As realtors, it is our job to bring buyers and sellers together and make the sales transaction a win-win for both parties.

I am constantly amazed, however, at the number of agents who become personally involved in a transaction and actually get in the way of a sale.  It is our responsibility to remain objective about the situations that arise in a real estate transaction and provide sound guidance to our clients so that they can make reasonable decisions about their purchase or sale.  We are supposed to be using our skills to solve problems; not create them.

This brings to mind a recent transaction where, during a pre-settlement walk-through, the buyer’s agent was hanging out the window of the house pointing out what she thought was a problem with a tile on a slate roof.  Keeping in mind that the roofing contractor who just fixed the roof was still at the house and told the agent that in his professional opinion the roof was in satisfactory condition and no additional repairs were necessary, the agent created maintained that there was a problem and actually created an unnecessary obstacle for the buyer and seller.

Being a realtor means that we are experts in matters regarding the value of real estate, marketing real estate, and writing and negotiating contracts in which real estate is being bought or sold.  We are not home inspectors, appraisers, lawyers, accountants, or roofing contractors.  Although we may have been in the presence of some of these folks regarding real estate transactions from time to time, it does not make us experts in those professions and we should not be offering our advice regarding those issues.  And, if there is a problem outside our area of expertise, we should suggest that our clients hire the appropriate professionals to look at those situations.

We realtors need to remember that we are supposed to help solve real estate problems for our clients in a way that makes it a win-win for everyone.

Thinking about buying a home?  Check out this week’s Best Buy picks or Search Like an Agent with a FREE Listing Book account.

Looking for a bargain?  See of list of properties in foreclosure, short sale, or auction.

Wishing you sunshine everyday, the home of your dreams, and a realtor with his/her ego in check,
Jeri