Coaching For Real Estate Agents

Image by alborzshawn, used under a Creative Commons licenseOn Thursday, I attended Exit Realty Bellingham's Open House.  They recently moved the agency to a larger, more visible and higher trafficked location in Downtown Bellingham.

At the invitation of a real estate agent, Tom Gurney, I had previewed the space the week before with him, and I have to say that I am impressed at how the owners remodeled their new space with strategic marketing (and community building) in mind.

The first thing I noticed was the warm welcome I received when I entered the door by the receptionist.  Obviously she didn't know me, but greeted me as if I were an old friend that she was happy to see come to visit.

This was refreshing, I have been hard pressed to find real estate agencies that I would call welcoming or inviting.  I recall on not-to-be-named real estate office that, when I entered the door, no one was at the front desk and everyone turned to look at me as if to say "Who are you, and what do you want?"

Not exactly a good first impression.

Actually, the very first thing I noticed was how far my voice traveled down the corridor of the hallway.  I have a voice that is deep, resonant and has a tendency to carry as it is, so it was a bit of a surprise to hear my voice fill up the entire agency!  I think the hallway became a sort of megaphone.

That may have unnerved someone more self-conscious than me, but the receptionist (I wish I remembered her name!) was not disturbed and was, instead, very affirming.

I can't say I particularly liked the set up of the offices on the first floor, which were separated by the echoing hallway.  It made me feel a little claustrophobic.

But that was mitigated by the other thing that impressed me as unique and a great selling point in the make-your-potential-clients-feel-welcome department.  At the end of the hallway to the left of the stairs, the owners made the conscious decision to create a little play area for kids!  While their parents are pouring over papers and talking boring house-buying stuff, the kids can happily busy themselves with crayons or Barbie and Ken or who-knows-what-all-else in a room designed just for them.

On the walls is artwork for sale, by local artists, the art of which regularly rotates.  Artists are always looking for places to showcase their work, and this is the first agency in town (that I know of) that invites artists to do just that in their realty space.  Exit Realty offers the space at no charge, and they do not take a cut of any of the artists' sales.

The owners -- Broker Mike Hays and Agents Andy and Angela Rogers -- also permit artists to use the space for artists receptions, at no cost to them.

Very cool.

This new Exit Realty location has LOTS of wall space.  I can't imagine how many thousands of dollars it would cost them to purchase artwork for the walls.  This arrangement with local artists is truly a win-win.

And if they are not working with an agent or are not currently in position financially to purchase a home, who do you think these artists will be thinking of when they are ready to buy?

Clearly, Exit Realty is looking to build their brand in Bellingham -- particularly downtown, in the heart of which they are now located -- as well as foster their agency as something of a community center.

In addition to the abovementioned features, Exit Realty also has a conference room and a larger board-type room, both of which they are making available to the public and community groups, again at no charge.  As of Thursday, co-owner Andy Rogers was telling me that they were in the process of putting together the calendar for the purpose of registering the rooms.

I told Andy that I, for one, covet his boardroom (!) and am excited to begin using it in the very near future.

These are excellent examples of "paying it forward" by creating win-wins for the greater good of everyone.  I applaud Exit Realty Bellingham for being "go-givers" in these positive, proactive ways.