One of the most important aspects of any real estate transaction is communication. In a market like this one, failure to communicate clearly can cause missed deadlines, transaction delays or just plain unnecessary stress! 

Read on for a couple of communication tips to keep you and your agent on the same page.

Tip #1

Find out how your agent communicates

Ask your agent what you can expect in regards to communication during your transaction. Will you be hearing from them via phone, text, or email? Do they communicate primarily through their assistant or transaction coordinator? 

Additionally, knowing when you can expect updates & check-ins can help reduce confusion. Will your agent reach out every day, once per week, or only with important updates? 

We make sure to reach out to our sellers at least bi-weekly with market updates & more often if we receive important feedback or information we think is relevant.

We reach out to buyers weekly with transaction updates or requests.

Additionally, we promise to respond to messages as quickly as possible, usually within a couple of hours.

Make sure you find out when you can expect to hear from your agent so you’re not left wondering what’s going on.

Tip #2

Make your communication expectations clear

Everyone communicates differently so feel free to tell your agent what you need! Can’t talk on the phone during the day? Request email updates only. Haven’t checked your email since 2001? Tell your agent text is the best way to reach you. We are more than happy to accommodate your preferences!

When we know your expectations, we can make sure to get you important information quickly & efficiently.

Tip #3

Don’t make assumptions

Even if you think you know the answer to your question, it doesn’t hurt to ask. Most people who aren’t in the real estate industry aren’t buying and selling homes on a regular basis and policies & procedures change! It’s better to ask a question and get clarity than to be surprised later on in the transaction.

I remember a closing that I scheduled where the buyer was going out of town before closing and wanted to sign his documents a few days early. The title company agreed that he could sign most of his documents early, but he would need to sign one on the day of closing. I assumed he would be able to sign that one document electronically. On the day of closing, however, we were told the buyer needed to print the document and sign it by hand. He was left scrambling to find a printer and scanner that he could use to finish closing on the property. 

I could’ve saved my buyer a lot of confusion and stress if I had clarified my information before closing, rather than assuming that the title company I was working with had the same policies as other companies I had worked with in similar situations.

Great agents are great communicators! At TREO, it’s our goal to make sure that you have all of the information you need so you’re never left feeling in the dark.