Ragsdale: Things that Bother Potential Buyers

Each buyer or seller of a property that decides to seek help from a real estate agent must be familiar with the terms of cooperation, whether and how much are they suppose to pay in the event of mediation by the real estate agent. However, as the experienced real estate coach Luther Ragsdale explains, there are some agents that reduce most of their communication with the client to an endless repetition of the commission that the client is obliged to pay. This can be so repulsive that the client might start to doubt the quality of the service that the real estate agent should provide, and hence the client might start to look for a way to solve the boring real estate agent.

Therefore, Ragsdale advises real estate agents to define their business relationship with the customer with a mediation contract, in which among other things the agent should state the amount of the commission that the client is obliged to pay. In that way, the agent will secure his well-deserved commission not by constant repetition that the client shall pay the commission, but with an agreement that in the case of a legal proceeding can protect his interest.

The second and equally important thing that Luther Ragsdale points out is that lying is strictly forbidden. Not only is lying unethical but it can also cause damage to the client, and thus to the agent himself. Today's buyers and sellers have easy access to information about the property that they’re interested. The worst thing a real estate agent can do is to lie about the asked price or about a buyer who "is about to sign a contract." Delays, mix-ups, and other unprofessional actions are also considered unacceptable behavior.

In his 35 years experience in the industry, Ragsdale has always inspired agents to a professional, moral and ethical behavior, because it is the only thing that sets apart a serious and reliable real estate agent from an unprofessional one. Not answering the client’s call is also a big mistake, as well as not informing him about new activities related to the property.