It’s no secret that the national slow down in real estate has also effected the real estate industry here in Maine. The nationwide boom period from 2003 to 2005 brought thousands of folks from other walks of life into the industry.
In western Maine, the membership of the Western Maine Board of Realtors exploded in that two year period from 150 to 300 members. Folks from a variety of backgrounds who had never thought of being real estate agents were now drawn to the real estate industry with the dreams of making easy money.
Things began to change in the late summer of 2005. The flood of buyers began to recede. Without an established clientel, new-to-the-industry agents found the dream of getting ahead had turned into the reality of just getting by. One particular new agent I know of went from earning $40,000 in 2006 to $10,000 in 2007 – and that story is not unusual.
However, while the ranks have dwindled, many agents linger on. Quite a few have taken part time jobs in order to get by. Others have settled in to the slower market and simply work at real estate when necessary – when something comes their way or the phone rings.
By now you’re probably saying “So What? What does that have to do with me?” My answer? PLENTY.
Many lakefront buyers have dreamed their whole lives about owning a lakefront vacation home. This is one of the most important decisions they’ll ever have to make. Here’s my pitch: a lakefront buyer deserves to work with a full time real estate professional who knows the lakefront market.
Part time agents have a place in the industry, but not necessarily at your side. Part time agents can’t be fully plugged in to the ever-changing lakefront market when they are spending half the day in other employment. You can do better. You owe it to yourself to get the very best representation.
Be picky. Be discriminating. Ask questions like “How many lakefront homes did you sell in the last 12 months? Are you a full time real estate agent? Do you live on a lake?” Don’t assume anything. ASK.
The buyer agents at Mr Lakefront are full time lakefront specialists. They work exclusively with lakefront buyers. They know the inventory of available lakefront homes and, more importantly, what the local rules and regulations are for property expansion and development.
Don’t leave to chance your opportunity to own that special lakefront home in Maine. Get the advice and counsel you deserve. We are eager to help you. Let us know how we can.
**************************************************
If you enjoyed reading this post, why not subscribe and have subsequent posts sent directly to your email?