The Many Types of Realtors in Sacramento You’ll Find as Listing Agents

Match the types of Realtors to your specific needs.

Without a doubt, I know a huge population exists that does not realize there are many types of Realtors in Sacramento. Quite often the person who doesn’t realize this is the person who thinks they already know everything. Although, by god, the one thing they know is all Realtors are the same and there are no different types of Realtors. I hate to say it, but that “one type of Realtor” in their mind is generally an agent they do not like and they do not trust. I can sense that when I talk with some prospective sellers. It’s in the language they use and the attitude. For some silly reason, I try to change their minds. Sometimes, it doesn’t work.

I feel it’s not fair that they lump us all together just because they had a bad experience. It’s fairly easy to have a bad experience in real estate, unfortunately, Further, they don’t know what certain types of Realtors do. No idea. They only peer over the fence. These guys are not down in the trenches. In fact, I’ve told sellers that if all they want is a Realtor who will plop a sign in the yard, I am not that agent. That’s not what I do. Those are the services offered by a discount agent.

Lately, as we move into the fall real estate market in Sacramento and prepare for winter, I have had to turn down more listings than those I’ve accepted. One seller claimed she did not need to meet with me and refused to let me see her house. Why? Because she already calculated the price she expected to get. After all, she has sold a number of homes that she could count on one hand. Moreover, she rambled on about her importance. How valuable her time is, the type of advanced degree she possesses, and then detailed her work life. Her point? She clearly had no time for “condescending or rude people.”

Ha! We agree on that issue.

As for types of Realtors, the most common type of Sacramento Realtor is the agent who sells 4 or 5 houses a year. That agent probably sells homes close to the neighborhood where the agent lives. These guys are not sitting in front of their computer every day working. They enjoy a life. They have hobbies, friends, spend time with family. Hang out at the office. Play golf. These types of Realtors will often haggle over commission and undercut the competition if it means they will get the listing.

Next, there is the discount Realtor whose main calling card is they will work for dirt cheap. Perhaps their company foots their salary or maybe they figure volume will make up for the money they lost. Maybe they just aren’t worth more. I dunno. But they do know how to stick a sign in the yard and plop a listing into MLS. Do they answer the phone? Generally not.

Other types of Realtors are generally full-service and either a veteran, somewhat experienced or brand new.

The type of Realtor I fall into is unusual because I charge the most. My focus is getting the seller the highest amount a buyer will pay. That amount might not be at appraised value. In fact, the appraisal might come in low because I’ve sold the home for more than it appraised. Every transaction is unique and custom to me. Each listing is my baby.  My actions produce ecstatic sellers. I specialize in listings. Not buyers. I do not work with buyers anymore, but my highly trained and educated team members do.

There is no real estate school for Realtors. Agents learn on the job. The higher the number of transactions an agent closes, the more knowledge an agent accumulates. When an agent specializes in doing only one specific type of function, you can imagine the level of sophisticated strategy she offers her seller. Most of my listings tend to sell over list price. Sellers working with me rarely do repairs and their transactions are smooth.