I Never Knew I Had Value: What a Conversation in Church Taught Me About Being a Realtor

I was sitting in church, waiting for a meeting, when some strangers sat down next to me. I had never met them. I just happened to sit down.

They started talking about their experience finding a home. And they got emotional. They had been so disappointed in the process that they had decided to part ways with their previous realtor.

I listened. And as we started to talk about their next real estate journey, we really got into it. We talked about what was going on in their home, and why it wasn't fitting how they live. We talked about the different kinds of mortgages. And because they were doctors, we talked about the doctor mortgage. Nobody had ever discussed it with them. It could have given them more leverage, and possibly a higher pre-approval.

That's when it hit me.

The short answer: A realtor's value isn't only the sale. It's the time and effort someone puts into your journey, and the questions they ask before they ever talk about price. When that's missing, the cost is more than money. It affects how you feel about the next decision.

What I saw

I've asked myself, like anyone, whether my work makes an impact. Watching someone get emotional about a process that let them down, I understood something. When a realtor doesn't put the time and effort into a client's journey, it leaves a mark. It follows people into the next move.

What a real conversation includes

1. Their home today. What's working, what isn't, and why.
2. How they live. Their lifestyle, and what the next home needs to do for it.
3. Their financing options. The different kinds of mortgages, including programs they may not have heard of, such as a doctor mortgage or a VA loan.
4. The market in plain language. What's real, even when it's not what you want to hear.
5. A plan and a timeline. Including what to check before listing, such as your permit history.

What I took from it

I never knew how much value there was in simply taking the time. It made me realize how important this job is. And it made me want to do it even better.

Quick answers

What should a realtor do in a first meeting? Ask about your home, how you live, your goals and your timeline, and explain your financing options before talking price.

How do I know my realtor is working for me? They explain things, answer questions quickly and tell you the truth, including when it's hard.

Can I change realtors? It depends on any agreement you've signed. Read it, and ask the agent's broker or an attorney before you decide.

Is the doctor mortgage only for doctors? Yes. See the five questions in Doctor Mortgage in New Jersey: 5 Questions Every Doctor Should Ask Their Lender.

We live here. We work here. We serve here. Let's talk real estate. Call or text 609.469.4121 / 949.230.5508 or email melina@melinabradley.com.

About the author: I'm Melina Bradley, an Atlantic Highlands resident, a military spouse and an active, award-winning Realtor with the Melina Bradley Real Estate Team at Keller Williams Realty West Monmouth. We serve Monmouth, Middlesex and Ocean Counties, including Atlantic Highlands, Colts Neck, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Keyport, Manalapan, Marlboro, Middletown, Millstone, Old Bridge, Red Bank, Shrewsbury and Monroe.

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