Palos Verdes Lifestyle - Norma Toering's PV Real Estate Blog

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The Weakest Link in a Real Estate Transaction

chainWhen moving through the stages of selling a property--from showing to closing-- I often think of the quote, "It takes a village to raise a child."  It also takes a group of committed professionals to close a real estate transaction.  One weak link, whether it be agent, lender or escrow officer can turn a positive experience into a painful memory. 

I've enjoyed many seamless closings and many more with only minor glitches that all parties worked together to resolve.  Naturally, if you do something long enough you will build a body of work that includes a few transactions you would like to forget.  Usually, these unpleasant surprises are the direct result of one member of the team dropping the proverbial ball. 

It's important to select your team with care.  You will have a daily relationship with the parties and players well past the close of escrow. 

Avoid being the weakest link by:

1.  Provide information and documents in a timely manner to the appropriate party.

2.  Pay attention to deadlines and meet them.

3.  Return calls, acknowledge emails and in general keep all people informed of any changes or delays.  Surprises are usually not well received!

4. Be respectful of the time others are spending in an effort to effect a timely and successful closing.

5.  Take time to thank the individuals for playing a valued role in selling or finding a new home for a client.  This is important work we do.  Not only is it big business it is a very personal business.  A simple note expressing your gratitude wiill strengthen the "chain" the next time it is called upon.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.


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Norma Toering - REMAX Palos VerdesNorma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

PalosVerdesLifestyle- Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Chosen by MovingCost.com as one of the best Los Angeles realty blogs. Awarded 5 out of 5 stars by Lender411 blog review.  Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Based on information from the Association of REALTORS®/Multiple Listing as of the initial date of this article/blog publication and /or other sources. Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.

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Comments

Norma, and if someone in the transaction does something truly amazing, you can always write a nice blog post about it!  You can even use real names!
Posted by Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company Realtors) almost 4 years ago
As a Closing Agent at a Title Company, I Thank You for your post.  I think it is very important that all parties involved work together to conduct the "smoothest" Closing possible.  It seems that it is easily forgotten that each one of us have multiple files, appointments, and tasks that we are trying to accomplish in a timely manner.  As a Closing Agent, it is frustrating when I am not provided all the information needed to conduct the closing at the time of the Appointment.  Usually, my office is the "last stop" for the clients on their road to purchasing/selling a home.  These clients base their Closing experience on how smoothly the Closing went, and if there were glitches out of my control, I am still the one in the hot seat (whether it was the Lender not giving them the interest rate they promised them, or the Realtor not giving me a Termite Bill to collect on the Settlement Statement)  Communication skills are the number one asset in this business, in my opinion.  It is also frustrating to hear everyone playing the "Blame Game" when things don't go smoothly because of the lack of communication!!!!
Posted by Stefanie Sexton (Unavailiable at this time) almost 4 years ago
Great advice.  I think these "real estate lessons" carry over into everyday life as well.
Posted by Jonathan Sprouffske (Connolly Tacon & Meserve) almost 4 years ago
Patricia - You're right, and I will!
Posted by Norma Toering Palos Verdes Homes in Los Angeles Area (REMAX Palos Verdes Realty Broker Associate Lic# 01147470) almost 4 years ago
Stephanie - You have one of the toughest jobs in real estate in my personal opinion--so thank you for putting your best effort forward each and every time.
Posted by Norma Toering Palos Verdes Homes in Los Angeles Area (REMAX Palos Verdes Realty Broker Associate Lic# 01147470) almost 4 years ago
Very nice Patricia.  You are so right about what you have stated here.  We really work together as a team and makes all the difference in the world.
Posted by Pat Laracy Baker, Realtor, Green, ABR Needham, Massachusetts (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage ) almost 4 years ago
Jonathan - I had the same thought as I was typing the post.  Good business habits are good business habits--doesn't matter what career you're applying them to.
Posted by Norma Toering Palos Verdes Homes in Los Angeles Area (REMAX Palos Verdes Realty Broker Associate Lic# 01147470) almost 4 years ago
Norma, you have written a wonderful blog.  Good things to remember as we go through the process. thank you.
Posted by Pat Laracy Baker, Realtor, Green, ABR Needham, Massachusetts (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage ) almost 4 years ago
Thanks Pat.  I appreciate your kind words, and it is a process we can make easier with communication and cooperation.
Posted by Norma Toering Palos Verdes Homes in Los Angeles Area (REMAX Palos Verdes Realty Broker Associate Lic# 01147470) almost 4 years ago
Norma, could you possible highlight number 3? Maybe even repeat it a few times? I cannot believe what I'm seeing in the market these days with such an incredible lack of communication. It's sad really.
Posted by Seattle Real Estate|Colleen Fischesser| |Short Sale Specialist|So King County (RE/MAX Select R.E | Designated Broker/Owner) almost 4 years ago

Norma, There shouldn't be any weak links in the transaction. As the manager of the transaction  the selling agent MUST make sure everybody does their job. No excuses.

Bill Roberts

Posted by Bill Roberts - "Baby Boomer" Retirement Planner (Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate) almost 4 years ago

Colleen - Yes, when did not returning a phone call become the response of choice?  I often send an email, then leave a message asking the offending party to please check their email--I've also been known to copy the other professionals involved in the transaction to alert them of the delay. 

Posted by Norma Toering Palos Verdes Homes in Los Angeles Area (REMAX Palos Verdes Realty Broker Associate Lic# 01147470) almost 4 years ago
Bill - That's what happens in a seamless transaction.
Posted by Norma Toering Palos Verdes Homes in Los Angeles Area (REMAX Palos Verdes Realty Broker Associate Lic# 01147470) almost 4 years ago
You make very good points.  We all have to make time for every little detail to make sure things go smoothly.
Posted by JenRan Realty, LLC almost 4 years ago
Jennifer - Yes, a smooth close is in the details!
Posted by Norma Toering Palos Verdes Homes in Los Angeles Area (REMAX Palos Verdes Realty Broker Associate Lic# 01147470) almost 4 years ago

Thanks for the great reminders on how to be a team player.  It's can be challenging in today's market to get transactions to the closing table and I don't ever want to be considered the weak link. 

All the Best!

Kathy Fisher Lexington TN Real Estate

Posted by Kathy Fisher Sells Lexington TN homes! 731.845.3413 (Five Star Real Estate Services) almost 4 years ago
Kathy - It does require a team effort to get to the closing table.
Posted by Norma Toering Palos Verdes Homes in Los Angeles Area (REMAX Palos Verdes Realty Broker Associate Lic# 01147470) almost 4 years ago
I like your anology Norma. This is good advice for teams or an individual. Thanks.
Posted by Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Wayne B. Pruner, Realtor, GRI (Oregon First) almost 4 years ago
Wayne - Thank you.  Good business practice is not limited to any particular field.  It usually applies across the board.
Posted by Norma Toering Palos Verdes Homes in Los Angeles Area (REMAX Palos Verdes Realty Broker Associate Lic# 01147470) almost 4 years ago

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