The public perception of real estate Agents is often one of people driving around in fancy cars talking a lot. What do they do all day long?

Most people that are involved in buying and selling real estate are aware of how hard the good Agents actually work. Even those active in the market don’t always know what it is that their Agents do, or can do, for them.

The obvious work done by Agents for Buyers involves qualifying the Buyers, searching for homes that match their wants and needs, evaluating a property and its risk if acquired, working with the Lender and Escrow Officer to make sure things go as smooth as possible, and scheduling inspections and negotiating repairs. Pretty stock stuff, but it doesn’t stop there.

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Sellers see Agents as the source of a means to value their home relative to the current market, advise them what to do to prepare the home for market, and to market the home.

When offers come in the Agent helps to break it down so the Sellers know the overall impact on their lives, and they will negotiate to a position favorable to the Seller’s situation. The Agent will often arrange for some of the repairs, and monitor the timing and performance of the parties to the transaction.

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The two paragraphs above are really a brief synopsis of processes that involve a lot of time and work on behalf of the Agent in the typical transaction.

There are times, however, when Agents go above and beyond for a client and their circumstances. It is amazing how the service oriented Agent will find ways to help a Buyer or Seller in need.

Often such situations are dictated by an absentee Seller or Buyer. If they are out of town it can be difficult to schedule things, or to open the property for inspections, appraisal, etc.

Special efforts provided by Agents that we’ve witnessed include feeding the fish, attending every showing, hauling out junk, selling personal property, finding a home for an animal, driving long distances for signatures, shoveling snow, watering the lawn, even some house cleaning.

It is amazing how quickly the line can blur between professional Agent and person. This isn’t saying that all circumstances will warrant such extra-curricular effort by the Agent, but the fact that it happens is noteworthy in our opinion.

Don’t set out planning on an Agent doing what you, a friend, or family member should really be doing. If you find yourself alone, a long distance away, or other extenuating circumstance, tell your Agent.

Agents spend their days solving problems. There is a very good chance that they can help you solve the problems of your circumstances, whether or not it is them that directly provides the labor needed. Lay out the situation and see what happens. Agents are used to working together to get things done, to get escrows closed and people moved.

Our Advice: Agents who go above and beyond what is expected of them as a professional real estate Agent usually extend such help on a personal level, people to people.

When an Agent is going above and beyond for you, appreciate it. It isn’t in their job description and they have no obligation to do so.

They can save you a lot of time and money with their knowledge and experience so don’t nickel and dime them and their time or you will find they will start having conflicting appointments when something needs to get done.

Agents can get more pleasure from being helpful on a personal level than via the professional services they provide. It is fun to provide the unexpected, especially when it is appreciated. We are all in this world together – lets help one another.

Lisa Wetzel & Jim Valentine, CDPE, SFR, work for RE/MAX Realty Affiliates in the Carson Valley. Visit carsonvalleyland.com or call 775-781-5472 for information.