Naples Real Estate Etiquette

Naples Real Estate Etiquette | Josh Amolsch REALTOR®

Marketing Etiquette

Complaining is such a harsh word. I prefer “advocating for a better future“.

I had a completely different blog subject in mind a while back when I opened up my laptop for my ritualistic Naples real estate banter. As I was waiting for the blog program to open, I jumped on the Southwest Florida MLS to see if there were any new Naples real estate listings near my office across from the new AC Marriot Hotel on 5th Ave South.

Bam!

Along with a 3 bedroom 2.5 bath in Bayfront for $1,400,000 that had been loitering on the market for over 250 days (yikes), another gem had dropped. The newer Naples real estate listing was a 2 bedroom 2 bath with an asking price of $1,050,000. At 278 sqft smaller than the $1.4 million unit (the one that had gone through at least 2 different agents) the smaller new listing differed in that it had carpet in the bedrooms, tile floors throughout and a very useful island in the kitchen.

What pulled me away from writing whatever it was I was going to write about, were the photos on this new listing. With all the splendor and beauty that resonates from the Bayfront community, what agent in their right mind would think that a cell phone could capture the wonderful lifestyle and energy that Bayfront has to offer? Whether it was actually a cell phone that was used or not, the photos are not up to par. Not even close. C’mon, man! This is Bayfront, Naples! This is a MILLION dollars we are talking about. Your client deserve better and this professional demands better.

Our clients and customers deserve our best efforts. Every. Single. Time. 110%. Always try to impress and to over-deliver. This is a service business. What low quality photos say to me is that an agent doesn’t value their role; which is to put their clients interest ahead of their own. I can promise you that when you see my Naples real estate listings on the market, I’ll go out of my way to make sure they have the best photos, best pitch, tailored marketing and that my clients received the white glove service they deserve. It is the least I can do.

Uneducated Agents

Over the last few months, I have personally been experiencing questionable behavior from Naples Real Estate agents. Upon chatting with colleagues from my brokerage, I found that I am not the only agent in Naples experiencing unsavory etiquette (is that an oxymoron?) from our peers. Most of the issues stem from uneducated agents. This category of agents is not just reserved for new agents. veterans can be just as guilt when they are not keeping up with their continued education, missing the ever important fellowship in the office with other agents and even just having a lack of transactions. Transactions are the hands on way to really learn what and what not to do. Has anyone reading this learned something the hard way? I will take your raised eyebrows and a giggle as a yes. We often need to pull the transaction together all on our own to accommodate all parties if we are dealing with a difficult agent. Difficult agents can almost always be narrowed down to uneducated agents. Anger can be traced to ignorance. All they would need to do is spend more time reading contracts and probably doing more deals.

Showings Etiquette

Another gripe I am hearing is that doors are being left unlocked and lights on in homes after an agent shows a property. Look, I understand that showing property can be a little exhausting. We are not only having to navigate through tangle town in our cars, dealing with motorcycles, speedsters, slowsters, last minute lane changers and just trying to keep our clients in our review mirror, we are also doing our best to be good sales people. Exiting the car and striking up your sales skills for the next listing you pulled up to. Keeping conversations light but informative. Trying to keep that connection with your client tight. Just remember, you have the privilege of walking into someone else’s home, most of the time alone with your clients. We MUST remember to treat this experience with great care and respect. Lock it up tight and turn all lights off when you are done. If the alarm needs to be set, the listing agent should have those instructions detailed in the MLS and ShowingTime. The extra attention you pay and time you spend wrapping up each showing will be noticed by your clients and appreciated on a deep level, thus enhancing your relationship. Oh, put the key back in the lockbox.

Feedback after the showings is highly appreciated too! We are all in this business together. Your buyer’s feedback that the home is overpriced could be just the review the seller needs to get their home sold. Seller’s highly value this feedback. Listen, it’s exciting to get a home sold and to buy another one, but the process is stressful for people. the quicker everyone can get through the process, the better. Plus, you get paid quicker.

A very bad trend happening right now is that buyer’s agents are not even showing up for their scheduled showings. No call, no show. UNREAL. I don’t think I need to elaborate on this. Show up, or give enough notice as you can that the showing has been cancelled. Read the showing instructions carefully. This particular offense is unacceptable.

Communication

A basic courtesy, in general, is to return phone calls, emails and texts. Ignoring messages is not good business. Even in a big city, the real estate community is small. We are in a fairly small area, so that community is even tighter. Along with the Naples real estate etiquette of returning calls is to make sure your listings are updated. Status, any showing instructions, PRICE, supplements. I personally like when I see all of the association docs uploaded to the listing. Even if it is not a condo. HOA’s have budgets and by laws, why not add those? It’s actually quite weird that the sales contracts do not stipulate that a buyer of a home in an HOA is due all of the HOA documents. Currently, buyers agent has to ask for them if they are not readily provided, per my broker.

NABOR Contracts

Now I don’t claim to know everything. I try to be very careful and consult people who are likely smarter than me before I open my mouth. But I am entitled to my opinion and I have a website. My opinion is that having two (2) sales contracts in Naples is… ridiculous. I know that any lawyer reading this will be leaving me a comment, don’t sue me. It is already strange that it is common practice to use any other contract other that the State of Florida sales contract, but that’s fine, but can we please have 1 in Naples? Just one, and cleanup all the holes. Notice to perform deadlines, official contingency release forms, mandatory sellers disclosure would actually be my vote. These things should not tilt the contract in favor of one party over the other, but there should be a little more accountability and power to the parties. Can someone please try to convince me of the benefit of two different contracts from both a buyer and seller perspective?

Sorry if I ruffled any feathers. Just my a couple of my opinions and a few from my colleagues. There is more, but I am tired of typing and hungry. Might do a part two.

To buy or sell real estate in Naples, Florida, give Josh Amolsch a call at 239.302.8475

Josh Amolsch
REALTOR® | SRS
Premiere Plus Realty, Co. | #SL3522310
1100 5th Ave S #101B, Naples, FL 34102

 

Josh Amolsch | Naples Luxury Real Estate | REALTOR

Josh Amolsch | Naples Luxury Real Estate | REALTOR

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About the Author
josh@joshamolsch.com
Since 2012, Josh Amolsch has proven to be relentlessly effective in delivering success and satisfaction to his customers. As a resident of Naples, Josh brings energy, charm and wisdom to the Premiere Plus Realty Luxury International brand.

Josh is a long time musician who has released a few recordings over the last 20 years. He loves hiking in national parks and traveling with his wife, Viktoriya. The bedrock of Josh's character has always been his passion for service and results. With this, Josh has not only found success, but a permanent seat as a student in the practice of real estate.

Consulting real estate consumers and guiding principles through life changing events has been the highlight of Josh's adult life. Josh is an accomplished communicator, and with the unique training he has received from top brokers with over 120 years combined experience, Josh knows how to bring deals together, keep everyone on track, and close successfully while maintaining healthy relationships.