Does a Bad Pickup Line Still Work Today

"Hey Baby, what's your sign?"

I think most of us can picture this classic - if comically out dated - scenario...




The year - 1978. The place - a crowded disco on a Saturday night. Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band's "A Fifth of Beethoven" is thumping, perspiring couples clad in their best polyester are crowding the dance floor doing the Hustle and the mirror ball is slowly turning overhead.

 The scene is perfect for a single guy...let's call him Rick... to pick up a "chick." Rick spots a particularly "foxy" one sitting at the bar so he decides to make his move. He adjusts the collar on his pale blue leisure suit, smoothes his feathered haircut, and takes the stool next to her.  

Then he delivers his no-fail line...   "Hey Baby, what's your sign?

The "foxy chick"...let's call her Denise...tosses her Farrah Fawcett hairdo, peers coyly over the umbrella in her Fuzzy Navel and purrs, "I'm an Aquarius."

"Right on!" Rick thinks to himself, "a water sign." 

He turns to Denise and smiles. "That's really groovy, baby. I'm a Pisces. You wanna boogie?"

The scene fades as they take to the dance floor. Let's just say that Rick and Denise keep on truckin'.

Examining the scene from today's perspective, the obvious issue - beyond their poor fashion sense - is whether either Rick or Denise actually learned anything substantive about the other in that brief exchange. On the other hand, I'm sure that more relationships than many of us would like to admit were launched in the seventies based solely on the knowledge of our date's astrological sign.

However, believe it or not, there are plenty of homeowners and buyers who have selected an agent based on similar surface generalizations to choose, assess and manage their Real Estate transactions.

The buyers and sellers of today have a long list of tools and resources that will assist them in selecting and hiring the right agent; such as the internet, books, and checking with the local Real Estate Board. 

Let’s review a few quick and easy methods that will allow you to determine if your agent is worthy of your business.  After all, we wouldn’t want you to hire someone who will end up costing you money, correct?!
  

1. Has anyone you know worked with this agent.  A great resource is to ask the question on your Facebook, or better yet, check out their LinkedIn profile and see who is connected to them.

2. Interview this agent properly, while asking questions that demand measurable answers.  An example would be: “How many Open Houses will you host over the next 120 days?”

3. What tools will the agent use to locate your next home or to sell your current home?  Are they tech savvy and do they have additional resources that other agents don’t currently use?

4. How and how often will they keep in contact with you?  Will it be up to you to check in with them, or will they actually treat you like a client/

5. If you select them to represent you, what are your recourses if you are not happy with the service or the outcome?

6. Do they have references and personal recommendations from past clients that you may call on or read?

7. Did they bring a portfolio to the table with tools and resources that will ease the process for you, such as a mortgage contact, a bonded home inspector, a reputable moving company, reliable cleaning services, and more?
  

So before your strap on those boogie boots, armed with a quick one liner, remember that selecting a good and reputable REALTOR® can make all the difference and may save you lots of money in the end.  Follow the aforementioned few steps and you should be well on your way to a successful and stress free Real Estate experience. 

If you are currently thinking about buying or selling a home, we are happy to assist.