Be clear about charges; broker advises real estate agents

A real estate broker, Nana Jules Williams, has counselled real estate agents to defend every charge they ask clients to pay.

Mr Williams, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sheerspan Limited, indicated that some real estate agents take monies from clients without fully explaining what those monies are meant for. This according to him has led to the negative perception held by a lot of Ghanaians about the profession. He advised real estate agents to give reasons why they are taking money from clients.

“You should tell a client that you are not just one of those agents who goes round taking money from both landlords and clients but the reason you are taking money from him is that you advertise on a platform like Lamudi and there are some charges. You also pay staff that run around ensuring all documents are valid that is why you are asking them to pay for registration and this will enable your company work better.”

Nana Jules Williams was speaking on communicating to develop trust during the last session of the Agents Education Series organized by Lamudi Ghana at their office.

The real estate industry has been characterized by a high level of unprofessionalism although there is a high level of investment involved in the sector. Mr Williams went further to admonish that since lands and other properties are the largest acquisition of any human being, real estate agents should be transparent in their business dealings for success.

“People are suspicious of used car dealers like they are of real estate agents, that is, there is the need to build relevance by reading more and engaging clients in intelligent conversations.”

The CEO of Sheerspan Limited told agents to desist from the act of asking clients about their budgets in the first conversation.

“Immediately you ask for money, it gives an impression of desperation. Desperate people do desperate things, therefore engage in conversations with clients, earn their trust because everybody loves and appreciates respect.”

Client Relationship Manager of Lamudi Ghana, Paapa Kwasi Dennis, also added his voice on what it means to be professional in the real estate industry, “Professionalism is not about wearing a suit and tie. It's a thing of the mind. Be truthful in your dealings - showing residential areas when you tell clients you are taking them to residential areas is being truthful and that is professionalism.”

Participants who attended all three of the Lamudi Agents Education Series could not hide their joy on the knowledge they have acquired.

One of the beneficiaries, Nii Kpakpo Abbosey, highlighted some benefits he had acquired from Lamudi’s Agent Education Series.

“I have learnt so much. I am now going to treat my clients with respect and I hope Lamudi continues to organize these kinds of training programmes for us agents,” he said.

Agents who successfully went through the Agent Education Series will be presented with certificates. Lamudi is expected to continue with more of such programs in the coming year.