Things I Will Not Do When You Hire Me

Real estate agents love to tell you all of the things they'll do for you once you hire them to help you buy or sell a home, but here's a list of things I WON'T do when you hire me:

Display only one photo of your house in the Multiple Listing Service.  The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a database in which all REALTORS can post and share their listings with other REALTORs. Once uploaded, the listings are shared with over 10,000 REALTORs in Michigan (who then shares the listings with their clients).  Using the power of Listing Syndication, the homes in the MLS database are also shared with other home listing websites such as Zillow, Trulia, Realtor, and all the major broker websites and home search sites.  Buyers want to see multiple photos, not just one grainy photo of the front of your house. 

Take photos of your home with my phone.  This is just insulting to everyone.  You're not selling a used barbeque grill or a motorcycle.  I promise to use professional-level equipment to take multiple photos of your home using an actual camera and lenses designed to show your home at its best or hire a professional photographer to do this important job.  If your agent starts taking photos of your house with their phone, you're using the wrong agent. 

Lock you into an unbreakable listing agreement.  There is nothing worse than the feeling of being trapped into working with an agent you are not happy with.  I want you to be happy working with me.  

Lie to you and tell you that your home is worth way more than its true value just so that I can win the listing.  Then tell you it's overpriced and make you drop the price after you hire me. In the real estate industry, this dirty little trick is called "Buying the Listing."  Desperate agents use this tactic to get their sign in your yard so they can pick up new business from the buyers who call the number on the sign.  They may not be able to sell your home, but at least they can use your listing to sell someone else's home. 

Disappear after you sign the listing agreement or after the sale.  If you call me I"ll answer the phone (or call you back as soon as I can).  If your friend asks the name of your real estate agent and you can't remember my name, I did something wrong. 

Tell you to skip the home inspection.  Why would I do that?  My job is to protect your interests, and I always feel that it's in your best interest to have a knowledgeable third-party professional check out the home you want to spend thousands of dollars on.