Nothing frustrated me more than the current contentious state of relations between the real estate professionals, the real estate industry and the consumer. Add to that the confusion of all the resources for finding real estate, and the lack of accuracy in some of those resources. Media companies portraying themselves as “service” sites, while selling advertising to real estate professionals, spending to capture and establish trust with consumers, and then in turn selling the consumers contact information to real estate professionals as qualified “leads”.
In some ways it has become a game of who has the biggest budget, who can manipulate the public perception best, and therefore dominate a market. The truth is that service is the core of the real estate transnational process. I have spent the last 8 years helping to educate real estate professional on how to best serve the needs of their clients, through clear and concise communications, client education meetings, mutual expectation discussions and more.
Being a Consumer Advocate
During this process I have long wanted to address the consumers, the sellers and purchasers of real estate, to help facilitate a positive experience, and revise the public perception of what a “Real Estate Agent (Broker/Associate, etc)” is. I believe that time has come, if not past, and as I see more predatory methods being used to monetize the listings of real property, the native distrust of the real estate professional by many consumers only allows those seeking to profit more opportunity.
There comes a point in time when the curtain needs to be pulled back and the “wizard” behind exposed for all to see the truth. The goal of EstateSocial.com is to pull that curtain back, to discuss the industry, the process, to help remove misconceptions and prevent misunderstandings between consumers and professionals.
There is so much more to the business of real estate than the two aspects of the professional and the consumer (or client). There is the brokerage model – and how the business of a real estate brokerage works. There are many models and agents/licensees decide who to associate with. By shining a spotlight on the industry and the process the goal of EstateSocial is to facilitate a great understanding and appreciation of what a real estate professional offers a consumer, and to help those professional understand many of the common concerns, or confusion, of the real estate consumer or client.
A Great Divide
There is a disconnect between the real estate consumer and the real estate professional. A great part of that disconnect is the lack of understanding of how the process of buying and selling real estate works.
On the other foot, the real estate professional sometimes forgets the magnitude and impact of a real estate transaction on an individual, couple or family.
Between professional jargon and acronyms, consumers often are lest wondering what is going on. What is a FSBO? What is a CRS? ABR? REALTOR or Realtor or realtor? What is the difference, or is there a different between a realtor, licensed real estate agent, broker, etc.
Many terms are often used interchangeably in various media outlets, when in fact they are not. Consumers need answers, and real estate professionals need reminders of why we all are doing this – as professionals and consumers – to help people.
Customer Satisfaction Starts with Understanding
Real estate, as an industry, is really about customer service and satisfaction. Serving the needs of the client, putting their best interests first in a real estate professional capacity as their representative (aka Agent). The consumer needs to understand that the real estate professional works for them, how they are compensated and why “keeping our options open” when looking for a property is more often a disservice to the consumers needs rather than an advantage.
By facilitating conversation, answer questions and providing explanations, EstateSocial.com hopes to help bridge the gap between consumers and professionals to provide a better understanding, mutual appreciation and less frustration on both sides.
Estate Social is a place for consumers, real estate professionals and conversations between the two. To encourage understanding, compassion and a positive outcome for everyone who buys, sells or transacts real estate in any capacity.
