Have you noticed that phones don’t ring anymore? I’m not talking about the slow real estate market, but the replacement of the traditional ring sound by a variety of popular songs, Homer Simpson shouting “D’oh!” and other sparkling melodies that alert folks of incoming calls. Like ringtones, buyers and sellers from across the nation have a large pool of Realtors to choose from when they consider who to work with in a property transaction.

Some agents offer years of experience, others sell because “they know a lot of people.” There are the new bright-eyed and bushy-tailed agents who have a lot of energy ready for those first five sales. And many agents are out there with the whiff of desperation so pronounced that they’ll give away a car, iPod, new flat-screen LCD television, or slash commissions to practically nothing (as long as they can work with you when you buy, too).

The reality is that any of these agents can do a good job for their clients, depending on the expectations of a buyer or seller. If a seller only wants to list their house on the multiple listing service so the home will be visible to other agents, they’ll track down someone who will do it for $250 to $500. When more help is needed - for example how to stage a home or provide a one-year home warranty - then a full-service Realtor would better serve their needs.

Regardless of who a buyer or seller chooses, most successful agents in today’s roller-coaster market must remember to go back to the basics of selling real estate. They need to answer their phones, put the listing information online in a timely manner, take photos of the property (more on that later), put a lock box on the door, and most importantly do less talking and more listening. David at the Silicon Valley Real Estate Guide beautifully defines 8 Steps to Providing Excellent Service and Why We Sometimes Don’t Provide It. He echoes what I’m saying in that different buyers and sellers have different needs,

When consumers are looking for an agent to represent them in a real estate transaction, they need to find an agent who provides the level of service they desire. A first time home buyer may need someone who will take them by the hand and walk them through the entire process. A more experience buyer/seller may need less help.

Smart Realtors also recognize that a huge majority of buyers find their homes online, so an online presence is vital. That said, I am happy to introduce myself as a guest writer for banks.com. I am Kathy Tyson and am a licensed Realtor with a very successful regionally-based company in middle Tennessee. In addition to having the absolute pleasure of working with buyers and sellers in the Nashville area, I also operate a hyper-local community blog called This is LaVergne and have my own real estate blog which is becoming more and more neglected. I hope you stop by frequently and ask lots of questions. I’ll try not to foist myself on my own petard.