I don’t just sell homes in the Carolinas. I’m also a connector, and that’s a part of my job that a lot of people don’t realize exists.
Let’s say you’re moving to New York for a job. You don’t know a soul there, much less a real estate agent. Or maybe you’re helping a parent move closer to family in another state. You’re buying a second home somewhere you’ve only visited a handful of times. You could even already live outside of Charlotte and simply need help figuring out who to trust where you are.
You can call me.
You don’t have to be moving to Charlotte, moving from Charlotte or even live here for me to help you find the right real estate agent. A referral, in the simplest terms, means I’m helping connect you with another agent who can represent you where you need them. But for me, that should involve a lot more than looking up a name and making an introduction.
Before I start looking for an agent, I want to understand you. Your timeline, what you’re trying to accomplish, how you like to communicate, what you’re worried about, what kind of support you need and anything else you’re willing to share. That gives me a much better idea of who might actually be a good fit.
Then I start vetting.
I don’t start with how many homes they’ve sold
Of course I look at an agent’s experience, market knowledge and professional track record. Those things matter. They’re just not enough for me to put someone I know and care about into another agent’s hands.
What I really want to understand is how that agent works when real estate gets hard.
What happens when an inspection uncovers something nobody expected? What do they tell a seller when they believe the price is wrong? How do they handle a buyer who’s overwhelmed or afraid they’re making the wrong decision? If they’re working with someone relocating to an unfamiliar area, how do they help that person get their bearings and make good decisions from a distance?
And when their client really needs support, are they the person picking up the phone?
A sales number tells me an agent has done business. I want to know how they conduct business.
There’s a difference.
For more on this, read my post: How to Interview a Luxury Real Estate Agent Before Selling Your Home
I want to know what happens when something goes wrong
Real estate transactions have a lot of moving parts. There are inspections, appraisals, financing, negotiations, deadlines, attorneys and, of course, people. Even a well managed transaction can hit an unexpected problem.
That’s why I’m interested in the transactions that didn’t go perfectly.
I want to hear how an agent handled the problem, what they told their client and how they worked through it. Did they communicate clearly or disappear while they tried to figure it out? Did they know when to negotiate harder and when pushing harder wasn’t actually in the client’s best interest? Did they bring in another qualified professional when something fell outside their expertise?
I’m also paying attention to whether they’re willing to have uncomfortable conversations.
If a seller’s price isn’t supported by the market, will they say so? If a buyer is getting caught up in a house and overlooking something important, will they slow the conversation down and talk through it?
Clients don’t hire us because they need someone to agree with everything they say. They hire us for advice, experience, perspective and representation. I want to know that the person I’m referring will provide those things even when the conversation isn’t necessarily the easy one.
If you’re on the hunt for your own real estate agent, read my post: How to Find the Top Charlotte Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home to find out more things you should look for.
The right agent isn’t the same agent for everyone
This is also why I don’t have one person in every city whose number I automatically hand out.
Finding a great agent is one part of it. Finding the right agent for a particular person is another.
Some clients want frequent communication and a lot of explanation throughout the process. Someone who has moved ten times may want something entirely different. A first time buyer moving across the country has different needs than an experienced investor buying another property.
Personality matters. Communication style matters. The circumstances surrounding the move matter.
That is why I get to know you first.
And when I talk with potential agents, I’m not just deciding whether I think they’re good at their job. I’m deciding whether I think they’re a good fit for you.
Moving to Charlotte soon? Download my Charlotte relocation guide today!
The introduction isn’t the end of my involvement
Last year alone, 69 families trusted me with their move. Some worked with me directly here in the Charlotte area. Others trusted me to help connect them with the right agent somewhere else.
I take both seriously because the responsibility is ultimately very similar. Someone came to me because they trusted my judgment and asked for help.
When I make a referral, I stay connected. If everything is going wonderfully, I want to know that. If you don’t feel like the agent is a fit, I absolutely want to know that too.
You are not stuck with someone simply because I made the introduction, and you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable telling me it isn’t working. That feedback gives me the opportunity to help you, and it helps me make better recommendations for the next person who trusts me with the same responsibility.
That’s what I mean when I say I don’t just connect you. I stay connected.
Fostering real connections is one of the most important parts of being a real estate agent. In addition to working hard on behalf of my clients, I also maintain relationships with agents across North America. One way I do that is through my annual event, The Charlotte Experience.
So, when should you call me?
If you’re buying or selling in the Charlotte area, that’s easy. Call me and we’ll talk about what you’re trying to accomplish and whether we’re a good fit to work together.
But if your move is taking you somewhere else and you have no idea who to call, that’s also when you call me.
If you’re relocating for work and don’t know an agent in your new city, call me. If you’re buying a second home in another state and don’t know who you can trust, call me. If a family member needs help selling a home somewhere you don’t live and you’re overwhelmed trying to figure out who should handle it, call me.
And when you’re actively working with that agent, I don’t just disappear. I stay connected as little or as much as you want, so you know you still have a team and an ally if you’re ever uncertain, have questions or just need a little guidance.
You don’t have to start searching online and hope the person with the most reviews is the right person to handle it.
Tell me where you’re going, what you need and what matters to you. I’ll do the homework, vet the agents, make the introduction and stay connected to make sure you’re in the right hands from start to finish. Give me a call or send me an email directly to get in touch!
Ashley Horton | MRP | ABR | CLHMS
Global Real Estate Advisor
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty
Licensed in North Carolina & South Carolina
It Starts with a Conversation!
Buying, selling, or relocating to Charlotte? Get in touch with me here to get started!
