By Sam DeBord

When I started out in the real
estate business, my biggest fear
was probably the same as many
other agents': "What if they ask
me how many homes I've sold?" 
There was an almost inescapable
fear that every new client I met
would find out that I hadn't been
selling for very long, and abandon me for a more
experienced agent.

The interesting part, looking back, was that I've probably only ever been asked that question a half-dozen times by the hundreds of clients I've worked with. Those that did ask, always kept working with me, whether it was in my first year, or after five years. The fact that I didn't lose clients over that single question isn't nearly as satisfying today, though, knowing how much mental stress it put me through in my first year, as well as how it was detrimental to my ability to concentrate on my clients at the start of my career.

Being experienced in real estate is a big advantage. To downplay it would be disingenuous. However, a calm, practiced response to questions about experience can make the real estate transaction much more relaxed for the new agent and to the clients. More importantly, it allows the agent to focus on what the client really wants - a partner who is easy to work with, listens to their needs, and follows up professionally.

It's very easy when you're new in the business to try to craft the perfect answer to every client question. You may feel you need to know everything, and if you can't answer a question about a certain home or property type, you'll be exposed as inexperienced. In reality, most home buyers and sellers would prefer that you have an affable personal relationship with them, and let them know that you'll "look into it a bit and get back to them." While your knowledge is important to the client, your ability to make them feel comfortable is even more important. Nobody likes to spend their day with a fidgety, nervous wreck of an agent. Continue reading »