Lyn Trayte - Scottsdale, AZ Real Estate Agent - Scottsdale REALTOR

What year did you become a real estate agent?
1999

How many years have you been in Real Estate?
I have been in the business for 8 years. I was rookie of the year my first year and received sales

What is the average home price in your market?
I don't specialize in any particular market because my business is referral based. I have worked wi

Are there any new developments or trends in your area?
I see a great hesitation of Buyers now committing to the purchase of a home. They seem to want to sit back and wait to see what is happening in the market before "pulling the plug". If they do sign a contract for purchase, it's usually a "low ball" offer because they think everyone is overpriced and desperate. It's very hard to convince them that some listings are actually priced well. Sellers are becoming more "in tune" to the market and are being more realistic in pricing and flexible in negotiations by necessity.

Why do you enjoy being a real estate agent?
It's an old cliche....I love people and I love houses but that is the truth. Every job I have had has been in the customer service industry. I love the look on my clients' faces when they find THE house or when a contract is approved or when they get the key to their new home or their closing proceeds. It makes all the work in between worth while. I also love "the hunt".....working with Buyers to find THE HOUSE. I try to make friends with my clients that last way beyond the individual`transaction.

What is the most challenging issue you face as a Real Estate Professional?
Getting the Buyer and Seller together is harder work in today's market but it is when experienced agents are needed the most. It is a time for "weeding out" the part time/for profit only agents who got into the market in 2005 expecting the money to fall from the sky without much effort on their part. I think our clients appreciate us more in this market as well.

Tell us one of your client success stories or an interesting moment in your profession.
I had a couple with a young child who were interested in moving to a larger home so they could have more children. They couldn't (and wouldn't) sell until I found them something to buy. After looking at great length for a home, I thought of a friend of mine who had said at one time that they were interested in downsizing and who's home I knew would be perfect for my clients. I contacted these friends and had my clients see their home and did the sale. I found my friends a new home as well so I killed two birds with one stone. Interestingly enought, through networking with another agent who had a listing in the neighborhood where my clients' house was, I was able to sell their home before I listed it and coordinated all the sales to close together. 3 sales just by networking!!!

What is your best characteristic?
Patience is one of my best characteristics as we all have clients who take that little extra care and time. I have been one of those clients so I can sympathize with them and allow them to do "their thing". But my BEST characteristic is my customer service. I treat every client as if they are my ONLY client, no matter how busy I am. I have no assistants and handle every transaction myself from beginning to end. I pride myself of the fact that I go the extra mile for my clients, so that I am remembered after closing.

Who or what inspires you the most?
My Broker inspires me the most. He is the most charismatic person I know....always remembering you and recognizing you when you've accomplished something or at your back when you need him. When he left Coldwell Banker to start up a new Real Estate Company, there was no question that I was going to follow him. He is interested in making me and the other agents in this company successful...not just in the company's bottom line.

What is the best advice you ever received?
Take time for myself. It is so easy to work 24-7 in this business and, because I tend to put so much effort into my business, I forget that I need to tend to my own well being. My husband & I now travel at least 2 times a year and I force myself to take at least one weekend day off to be with him and my other family when they are in town.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Right here. I love the mountains, the desert and the WARMTH. Growing up in a colder clients makes me glad to wake up to sunshine and consistent temperatures on a daily basis. The people here are also very friendly because it's such a transient community....everyone is from somewhere else so they are anxious to make friends.