Heather Estes
Visalia, CA
Female, 27
I am a full-time REALTOR® under the state of California. I specialize in home buyers and am passionate about sharing the importance for everyone (especially young people) to become credit worthy. Many see home-ownership as something unattainable, or something to do when their in their 30's, married and with kids. While it might be one of the most expensive purchases in our lifetime the process itself is not as daunting as it's made out to be. With the right information anyone can own a home!
Really great question! Personally I don't ever show homes to strangers so that isn't a concern. However, I do have to be on my toes during open houses. Before the open house I put about a week's worth of work advertising where I will be and how long I will be there giving plenty of opportunity to be staked out and attacked. I always carry my phone with me where ever I go and linked up with a few members of our local police force. I let them know when and where my open house will be and they will take the time to drive by a few times to ensure my safety. I have heard they make special jewelry now that can be activated to alarm to the police should an agent feel in danger.
For more of what I do to prevent myself from being harmed or kidnapped read my blog article
3 Reasons Why I Don't Show Homes to Unqualified Buyers (and why no real estate agent should!)
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Great question!
There is a difference between a REALTOR and a real estate agent. Both are real estate agents, but one is further dignified by the title REALTOR. The NAR or National Association of Realtors and its members are held up to high standards when it comes to integrity in the industry. A real estate agent refers to anyone that has been licensed by the state to practice real estate. NAR membership is extra and they try hard to ensure that their membership status stands out. If you visit their website (www.realtor.org) they say, it is the job of "the Board of Directors to preserve the value and meaning of the REALTOR® marks for all Members. Each member of the National Association of REALTORS® agrees, as a part of their local Association's Bylaws, to abide by the rules governing the use of the REALTOR® marks. Only by knowing and abiding by the rules adopted by the Board of Directors can we be sure the Marks will retain their meaning and value for future generations of REALTORS®.." They coined the name and just want to make sure we all use it the same. If the ® symbol is not available to us we have to type it in all caps.
I hope that somewhat answers your question!
If not you can read more here: http://www.realtor.org/logos-and-trademark-rules/logo-trademark-faq
Thank you again for the great question!
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Honestly, at first they might have. I remembered getting static when I got licensed, I was only 20. If you're good at what you do, regardless of age, your an asset. The youth has brought a new twist to game. It keeps us all on our toes. New technology, new marketing ideas, it's really made it more of a make or break industry, at least here in California. I can't speak for the rest of the US. As long as your agent knows their stuff you're in good hands. I have come across a few agents who have been in the business 20 years and still can't speak openly to clients or negotiate on their behalf. Go with whomever you feel more comfortable with. If an older, more experienced agent is what you want then make that a priority when interviewing agents for the job. Thank you for the question :)
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It's really hit and miss. Like any profession the mean ones are out there, but for the most part we are all pretty nice to each other. There are plenty of agents that I would prefer not to work with or would like to tell a thing or two, but it's in our best interest (and the best interest of our clients) to get a long. If I start beef with an agent for whatever reason and later on that agent has a property listed that my clients would like to put an offer on I have just greatly reduced their odds of getting their offer accepted. Not to mention as a REATLOR it is also a part of our code of ethics.
I haven't really seen anything too crazy as of yet (I'm sure my day will come) The worst experience I have had is just not getting responses out of the other agent to the point that I had to show up at their office demanding to speak with them in order to get the documents I needed to sanction the deal. Most of the time it's little things like that.
Thank you for the question!
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Day Care Provider
Do the kids ever reveal embarrassing things about their parents?
Call Center Representative
What is the meanest thing a caller has ever said to you?
EMT
Does your crew ever fake an emergency to slice through traffic?
Good question!
In an age where everything is done on the web I really don't see them as a direct threat. It does make my job harder though. These companies harness leads through their site (taking away traffic from our sites) and then charge us for rights to get these leads. But it's just how things work now and that just means I need to try that much harder to be the agent of choice in my area.
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That would depend on what the nature of their financing trouble is. Perhaps they should speak to a different lender? I have heard of deals falling through after they have been accepted because buyers aren't told that the loan underwriters keep their financial life under the microscope after pre qualification. Many buyers, if not instructed properly, will go out and buy all new furniture after hearing about their offer being accepted without realizing their credit gets run again before the loan is funned. They rack up the credit cards, their scores adjust and suddenly they no longer qualify for their loan and the deal falls through. Not sure if that's the case with your buyers, either way it's not a fun thing to go through for either party involved.
Thank you for the question Rick!
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I haven't had a client I have helped place move yet, but I do hope they will turn to me when the time to move comes again. The best way to ensure this is to only take on clients we feel we will work well with. I am a very sociable, high energy person so I might not be the right fit to a super detail oriented, introvert. I would never want someone to suffer through my exuberance in order to make a buck. It is in my reputation's best interest to find my client a better fitting agent. I get to refer business to another trusted agent, I get a referral fee, and my client doesn't have to fight the urge to roll their eyes every time I speak.
Thank you for the question!
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