What is a real estate team? The more important question might be, why should you care?

To understand why a team is important, let’s look at a day in the life of a single, stand-alone agent.

Stand-alone Agents

Billy Broker arrives at work every day by 8 a.m. with his coffee, water, laptop and cellphone. This time of day is when the magic happens - calling current and potential clients, talking to people he’s met and others he hasn’t to ask, “Who do you know that wants to buy, sell or invest in real estate?”

By 11 a.m., his calls are done and new appointments set, so he prepares for meetings by completing his financial analysis and checking the register of deeds and tax records to fully understand the properties he will be discussing today. Some afternoons he might attend listing appointments and others, he might take a single buyer for an extended property tour. Afternoons often turn into evenings, especially if the clients have to work during the day. 
 
If Billy is fortunate, he’s home by dark and starts answering the dozens of emails, texts and voicemails he missed while out working with clients. He spends some time prioritizing for the next morning. He needs to draft a contract, negotiate repairs for a buyer, schedule both a home and termite inspection, make sure the closing attorney has all the documents needed for a closing, (deep breath), send a contractor referral to one client and a moving company referral to others ... and more.

Then he moves on to voicemail to find out clients came to town early to look at houses the very next day. Sigh… So much for advance planning! Billy is juggling a lot of balls right now and good for him. He’s busy and earning a decent living. 
 
But what did Billy miss?

• Someone driving through a neighborhood called the number on Billy’s sign, but he was showing a home and did not take the call. There was no message and the person did not call back. Strike one.
• Another buyer called about a property she saw on Billy’s website, but Billy was on the phone and couldn’t answer. The buyer called another agent. Strike two.
• One of Billy’s seller-clients called to ask for more flyers for their home, but Billy was at a listing appointment and could not take the call. Strike three.

Real Estate Team Operations

William Broker’s team has three key reporting supervisors: 

• The Director of Sales coaches, trains and holds accountable a team of buyer and listing specialists.
• The Director of Operations supervises and holds accountable a closing coordinator, client services manager and marketing manager and also runs the day-to-day operations of the team.The closing coordinator handles all transaction details from the time of contract to closing. The client services manager handles all seller transaction and administration from the time a listing is taken until it goes under contract. The marketing manager handles all things in the marketing realm.
• The Director of Client Development is responsible for all internet lead traffic and incoming calls.

Because of the team support, William is available to talk, meet and build meaningful relationships with his clients. Each facet of the real estate transaction is handled by highly specialized and trained individuals, with each person responsible for managing their particular niche. William Broker leverages talent for the sake of efficiency and volume and works on his business, not in his business. 
 
The team concept provides a higher level of client service that uses leverage and talent to work smarter, not harder, for clients. So, who do you know that needs to buy, sell or invest in real estate? Let our team of highly specialized professionals at KBT Realty go to work for you!

Kirk Pugh is a 25-year hospitality professional turned real estate broker. Licensed since 2009, together with his partners Becky Brown and Tyson Emery, they own and operate the KBT Realty Team, a division of Keller Williams Realty. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Kirk has been blessed to live in some amazing places during the course of his career and has called Wilmington home since 2001.“Seek first to understand before being understood" is one of the more recent quotes on Kirk's list of favorites. Understanding his clients, who they are, how they live and where they are in life’s journey is most important in determining how he can meet their needs.