“Always here for you-Penny” This is how Penny signed a note responding to a request two months after the sale of our house. It captures a key reason that I chose Penny and felt comfortable during a very stressful selling process. Penny was always there for us.
Since real estate transactions are high stakes ventures with real world consequences. I conducted an extensive and rigorous interview process looking at four essential real estate skills: Local Knowledge, Process expertise, Responsiveness, and Negotiating Skills. We had a favorite candidate, but as the interviews continued Penny won in a photo finish among three top tier, local agents
At this point, you are probably ready to quit reading. Quit, if you have decided on Penny.
But if not, please continue.
Local knowledge: all real estate is local. Penny was recruited by Del Webb to sell homes and was involved from the very beginning of our development. This gives her a detailed knowledge of every model in the development and a history of sales. Very important when you set the initial sales price — one of the most important factors in getting your home sold. A second benefit of a local agent is knowledge of resources: usual and unusual: Usual like contractors, stagers, movers, etc. Unusual like New Leaf Senior Transitions which helped us pack and sold many items for us including a car.
Responsiveness: “Always here for you” This was most essential for us. We require a relationship where we can trust that the agent understands our needs, gets the details right, and shows concern for us as people. We had a set of personal circumstances that made this move very difficult and physically challenging.
Penny was there for us like an unobtrusive waiter at a five-star restaurant – anticipating our needs and responding to us quickly no matter what other customers or challenges were competing for her time. She always listened with empathy; communicated information even the “hard truths” so that we could grasp and accept them. She had an answer or resource to solve our questions or issues. Her extended team – stager, photographer, contractors, etc. were very professional and personable.
If you haven’t decided that Penny is to be your agent, then my wish for you is that you have a great real estate experience and that Penny is representing the other person in the transaction.