Comparing and Contrasting Buyer and Listing Agents

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Comparing and Contrasting Buyer and Listing Agents

 We get asked questions all the time about whether working as a buyer agent or a listing agent is the right path. It really comes down to your personality and skill set, and depending on where your strengths lie, that's the type of agent you should be. Let's start with listing agents.

Being a listing agent is probably the best place to be in a transaction from the standpoint that you are controlling the sale and what happens. An important aspect of being a listing agent is getting listings, and if you can have a stream of 5-10 listings constantly as a listing agent, you will have a predictable stream of income. That predictable stream of income is one of the biggest advantages of being a listing agent. The kind of personality or skill set to be this type of agent is a person who:

• Has no problem making presentations to sellers
• Experienced Prospector
• Comfortable with using online marketing to list homes and able to adapt to new technology on the fly

Conversely, somebody who works as a buyer's agent has an entirely different skill set. They have to enjoy people, enjoy selling homes, and enjoy showing homes to potential buyers. A buyer's agent also needs to have the patience to deal with a client over a long period of time. There are times where you show properties over a few months to potential buyers. It can be frustrating, so you have to overcome that frustrating that comes sometimes.

One thing that's happening today is more agents using exclusive buyer-agent agreements. It's a good idea to get the agreement in writing, as it will help preserve your income while also ensuring that your clients stick with you throughout the process of finding them the perfect home. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call. We'd love to answer them for you.