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As a Fort Lauderdale Realtor with almost two decades’ experience, my goal is to make sure every buyer and seller I represent is professionally represented. This includes my direct representation of my clients, as well as other buyers in the marketplace.
In a recent edition of Tuesdays With Gary (TWG), we discussed how Realtors who bring a higher level of professionalism to each transaction can improve the customer experience.
Professionalism impacts every touch point of any transaction. From helping my clients find the right property, to preparing to negotiate with them, to hopefully handling the closing.
It also includes watching the work of other agents, what I call their “housekeeping.”
As we’ve discussed in a previous edition of TWG, data entered in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is syndicated to such services as Zillow, Trulia and Realtor.com. What once was a service reserved exclusively for the agent community, the MLS today has been opened – consumerized and democratized for every potential customer to access, review and utilize free of charge.
What if the MLS information entered is wrong – or critical details are not updated? You can have the most powerful technology tool in the market. But to use information technology professional language, if it’s “garbage in,” you’ll get “garbage out.”
If the MLS says a property is “under contract,” has the listing agent included whether any contingencies are in place? Have they been cleared? Has the information been updated? If existing contingencies were removed, the listing then should say the sale is “pending.”
If the MLS isn’t clear, I implore buying agents to call the listing agent to ask. Clients should, too. This isn’t meddling in your agent’s business. It’s how professional realtors can help ensure they have happy customers.
Gary Lanham is team leader for the Gary Lanham Group at Coldwell Banker Real Estate Fort Lauderdale Beach Office. To learn more, visit instagram.com/garylanhamgroup or call 954-695- 6518.
