Real estate market changed real estate agents’ responsibilities

Real estate market changed real estate agents’ responsibilities
NEWARK – Sept. 19, 2011 – The weak housing market and the economic downturn have forced real estate agents to add therapist and life counselor to their job description, as the buying and selling process becomes more emotional. They must have more patience and savvy to close deals in the current market. Some have even turned to bank-owned properties to ensure a more straightforward process.

“Most of my time is spent fielding phone calls and also calling other people to make sure they’re okay – emotionally okay – and making sure their financing situation is holding. It’s very, very different,” says Roberta Baldwin, agent-owner of Montclair, N.J.-based Keller Williams NJ Metro Group.

Agents must deal with clients calling about job losses and asking for advice, as well as voicing their concerns about declining home values.

Experts say agents shouldn’t let clients’ negative attitudes drag them down, but they must take care to listen and be upfront about current market conditions.

Rich Levin, a productivity consultant, says, “The agent needs to be the source of both solid information so people look to them, but also optimism.”

Source: Newark Star-Ledger (NJ) (09/18/11) Portlock, Sarah