Real estate is one of the few industries that has not yet been completely transformed by technology. While sites like Trulia, Zillow, and Redfin have removed some of the human to human interaction involved the buying/selling process, 88% of home buyers used an agent or broker to purchase their home this year. In fact, the largest group of first-time home buyers, millennials, are more likely to use a real estate agent than any previous generation, at 90%. Although technology has not dipslaced agents, it has increased the standards of service they're held to. With tools such as home search sites and value estimates, leads are able to self-educate online, raising their expected standards of service. The best real estate agents in 2017 will provide top notch customer service and care. Follow these six tips to start providing real estate leads with the best possible customer service.

Let’s face it, 2017 is a sellers market and there’s not a lot of bargaining room to ask for major repairs. Many buyers agents are being pressured into skimping out on their client’s repair requests, for fear of losing out on a sale. However, the buyer's agent duty is to negotiate in their client’s favor, while remaining professional. Home buyers are also more likely to experience buyer’s remorse when their new home requires a face lift. Use these negotiation tactics below to remain competitive in this year's seller's market while fighting for your client's best interests. 

In this edition of Agent Insights, Sussie Sutton, a UTR Texas Realtor in Houston shares some quick tips on how to keep safe at open houses.  

Loan officers are a crucial element in each real estate transaction. Home buyers expect agents to be involved in every step of the process, including loan approval. Agents want to assure their clients are in good hands and that there will be no unexpected delays. According to NAR, 45% of first-time home buyers said the mortgage application and approval process was more difficult than expected. When agents partner up with a trusted lender, they’re more at ease that their client will close a deal feeling satisfied. We've created this list to help you find a trusted lender that will streamline your sales and increase your referall rate. Look for these attributes when partnering up with a lender.

One of the most frustrating things to experience as a real estate agent is a client who believes your commission should be reduced. These clients are almost like FSBOs, because they’re not 100% convinced they need an agent. For most brokerages the commission is split multiple ways amongst the listing agent and broker and the buyer’s agent and broker. Furthermore, a portion of each agent's commission goes directly towards their brokerage or team’s marketing budget or overhead costs. Follow these tips below to work with these types of clients and assure your not wasting your time.