Realtors must help them read the curves of the green as well by ensuring the contract is fulfilled such as making necessary repairs. A good pep talk from the Realtor caddie can help the seller keep a level head throughout so that when they step up to make the putt they do so with confidence and no surprises. Just the beautiful sound of the golf ball hitting the bottom of the cup, or as I like to call it - SOLD!
(Photos courtesy of BBC Sport - Golf)
Michael J. Johnson
843-817-5299
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If you have a home anywhere in the Charleston Metro Area and would like to get more information about selling your home, please contact me for a free home evaluation.
I also work with buyers. If you are interested in more information about buying a home please contact me and I would be glad to meet with you or email you a list of homes.
Michael J. Johnson, Realtor, ABR
843-817-5299
michaeljohnson@carolinaone.com
"Providing the Light to Guide You Home"
Wow, Michael, this was an excellent analogy! I really enjoyed reading this post. Thank you for sharing it with the Blogger's Choice Group. We look forward to reading more material from you in the future. Your post has been featured in the group. :)
Thanks Lola!
Great analogy Mike! I've always told people that I do not SELL real estate. I always get a puzzled look at first. Houses sell themselves when they are in good condition and price right. We advise clients and help them make good decision based on their needs and wants.
Thanks Michele.