How David is Different

Main Line Homes and Real Estate, Pennsylvania:
Originally Published by Main Line Luxury Living, January 3, 2009.

There is an old Chinese proverb that says there is no substitute for experience. Now that thousands of real estate agents (who entered real estate during the boom times) have fled the profession, we thought that a chat with David Oser, who has been a Realtor in the Main Line for 20 years, might illuminate why experience matters.

Main Line LL Question: The fundementals of real estate are the same no matter who the Realtor is. How does experience help any agent necessarily be better than another one?

David Oser Answer: Well, having participated in over 400 transactions I have seen every possible combination of errors and omissions that that can prevent a property from being bought or sold. Because I’ve ‘seen it before’ I know what strategy to take, with different personalities involved. My Main Line real estate clients can sense and see I know what I’m doing and it helps them be less worried about unforseen developments.

Also, because I’ve experienced so many situations, I’ve developed very large checklists and autoreminder systems for myself and clients that help people who need to ‘see’ exactly what is going on with their transaction. These simple things help my clients save a great deal of time and thousands of dollars.

Main Line LL: We’ve seen fist-fights erupt during closings that have fallen apart. How do you prevent these and deal with conflicts?

David Oser: First of all, when an issue comes up I address it immediately and never assume that the problem will go away. For example, sometimes sellers are concerned about the buyer’s financial qualifications. Often, the buyers are concerned about the seller’s truthfulness on the Seller’s Disclosure sheet. In both of these cases, calling the other agent immediatelhy and confronting the issue head-on sets the proper tone for the rest of the transaction.

Main Line LL: Every real estate website we’ve seen describes how the agent and company are ‘ethical.” What is ‘ethical’ behavior and how can the ethical practices of a Realtor specifically benefit a home buyer or seller?

David Oser: The ethical practice of real estate involves both following the letter AND spirit of the law. It also means ‘doing unto others as you would have done unto you.” Especially in a down market, there can be a lot of pressure on real estate agents to do whatever it takes to get a client or make a sale, like telling people their home is worth more than it is, or being untruthful to other agents during negotiations.

I’m kind of old fashioned in that my reputation means everything to me. From my Eagle Scout training to being a member of the Executive Board of my synagogue I know no that one transgression is worth damaging a good reputation. My family has been in the brokerage business for five generations. I have worked with high power Philadelphia law firms and local clergy and all have given me repeat business because of my ethical treatment of their clients.

Many times I have had other agents tell their Seller to accept my client’s offer because they knew I was being honest and telling the truth about my client’s interest in the property and desire to get a loan. Of course, since I’ve been around for 20 years they also know I won’t mess up any of the many steps of the process.

Main Line LL: Internet studies suggest that many home buyers are looking for properties and selecting agents through on-line portals. Is this true for you as well? Where do you get your clients?

David Oser: I operate several real estate websites and often advertise in the top spot of Google so thousands of people visit my websites. 90% of my clients are still through word-of-mouth referrals, it’s why my reputation is so important to me. Many of my clients who find me through the internet are people who are relocating to the Main Line and need a Realtor that knows the different towns intimately.

Main Line LL: Many of the real estate agents we’ve observed in the Main Line display their credentials. Do these have any relevance to how good an agent is?

David Oser: Credentials do indicate the degree of seriousness with which a Main Line Realtor takes his or her profession. For example, I am an Associate Broker. An agent can only become a broker if he or she has had a certain number of transactions, years in the field, and training. The State of Pennsylvania has over 34,000 licensed sales associates and only approximately 8,000 licensed Brokers.

The Certified Residential Specialist Designation also requires extensive training in business planning, making listing presentations, negotiating and closing smoother transactions, and working in the buyers’ and sellers’ best interest. There are millions of real estate agents in the US, but only a 37,000 in the entire country like me who have earned this designation.

If you find a Realtor who not only has a lot of designations, but who has worked successfully in the industry for over 10 years, that Realtor is probably very experienced and will do a decent job. He or she certainly should not make the kinds of rookie mistakes that cost home buyers or sellers who choose a less experienced agent thousands of dollars.

David Oser, Associate Broker with RE/MAX Executive Realty can be reached at (610) 520-0405.

“Does Your Realtor _____?”
Our Comparison of David Oser’s Services Compared to Other Main Line Realtors Revealed the Following: