Real Estate Agents – Escape The Taxi Driving Syndrome
You may wonder what real estate agents and taxi drivers have in common. Not a lot except for one feature of some real estate agents. The ‘taxi driver syndrome’ refers to the habit of some real estate agents who prefer to taxi prospective buyers around to properties. The problem is, rather than viewing properties that fit your criteria, you are taken to properties that loosely fit your criteria but which the real estate agent is trying to push – hence the term ‘taxi driver syndrome’.
As a buyer, while it is nice to have an agent give you a guided tour, you will learn more about an area if you self navigate. You will also be able to view properties that fit your criteria precisely rather than just approximate fits. By shrugging off the hand of the real estate agent, you are escaping the ‘taxi driver syndrome’ and taking control of your own search.
Bearing in mind what I have said, there are times when a ‘taxi driver’ real estate agent can be helpful. If you are new to the area, particularly if you are from interstate, then having a navigator can be ideal – to begin with. At some point however, you need to break free and take control yourself.
You should remember that real estate agents have a vested interest in the properties they show you. They want to sell them and they want the commission. The longer a property remains on the books unsold – the stronger the desire to list with multiple agents. This means the property could be sold by another agent. The real estate industry is a hard industry. As an agent, you can show a property to ten people without a sale. The agencies down the road could show it to one person and it becomes a sale. That’s business.
From the buyer’s perspective, don’t let a real estate agent control your property search. You need to be in control in order to find the best property for your needs – don’t become a passenger caught in the ‘taxi driver syndrome’. Find a real estate agent who will help you stay in control.
Related posts:
