Holy Cow! There sure are a lot of Realtors. Landing on the right choice can be a tough decision. At Photography by Misty, we work with so many professional Real Estate Agents, occasionally I assume a headshot assignment is for a Realtor. That can be a little embarrassing … esp since we always have a convo leading up to a session.
Even though I know at least 100 Realtors, both personally and via business, I would have to really delve deep to decide who would be the perfect person to help me buy or sell my home, score a commercial real estate investment, or refer a friend in need. There are many factors to consider when choosing the right Realtor:
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Are they full-time or part-time? It may be unfair to put so much pressure on your friendly real estate agent, however, being available nights and weekends is imperative. Working clients around a Realtor’s personal or full-time work schedule does not usually fare well with the family or individual trying to buy or sell a home.
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Do they operate on a tight budget or are they willing to spend what it takes to sell your home? We will take Plano, Texas, for example. The average home sells for $405,000. Texas Realtors make an average of 6% commission. With a commission of $24,300, there’s room for one heck of a marketing budget. Professional images of your home, signage that wows, a QR code leading to virtual tours, and an open house with talked-about charcuterie boards will cost a mere portion of the earning potential. Even at 1%, your average Plano Realtor would earn (yes, most do earn their wages) $4,050. I figure even a $500 marketing budget wouldn’t be too much to ask. I understand there are other costs a Realtor must take on such as brokerage fees, continuing ed, annual marketing plans, etc.
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What is your Dream Home? And who is the best fit for your needs? To score a place in the country with a barn and land for the pony will take someone familiar with country life. Making a move is more than just a new house, it’s a way of life.
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Finally, an honest Realtor is of utmost importance. The real estate woman who sold us our current home was far from honest. It’s been 19 years so I have no desire to reopen old wounds. However, I will say, her dishonesty cost us approximately $45,000 in plumbing repairs. There’s a joke amongst photographers and now even those in the home-buying-and-selling industry about Realtor’s headshots. Many, yes, many home sellers are still rocking their Glamour Shots from the 80s at Collin Creek Mall. I guess they don’t notice the funny looks when they show up at the closing table or meet their client for the first time because they look nothing like the signage in the yard. It may be funny, but my question is: If they are willing to lie about their age, their weight, and/or their hair color, what else are they hiding? It may be harsh, but think about you or your single friends who arrange online for a date with Shawn or Katie only to find out in person that they must have used their cousin’s picture for their dating profile? Many of my clients are navigating the online dating world, and it is NO JOKE, My Friends. It’s painful, sad, and quite disgusting. And that’s only the energy, time, and money of one date… the stakes are a little higher when you’re talking about a half-million-dollar home.
Yes, we at Photography by Misty not only love but really respect our Real Estate clients who appreciate an updated professional headshot. Whether you are an agent, a solopreneur, or a C-Suite exec, let your online presence serve as a genuine introduction to the genuine you.
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