Someone from my networking group asked me that question last week. My first thought was, I am a Realtor you know that, but then it made me wonder how many more people are asking the same question.
However, I am going to answer from a different perspective. Rather than listing all the things I do for a seller client or buyer client, I would rather list all the roles I take on when hired by a client.
I am your Real Estate Advisor. I will give you advice on real estate matters, give you information, give you my recommendations and give you the facts.
I am your Problem Solver. You need to relocate to a different area, you have outgrown your current home, you need to sell a home for a family member or vice versa, you are relocating to the area and need to find a home. Whatever your real estate need is can fix your problem.
I am your Price Comparer. In whatever area you are currently living in, or wanting to purchase in, I will do the research that will determine the current market value to make sure you are asking enough or that you are not over paying.
I am your Marketer. I will create a marketing plan to promote your home to your target buyer, which will include my recommendation to have your home professionally staged. By creating the “WOW” factor, we will make your home stand out from the crowd.
I am your Negotiator. I will negotiate upon your behalf and always look out for your best interest.
I am your Event Planner. Once we are under contract, I will coordinate all the support professionals needed for your transaction to move forward smoothly. Stay in constant communication with your loan officer, attorney, and home inspector to make sure that all specific dates of the contract are being met.
I am your lifetime Real Estate go-to person. The sale or purchase of your home is now complete but you can always count on me for all of your real estate needs.
Maria Mastrolonardo 
Naperville IL Real Estate Agent
(630) 248-6077
Maria Mastrolonardo is a full time Illinois Realtor specializing in Short Sales, has been helping home-buyers and home-sellers since 1997. Can help you with any questions or information regarding Short Sales for the Western Suburbs of Chicago which includes but not limited to; Naperville, Aurora, Downers Grove, Lisle, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Warrenville, Wheaton and Woodridge.
To reach me call/text at (630) 248-6077 or mmastrolonardo@gmail.com
You can also find me here!
It is good to remind people all the hats that you have to wear on their behalf. Well put Maria,
Maria~ We sure do a lot of different jobs within a job, don't we? Multitasking has never been easier!
Good response!
Frank, Vickie and Kristin - Thanks for your comments!
Hi Maria. Ryan Hill, Ryan Hill, Ryan Hill!:)
Ken
LOL Ken - Have you made your decision yet?
It is good to have a response to that question, ready. It seems to me that it should convey pride and joy in the profession, but not be too vague like - I help people fulfill their dreams.
I tell people that I finance real estate. If I want to add to that I may give something build wealth through home equity.
A real estate agent, a good agent, helps families achieve their home ownership goals.
Not much better occupations around than that.
Richard
Richard - Great tips! Thanks for your comment!
Might also add that there are many other hats that we wear, Doctor, Lawyer, and Indian Chief.
Nice blog. We do wear a lot of hats in real estate, that's for sure including babysitter, tour guide...:)
Bart - So true! Thanks for your comment!
LaNita - Totally agree, I have also done some house cleaning in the past :) Thanks for your comment!
Great way to describe what you do! I never realized just how much realtors do until I became a stager. My hat is off to all of you!
Sharon - Thanks for your comment!
I love it! And so true. It is funny how some just assume that right now because of the troublesome(Let's say) market we are in, that we are just sitting around doing nothing right now. Most of the time I just smile! Whatever! But I love your answers.
Hi Maria, this is a great list that easy to read of what we all do for our clients.
Maria,
That was one of the better responses to that question that I've seen. I may steal some of that with your permission
Good post. Good comments. People need to understand that we are not "just" salespeople. All the best.
Patty & Scott - Thanks for your comment!
Jeff - Thanks! You have my permission :)
Bob & Carolin - You are right, we are not "just" salespeople. Thanks for your comment!
Terrie - Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
I am the finest Realtor in Katy Texas!
Wow! Really well stated. Very much about how it helps our clients. Thank you for sharing that.
Excellent description of your job. The more specific the better. I'm often asked what I do and how am I different. I find I'm constantly refining my message. If a person can do that, the customer can trust and will want to do business with you. Have a great day!
Paul
Team DiMuria - Love it! :)
Sarah - Thanks! and thanks for stopping by :)
Paul - You're right the more specific the better. Have a great day!
Oh the folks who think a real job involves walls and a time clock and those who say "you don't have a real job". My 90 year old mother keeps asking when I am going to get a real job!
Maria - Great post! You are correct in that it isn't always enought to just say "I'm a Realtor(r)". You borke it down very nicely.
Great answer! We really do a lot in our profession. I wish more of the public would appreciate what we do instead of thinking we make BIG bucks and do nothing for it. I say...walk in our shoes for even one month then you'll see what we really do.
Hi Maria - I love how you brought out a variety of the hats we wear all the time. I like that answer much better than the standard "I'm a REALTOR". Your answer will certainly cause the person who asked, or asks, to really think about all the things we really do.
Ann
Dick - So true! Thanks for your comment!
Leesa - Thanks for your comment!
Janice - That's just it, I don't think they know ALL the things we do. Thanks for your comment!
Ann - Thanks and thanks for stopping by!
I'm a real estate agent answer is lame. I help people find there dream home.
What is it that you do exactly? I make people smile. From that start, anything is possible.
Maria - enjoyable read! I could certainly add a few bullet points to your list but will restrain (smile) Thanks!
My response - I make lemonade out of lemons. It's my job to create opportunities that lead to revenue.
Good post.
It's amazing just how resourceful realtors are??
Life is good.
I love your explaination and thanks for sharing. When Im asked what I do, I answer "I help make peoples' dreams come true and make thier lives better". Always gets them curious and asking all kinds of questions, even after I tell them Im a Realtor they stay interested.
Maria,
That's a creative way to describe what exactly you do. I bet most people will remember you for a long time after they hear that and it'll keep the phone ringing.
Maria,
This was very well-stated. I tip my hat to Realtors, who wear MANY hats!
At my networking group this morning, our Realtor told about a client who flew in from Boston, went looking at ten houses, came back to the Realtor's home office to sign her contract, and then SPENT THE NIGHT! The Realtor insisted she stay with her and her husband, because of the late hour and the distance to the client's temporary apartment. She EVEN let her choose an outfit from her closet to wear to work in the morning!
Now, is that above-and-beyond service, or what? Plus, it gives us a cool story to bring up with our clients and friends, in a non-pushy, "hey, guess what I heard today" kind of way!
....and, we can say (usually) "I make dreams come true," since buying a home is an American dream.
Russ - Absolutely! Thanks for your comment!
Marilyn - That is the reward, to make them smile :)
Tracy - Love it!
Linda - Thanks for your comment!
Michael - I like your response!
Esko - Thanks!
Anita - That Realtor does go above and beyond!
Kathy - Very true!
Just this week I had a family member ask me when I was going to get a 9-5 job. Being in Real Estate is one of the most rewarding careers with both the ups and downs. It does take a unique kind of person to be in real estate.
I love your response. Some BUYERS think they can do it better themselves until the deal falls apart!
Pippa - Real Estate is rewarding! Thanks for your comment!
Richard - Very true! Thanks for your comment!
Maria: AND, you are my AR sister and friend! Add that to your list. : ) I like the last part about lifetime real estate resource - that's what we all hope to become. Blessings and hugs ... -Pete
Maria: I think you left out Psychologist. :) I often find myself giving people the "it's going to be okay" talk a lot recently. Stressed out buyers and sellers often need our shoulders to cry on.
Pete - Thanks for your kind words :)
Chris - That's right! Thanks for your comment!
Hey Maria, we miss your blogs. Hope to see you back in the rain soon.
Very well put Maria! Many people don't realize just how much we do as Realtors. This is a great way to let buyers and sellers both know how we will represent them.