In real estate, affluent and traditional clients have distinct characteristics, needs, and expectations.
Appreciating these aspects of your various clients is essential for delivering exceptional service, building strong relationships, optimizing marketing, achieving financial success, and ensuring compliance in the real estate market. Understanding these differences can help real estate professionals tailor their approach to high-net-worth clients.
Here’s how affluent and traditional clients’ expectations can differ:
Financial Capacity and Budget
Affluent clients have significantly higher budgets and financial flexibility, which allows them to often seek out luxury properties, second homes, or multiple investment properties. In today’s market, they are more likely to make all-cash offers or have pre-approval for large loans from sources other than traditional mortgage lenders.
Property Preferences
A preference that has seen a dramatic increase in priority is the need for premium wellness, sustainable, and lifestyle features within their luxury properties. Equally important is the value they place on privacy, security, and prestigious locations. Unlike traditional buyers who prioritize affordability and practicality, the affluent focus on attaining homes that meet their luxury expectations.
Decision-Making Process
Unlike traditional clients whose decisions are driven by immediate needs and practical considerations, the affluent decision-making process is based on want rather than need, with a focus on investment and unique property features.
The affluent also involve multiple advisors, such as financial advisors, lawyers, and business managers, in their decision-making process and expect their real estate professional to provide highly detailed and thorough due diligence in their real estate procedures.
Service Expectations
While all clients expect professional service, the affluent are highly focused on receiving personalized service that offers total discretion. Traditional clients value guidance on market conditions, financing options, and agents who can simplify the buying and selling process, whereas affluent clients value a more bespoke approach that includes a clear understanding of their lifestyle and financial goals.
Marketing and Presentation
Affluent clients expect exclusive marketing campaigns that include all the latest tools and strategies, including exclusive events with an emphasis on reaching only high-net-worth individuals.
Unlike traditional clients who seek exposure to the broader market, luxury homeowners often request that their property be kept private or only marketed through niche networks, underpinning their belief that this keeps their property exclusive.
Negotiation and Closing
While affluent clients prefer a seamless, concierge-level closing experience, they also accept that their deals are more likely to include complex terms and unique conditions.
In the traditional market, the negotiation process often focuses on the conventional aspects of price and terms, whereas in the luxury arena, a luxury real estate professional must come equipped and ready to apply sophisticated tactics, flexibility, and expertise.
Post-Sale Services
Another area that differs greatly between clients in the traditional and luxury markets lies in the expectation of continued support.
While traditional clients seek post-sale support to transition into their new home, especially appreciating recommendations for local services and resources, the affluent often value a longer, continued relationship. This can include services such as property management, concierge support, and ongoing investment advice. Once a bond is formed, a luxury professional can anticipate becoming part of the advisory team with whom high-net-worth individuals surround themselves.
Understanding these differences enables real estate professionals to better meet the unique needs of both affluent and traditional clients, ensuring a more successful and satisfying real estate transaction for all parties involved.
In a recent Estate of Mind Podcast, Tami Simms and Jack Miller explore the key differences between working with clients in the traditional versus luxury market. They discuss the nuances of working with a higher-end clientele and why their expectations, preferences, and decision-making processes are different. Take the opportunity to review their podcast and enjoy some of their insights, personal experiences, and strategies they employ when working with affluent clients.
View the Full Podcast Episode – Luxury Real Estate : Key Differences and Strategies for Success
Stay Ahead with The Institute
If you want more guidance on how to grow your luxury real estate practice and develop your skills when working with the affluent, learn more about The Institute’s training options.
Becoming a member of The Institute is a valuable investment in your future success as a luxury real estate professional. Access how to succeed in the luxury market through training, certification, advanced learning experiences, and connecting to a network of successful real estate professionals throughout the United States and Canada.
Our Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist™ (CLHMS™) designation is recognized throughout the globe. Take advantage of the training offered and the information you’ll receive through The Institute’s Local Luxury Market Reports, published monthly exclusively for members.