Name the one thing that best characterizes

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Patience, Please

One quality the current market demands is patience and persistence. “So everything takes a little bit longer right now,” says Shai Mashiach with Coldwell Banker Realty in Fort Lauderdale. To some extent, he says, you have to go back to the mindset you had back in the day “when things took a little longer to sell. Sellers are not as motivated, because in this price range, they don’t need to sell.”

Agents say owners need to reach a point where they are ready to sell. But expert agents can provide needed information regarding the market and their property so they can make informed decisions. “You can’t push them into selling at a price that they’re not interested in or lowering to a price that the buyers would want to buy right now,” says Mashiach.

Terry Potts Country Club Properties

In many places, buyers and sellers have reached a stalemate. After countless headlines and posts of housing in freefall, buyers often expect significant price discounts even if that situation doesn’t apply to their local market. Sellers, too, are reluctant to adjust prices since nearby comparables garnered premiums only a few months before. No one wants to buy high or sell low. It’s up to expert agents to educate them about what is actually happening in local markets. Experienced agents have been through more than one swing of the sales pendulum and understand current dynamics.

Steering Clear of Potholes

“At big numbers, organization is so key to a successful closing and closing efficiently,” shares Tracy Allen, Coldwell Banker Realty in Honolulu.

One of the prime skills of expert agents is being attuned to potential glitches that could derail a sale. “A good agent can anticipate problems before they become an issue,” says Margenau.

“When a seller is having financial difficulty or a divorce or other situations that could derail a sale at the last minute, you have to

Greg Gunter Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Colonial Homes