What are homebuyers looking for when they partner with a real estate agent? It isn’t simply a matter of wanting a companion on the house hunt to help answer questions about properties. It’s much more than that.
When it comes to hiring an agent, homebuyers are looking for an expert — someone who can help shepherd them through the entire home-buying process with as few snags or glitches as possible.
As a real estate agent, one of your most valuable assets is your ability to make industry connections that will benefit not only you but also your client. Happy clients make referrals, come back to you the next time they need a home and bolster your reputation as an agent, so making your clients happy should be your number one priority.
By creating a partnership with a trusted mortgage broker, you can help your clients streamline the homebuying process. If you’ve been in the industry for a while, it’s likely that you already know of several lenders in your area that your clients have used.
You probably have your favorites — very likely, they have personalities that are easy to work with, clear lines of communication and commitment to the customer.
By creating a symbiotic relationship with a broker who exhibits consistent speed and responsiveness, you’ll be a hero to your client who needs home financing. Here are a few qualities to look for when choosing a broker with whom to partner.
1. Excellent communication
Thorough communication is the most important service a broker can deliver. Homebuyers are often anxious about where they stand in the process of obtaining a loan.
They want a clear idea of when they can expect final loan approval, and by partnering with a broker who is a good communicator, you will be able to help facilitate your client’s awareness of the loan process.
Great brokers regularly communicate via phone and email, notify you and your client of any changes or developments in the process and get back to you immediately with answers to questions and inquiries.
2. Experience and knowledge
A good mortgage broker has helped clients in all types of financial circumstances obtain mortgage loans. With a comprehensive base of industry knowledge and a broad understanding of the different types of loans available, a good broker can make financing work for your client even if it means getting a little creative.
3. Honesty and integrity
These qualities might seem self-evident, but professionals in any industry must exhibit such characteristics to successfully maintain a client base.
A homebuyer is poised to make arguably the most significant purchase of his or her life and will want to be able to trust the professionals who are helping to facilitate it.
In the long-term, forging a partnership with a mortgage broker can add a crucial component to the services that you provide your clients.
The relationship that you establish will prove mutually beneficial and can help you stand out as an agent with a reputation for successfully closing deals and keeping clients happy.
Chip is the president, CEO and founder of the Poli Mortgage Group, Inc. Chip has 20 years of experience in the real estate industry and has been consistently ranked in the top 1 percent of mortgage originators in the country.