5 Things That Don’t Matter as Much as You Might Think When Hiring a Real Estate Agent
As the saying goes, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But when you’re hiring a real estate agent, it can be easy to
6 Things to Say to Your Agent Before They Go on Vacation (So They Can Actually Relax for Once)
There’s almost never a perfect time for a real estate agent to take a vacation. The market doesn’t pause, offers don’t wait, and (hopefully!) there’s always at least a few buyers somewhere between “just looking” and “let’s write it up.” Even a quick weekend getaway usually involves checking emails in the airport lounge and making sure the phone is charged just in case something big pops up.
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.
