Agents know what they signed up for—it’s part of the job to keep things moving from afar. That’s why most will set up coverage, pack the laptop, and mentally prepare to write an offer from a balcony with questionable Wi-Fi if needed. But even with all the prep, being miles away from a client in the middle of their home search can still be a little nerve-wracking.

So if you want to be the kind of buyer who helps their agent actually relax (at least for an afternoon or two), here are six things you can say before they head out.

1) “I promise not to go to any open houses without telling you.”

And if you do find yourself popping into one, just remember: even if the listing agent offers to “go ahead and write it up,” it’s always best to reach out to your agent.

Yes, even if they’re somewhere between beach time and happy hour, they’d rather handle it themselves than have you represented by someone you just met next to a cookie tray.

2) “If I see a FSBO, I’ll walk right past it like it’s haunted.”

But if one does catch your eye, just jot down the number. Your agent will be glad to call the owner, confirm that it’s not (in fact) haunted, and line up a proper showing when they get back.

3) “I won’t call the listing agent, no matter how friendly their headshot looks.”

If a home catches your attention, resist the urge to reach out directly. Your agent knows how to gather the right information, ask the important questions, and keep your best interests front and center—even if they’re answering from under a patio umbrella.

4) “I saved your backup agent’s info in my phone and added a note that says ‘only call if truly necessary.”

Your agent will probably arrange for some backup support while they’re away, just in case—but letting them know you’ll use it sparingly shows you trust their process and respect their time. That said…don’t hesitate to call them to show you a property you want to see, or handle an issue that comes up with your purchase!

5) “I’ve been practicing my DocuSign skills so I’m a pro if I need to sign on the fly.”

Nothing soothes an agent’s soul like knowing you’re ready to e-sign an offer or important closing documents quickly and confidently—even from your phone, the back of an Uber, or mid Target run.

6) “Have fun! Relax! You deserve a vacation…

Agents work long hours and rarely get a true day off. They want to be there for you every step of the way, especially knowing how important this purchase is. With clients in all stages of their journey, it’s tough for them to fully unplug. So just hearing that you appreciate how hard it is for them to relax can actually help them do exactly that—take a real break and recharge.

The post 6 Things to Say to Your Agent Before They Go on Vacation (So They Can Actually Relax for Once) appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.

But who are these people? Are they serious buyers? Nostalgic browsers? Just folks who can’t resist grabbing something free on their way out the door? Considering most serious buyers are refreshing their internet browser by the minute to make sure they see the latest listings on their screen in real time, these brochures have to be getting scooped up by some unlikely suspects.

Here’s a tongue-in-cheek list of people who might just be grabbing them off the rack, and keeping these magazines in business:

1) The Swatter

They didn’t come for a real estate magazine—they came to buy eggs and bread. But now, a rogue bee has decided to harass them as they head toward the automatic doors, and they need something to swat it away.

Fortunately, the free listing magazine becomes the perfect impromptu defense mechanism. Whether or not they actually read it after the battle is anyone’s guess.

2) The Collector

People collect all sorts of things—vintage postcards, antique spoons, fast-food toys from the ‘90s. So is it really that far-fetched to think someone out there has an ever-growing archive of free real estate magazines?

Maybe they appreciate the changing home prices over time, or maybe they just like the glossy pages. Either way, they’re grabbing a fresh copy every month, carefully adding it to the stack, and refusing to throw out old ones because “they might be worth something someday.”

3) The Stealthy Neighbor Dodger

Some people will do anything to avoid getting roped into a 20-minute recap of someone’s cousin’s dog’s surgery. Back in the COVID era, avoiding a chatty neighbor at the grocery store was easy—just mask up, keep your head down, and mumble something about being cautious.

But now? No built-in excuse. Now people have to get more creative. So perhaps the magazines are being scooped up by people when they see the car of their chatterbox neighbor in the lot to be used strategically as a handheld mask they can look engrossed in.

4) Other Agents

They claim they’re just “keeping up with the market,” but let’s be real—they’re checking out the competition. They’re scanning ads, critiquing headshots, and wondering if their own marketing is standing out.

If another agent’s listing looks suspiciously overpriced, you bet they’re mumbling to themselves about how they would never take an overpriced listing. And if they did, they certainly wouldn’t be wasting money on an ad for it in this magazine!

5) The Out-of-Towner

They’re just visiting—maybe on vacation, maybe back in their old stomping grounds. But these are prime targets for the real estate magazine to lure in. They’ll flip through, calculating how much house they could get here compared to back home, and by the time they reach page six, they’ve convinced themselves they could totally move here.

Will they? Probably not. If they do, will they call the agent who advertised in the magazine. Doubtful. But for now, the fantasy is alive.

The post 5 Funny Theories for Who Actually Picks up Those Free Real Estate Magazines at the Grocery Store appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.

It can go from a casual remark someone makes to a full existential crisis in a matter of seconds. On the surface the agent may look like it’s all business as usual, carrying on a conversation about the house they’re showing, or going over their listing presentation. But deep down they’re grappling with a psychological journey that closely resembles the five stages of grief.

How long does this process take? Sometimes mere minutes. Other times, the emotional damage lingers until you’re staring at a picture of your competition on a bus stop ad, wondering where it all went wrong.

Here’s how it unfolds:

1) Denial – “No, no… I’m sure they meant it nicely.”

Technically speaking, “different” isn’t necessarily a bad thing! They could mean you look way better than your headshot. Of course, they could have meant the exact opposite. But, for now, in stage one, it’s better to ignore the potentially negative connotation.

2) Anger – “Wait… just how bad is my headshot?!”

Unfortunately, stage one can only last for so long. Eventually you find yourself replaying the words in your mind, but now they sound different. You start to panic and wonder if your headshot is actively driving away business. You start to imagine people saying things like, “They really have a face for radio, they should’ve become a deejay instead of an agent.” Despite the fact that nobody has ever actually thought that, let alone said that, you get angry at how people can be so mean.

3) Bargaining – “Maybe I can tweak it just enough to fool everyone.”

This is where the mental gymnastics begin. You’re not quite ready to admit defeat, so you start exploring “fixes.” A new filter. A strategic crop. Maybe you casually update your LinkedIn photo, hoping no one notices that your business cards and online profiles now feature two entirely different versions of you. What if I just… slowly phase in new pictures like a rebrand?

4) Depression – “My headshot is a lie, and everyone knows it.”

Reality sets in. Your headshot is practically a historical artifact at this point. Your face is out there, frozen in time, living on signage, brochures, and that one local magazine ad you can’t take back. You start reminiscing about the day you took it—back when you had hope, a fresh haircut, and a dream. Now, all that remains is this outdated version of yourself, printed on thousands of postcards, forever reminding you of your poor choices in lighting and angles.

5) Acceptance – “That’s it. I’m getting a new headshot… and therapy.”

After scrolling through your website with fresh eyes (and fresh horror), you reach the inevitable conclusion: It’s time for a professional intervention. You book a session with a photographer, practice your “friendly but professional” expression in the mirror, and vow to never let your headshot age more than three years again. And most importantly, you seek therapy to prepare yourself for the next time someone inevitably says: “Oh wow, you look so different from your headshot!”

The post “Oh No, Is My Headshot That Bad?” (A Real Estate Agent’s Emotional Journey) appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.

To be fair, it’s certainly not as extreme as some jobs can be in the extreme cold! But when the temperature drops to face-numbing levels, even the simplest of real estate tasks can turn into unexpected adventures.

Here’s a peek at 3 surprising things agents have to deal with when it’s bone-chilling cold outside:

1) Frozen Lockboxes

Years ago, agents had to fumble with combination dials like they were cracking a safe in the Arctic in order to access the keys to a house. Fortunately most lockboxes work electronically now, but sometimes the key dispenser gets frozen in place which can take a fair share of banging from a nearby rock in order to get it to budge.

But even then, the fun isn’t always over… Sometimes the key is frozen inside the lockbox and you have to chisel it out of a block of ice!

2) Frozen Front Yards

When front yards freeze, good luck getting “for sale” signs in or out of the ground! New listing? That “For Sale” sign isn’t going anywhere. Closing day? The buyers may be stuck gazing at that sign on their front lawn until the first signs of spring.

However, there are some weathered agents (pun intended) who actually carry around drills in order to make starters holes for their signs.

3) Showing Houses That Feel Like Walk-in Freezers

Agents often have to show bank-owned homes that are completely vacant and have the utilities turned off because they were foreclosed. Somehow these houses can feel even colder than it is outside! The upshot is that it can actually make it seem tolerable outside… at least for a few minutes.

The post 3 Surprising Things Real Estate Agents Have to Deal With When It’s Bone-Chilling Cold Outside appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.

Becoming a real estate agent can sound like the ultimate dream job. So you might find yourself intrigued by the “Now Hiring!” sign on a local broker’s window, or an ad they place online.

Before you get too excited, there’s something you should know…
Much like the word “cozy” is an agent’s polite way of describing a small house, brokers, managers, and recruiters tend to have some words that might make things sound better than they are in reality.

Let’s take a look at a typical ad, full of enticing promises:

Sounds pretty great, right? The type of ad that makes you think, “Wow, I could do that!” But wait—before you go grab your keys and jump into the nearest training program, let’s break down what they actually mean by decoding what they mean in that fake (but fairly accurate) list of promises brokers often make in their ad:

1) No Experience Needed!

Translation: That’s right! You don’t need experience in real estate to get started… just a love for paperwork, long hours, and dealing with people who think Zillow is a magic 8-ball for pricing.

But you’ll quickly learn that experience—and a ton of training—is the difference between success and total overwhelm. (Oh, and you might constantly be having to address how much experience you have with potential clients for the first 5-7 years before people stop asking and feel like you have enough of it.)

2) Flexible Hours – YOU Control Your Schedule!

Translation: Sure, if by “flexible” you mean you’re available when buyers and sellers need you—24/7. You won’t have a 9-to-5, but you’re also not necessarily living life on your own terms. Be prepared to work nights, weekends, and anytime your clients decide it’s convenient to call or text you.

3) Earn UP TO $100,000 in your FIRST YEAR with Unlimited Earning Potential!

Translation: “Up to” is the key phrase here. Could it happen? Sure. Is it likely? Not really. Most new agents will struggle to reach that number in their first year—or even their fifth year! Making six figures is certainly possible, but for many agents, it’s a distant dream, not a guarantee no matter how many years they’ve been in business.

4) Work From Anywhere!

Translation: Not only is this an option (as they make it sound), but it’s also a requirement! You WILL work from anywhere. But mostly in your car or at the kitchen counter while you scarf down dinner between showings.

Heck, you can even find yourself working poolside at an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean while on vacation! So make sure that the wi-fi and copy machine are part of the all-inclusive before you book your trip… if you somehow manage to take a proper vacay.

5) Work With Different People All The Time—No Workday Is The Same!

Translation: This one’s actually pretty spot on. You’ll meet tons of new people—some will become long-term clients, while others will disappear on you like they entered the witness protection program after spending months helping them without ever buying or selling a house with you.

Your day will never look the same, but sometimes that means dealing with clients who flake, buyers who change their minds, or sellers who don’t understand why their house isn’t flying off the market at their asking price.

6) Be Your Own Boss!

Translation: Technically true, but let’s be honest: you’re still working for your clients. You’re also subject to whatever whims buyers, sellers, and their random “advisors” (a.k.a. parents or distant relatives) decide to throw your way. Being your own boss in real estate means you’re in charge of your success—and also at the mercy of everyone else’s schedule and expectations.

7) Help Make Dreams Come True!

Translation: Sometimes. Other times, you’ll be helping clients mediate petty arguments over paint colors, or explaining why a $200K budget can’t land them the 4-bedroom mansion they’re imagining. Your “dream-making” ability will often involve a lot of managing expectations and helping clients understand reality.

But hey, when you do close a deal, it does feel like making a dream come true… for everyone involved.

None of this is to say you shouldn’t become an agent, because it can be an extremely fun and rewarding career! It just means that not only should you read the fine print before signing up to become an agent, you should also read between the lines as well.

The post Decoding ‘Now Hiring’ Ads: What They Really Mean for Aspiring Real Estate Agents appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.

While your agent is surely right there with you and chiming in with their take on the house, they’re also likely sizing up the situation in entirely different ways you might not even realize. Agents are often looking for certain clues that could make or break the deal if you decide to make an offer.

Here are five things real estate agents take note of while showing a house, just in case their client is interested in making an offer on it:

1) How Many Business Cards Were Left by Other Buyer’s Agents

Buyer’s agents often leave their business card behind to let the owner and the listing agent know that they were there. You might not notice them, but your agent is likely checking out how many business cards were left by other agents to gauge how many showings there have been, and how much potential competition you might be facing.

2) Which Agents Left Their Card

They may even take a closer peek at the business cards to see which agents have shown the property so they know who they’re up against in the negotiation ring if there are multiple offers.

3) Subtle Signs of Packing

Boxes tucked away in the garage, half-empty closets, or some missing furniture that they saw in the listing photos are all things your agent may notice, which could be subtle signs that the sellers are already packing up. It may just be that they’re getting a head start on their inevitable move, but it could also be a sign that they’re highly motivated, which is good to know when negotiating.

4) Signs That Someone Has Already Packed

If it looks like one family member’s clothes are conspicuously missing from the closet, or there’s only one toothbrush in the en suite bathroom, yet the tax records indicate two people own the home, that will be something an agent picks up on. It could just be that one of them has already moved due to a job relocation and their significant other will move once the house is sold… but it could also be a sign that they’re splitting up. Either way, it gives your agent insight into the seller’s situation and could be a sign that they’re motivated to make a deal.

5) Any Indication About the Seller’s Occupation

Seeing signs of a seller’s occupation—whether it’s a home office that looks like it belongs to a sales person, or a degree on the wall that indicates they’re a doctor, lawyer, or a teacher—can be more than just a fun fact. Your agent can use this info to get a feel for who they’re dealing with, and tailor how they present your offer and handle negotiations.

The post 5 Things Your Buyer’s Agent Notices When They Walk Into a Home… and Why appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.

Then they usually get some training through the company they join, which is definitely more useful in terms of teaching them the ins and outs of working with clients.

But there are some things agents aren’t taught in either or those settings — yet, somehow, every agent seems to say or do certain things as if it were straight out of a new agent handbook.

Here are 7 unwritten rules that every agent follows, without having been taught:

1) Low-Key Stalking Open House Visitors

If you walk into an open house, there’s a 99.9%* chance the agent will instinctually say, “Feel free to look around, and just let me know if you have any questions.”

This implied freedom open house visitors feel will be short lived, however, because there’s also a 99.9%* chance they will then proceed to follow them around the house, just close enough to seem helpful, but far enough to avoid looking like a stalker.

It’s a delicate art of looking super casual, while trying to keep an eye on strangers roaming through a house you’re in charge of, and not so creepy that they won’t want to become their client.

(*These very specific percentages are 100% made up…)

2) Trying to Remember Which Lights the Owner Left On

No real estate agent leaves a showing without muttering to themselves, “Did I turn off all the lights?” There’s a ritual to it: a quick mental scan of every room, followed by a once-over of the house that may include retracing steps, flicking a switch or two just to be sure, while questioning whether that one hallway light was on or off when you arrived. This process may be repeated up to three times, just to be sure, even if it means being late to the next appointment.

3) Putting Some Lipstick on a Pig sty

When a potential seller opens the door to let an agent in to do a listing presentation, they somehow manage to hone in on something about the house to compliment within the first 30 seconds. The place could be an outdated pig sty, but they’ll still find some way to make it sound like the most amazing place they’ve seen in their career.

4) The FSBO Headshake

When driving by a “For Sale by Owner” sign, all real estate agents mutter, “Good luck with that,” followed by a disgusted shake of the head. This is often accompanied by a sigh or a quick prayer that the seller will soon come to their senses and call a professional… preferably them.

5) Point out Every House They’ve Sold…

Drive through any neighborhood with an agent, and you’ll inevitably hear, “I sold that house.” Often followed by, “And that one,” if you’re riding with a top producer. It’s a point of pride — a little victory lap as they mentally catalog their territory. If nobody is actually in the car with them, they’ll simply turn their head and look at it in silent recognition.

6) …or Even Ones They Didn’t Sell!

Honestly, if you’re in a car with an agent, they’ll probably point out houses you pass by, even if they merely showed the property to a buyer who never ended up buying it. For added credibility, they’ll mention something specific about the home, like the gourmet kitchen, the quirky layout, or that their buyer took a pass because of the funky smell in the basement.

7) Patting Their Pockets, and Jiggling the Locks

As agents leave a house after showing it to a buyer, they must:

• Triple-check to make sure the door is locked
• Pat their pockets to confirm they have their phone
• Make sure they didn’t leave the keypad they use to open lockboxes inside the house
• Jiggle the lockbox to make sure the key is secure

Having done all of that, there’s always that nagging feeling that something’s been left open, even though they just checked. In extreme cases, agents may even turn back after pulling out of the driveway, just to give the front door one last tug.

The post Unwritten Laws of Real Estate: 7 Things Agents Do Without Being Taught appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.

Typically, people will ask something like:

• “How’s the market?”
• “Any good deals on the market right now?”
• “Do you know how much the house on ________ Street sold for?”

Of course an agent will gladly answer those, or any other real estate related questions you might have, while you wait for your turn at the register.

But if you want to make it more fun and memorable, here’s a list of 5 off-the-wall questions you can ask an agent in line at the grocery store to spice up their day:

1) “How much do you think this grocery store is worth?”

People often ask agents for on-the-spot values of their house, expecting agents to be able to give them an accurate estimate without even seeing the place. But probably be the first person to ever ask an agent to come up with a fair market value for the grocery store!

2) “Is it annoying that you have to look at your competition’s face on the grocery cart?”

Real estate agents are pros at working with their competition in order to help their respective clients achieve their goals. But how do they truly feel when they have to see a rival agent’s smiling mug plastered across a grocery cart, claiming to be the best agent in town?!

Let’s see if they’ll confess to giving those carts a little “extra push” down the parking lot, or at least covering up the ad with a stack of canned goods so they don’t have to stare at it for 18 aisles!

3) “Are those real estate brochures up to date, or are they still the ones from 1988?”

Who still looks at real estate brochures when you can see any house for sale online?! For that matter, who are the agents paying to keep those things in print?! The odds of the agent you’re talking to being one of them are slim, but not zero…

It’ll be hilarious if they still spend money advertising in them, and you end up making them question their marketing plan.

4) “How often do people mistake you for the manager of this store with that name tag on?”

When you wear a name tag as confidently as a real estate agent does, you’re bound to be asked where the canned peas are. Dig a little deeper and ask the agent if they’ve ever tried to fire someone due to a customer complaint they received.

5) “Are you holding an open house, or do you plan on eating all of those cookies you’re buying?”

Make sure to really emphasize the word “all” in this question, just to make them think twice before scoffing down an entire package of Chips Ahoy on the way home from grocery shopping.

The post 5 Off-the-Wall Questions To Ask a Real Estate Agent in Line at the Grocery Store appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.

But the reality is, succeeding as an agent on any level is quite an accomplishment!

In order to even have a chance at succeeding as a real estate agent, there are certain traits and skills a person needs to naturally have, or train until they get really good at them.

While being in great physical shape isn’t required, there are 6 athletic events that would be a great addition to the real estate licensing exam, to see if a person will have what it takes to compete on a physical, mental, and emotional level:

1) The High Dive

Agents who plan on dipping their toe in and testing the water are a lot less likely to succeed than one who gets a running start and fearlessly leaps in, fully committed to the business.
The high dive would be a great test of an agent’s fearlessness, and whether they’re ready to dive into their career headfirst.

2) The High Jump

When a client says, “Jump!”, a great agent instinctively asks, “How high?” However, a successful agent also knows there are limits to just how high they should try and jump for some clients.

It’s one thing to clear a high bar set by a reasonable and appreciative client, but there are some times when you need to tell a client their expectations are way too high.

3) Surfing

Agents spend a lot of time surfing the multiple listing service trying to find their buyers the perfect house, and researching market values for their sellers, often while in the middle of several other tasks.

Having agents actually surf, while trying to get ready for an appointment-filled day, would test an agent’s ability to stay balanced while multitasking, keeping cool under pressure, and riding the wave of the market’s ups and downs.

4) The 100-Yard Dash

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a buyers’ market, or a sellers’ market, when a well-priced listing hits the market, it’s important that you get your buyers in to see a house before another buyer and their agent beat you to it.

But it isn’t just about being able to win a 100-yard sprint, it’s about having the stamina to do it across 100 actual yards, because sometimes it takes showing a buyer that many homes before they buy one! You don’t need to win every heat, but you need to be able to stay in the race until you win one with each and every buyer…

5) Hurdles

Rarely is there a day, week, year, or transaction that an agent doesn’t have to clear a major hurdle or two. Coupled with the fact that agents usually have several deals going at the same time, they’re almost constantly leaping over challenges with grace and agility. And in the moments where one trips them up, they need to be able to get back up and finish the race anyway.

6) Balance Beam

Finding work/life balance is difficult for many people, regardless of their profession. But it can be even more difficult for an agent, since much of their clientele need their time and attention during the evenings and weekends, in addition to all of the work they need to get done during “normal” working hours.

If a prospective agent can demonstrate the ability to stay balanced and focused on the task at hand, and then gracefully dismount for some downtime with their friends and family, there’s a good chance they’ll have the composure to succeed in real estate.

The post 6 Athletic Events That Should Be Part Of The Real Estate Licensing Exam appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.

No matter how much an agent wants to swipe down and ignore a suspicious number — after unsuccessfully hitting up Google to see who it is, of course — they still feel obligated to answer every call that comes in. They never know if it’s someone who may be calling about one of their listings, and ignoring it wouldn’t be fair to their seller.

Perhaps it’s one of their buyers who has an important question and is calling from a work phone. Or, what if it’s a potential new client someone referred them to with the promise that they’re very reliable and responsive? Not answering wouldn’t leave a good first impression…

So, as you can imagine, real estate agents answer the phone for all sorts of callers on a daily basis! Here’s a look at 5 types of phone calls agents end up answering on a regular basis, that most other people are able to just ignore:

1) Telemarketers

Not that telemarketers are any more successful in selling agents anything…

… but those people calling about your vehicle’s extended warranty — or on behalf of the local fraternal order of police — at least get their call answered and a friendly “Hello?” when they happen to call an agent.

2) Politicians

Somehow politicians have been allowed to continue calling anyone they want without fear of being fined for hitting up someone on the do-not-call list.

But that doesn’t mean their phone calls get answered. But the minute their robodialer hits the number of an agent, the chances of them hearing a voice on the other end of the line go up exponentially.

3) Fax Machines

Who even owns a fax machine anymore, right?! Well, believe it or not, some agents still have them because there are occasions when you need to send or receive a fax from someone involved in a transaction.

But that doesn’t make it any less surprising when they answer their phone and hear the “Screeeeeech-be-do-beeep!” from some random robocall center using a fax-attack method of marketing.

4) Middle School and High School Kids

Kids these days prefer texting over talking, but that doesn’t mean they’ve lost their taste for a good old-fashioned prank call! But they’ve gotten more sophisticated about it, using the apps and tools available to help them mask their identity.

While other targets may just let the suspicious call go unanswered, if they prank an agent, there’s a good chance they’ll get to ask if it’s the correct number for Ima Wiener.

5) Wrong Numbers

And of course there’s always just the basic “wrong number” calls that come in. In this day and age of saved numbers and links you can click online it’s hard to believe anyone is actually dialing a number, but it happens, and agents are always there to answer the call when it does.

The post 5 Types of Phone Calls Real Estate Agents Answer Regularly (That Most Other People Just Ignore) appeared first on Lighter Side of Real Estate.