Real estate pros: Invest in yourselves
Letter to the Editor
By Inman News, Tuesday, August 25, 2009.Re: 'Put "professional" in real estate title' (Aug. 17)
Dear Editor:
The problem is that in this day and age to switch a salesperson's hat to one of a consultant requires more knowledge and expertise than most salespeople have: knowledge about financing, ability to produce a good comparative market analysis, and use of tools available to get the most and the right information to advise the seller or buyer.
From what I see, a lot of salespeople are not investing in themselves. Lacking the tools, knowledge and information prevents many salespeople from putting "professional" after their title.
Jacob Shayovitz
Coldwell Banker Shayovitz Realty
Brooklyn, N.Y.
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Submitted by John Rakoci on August 26, 2009 - 7:33am.
I agree and believe as a whole the situation has become worse in the past few years. As those that jumped into the profession during the boom had little experience they have become part time now. Their 'real job' takes up most of their time, not much left to keep up with the market or to put into additional education. Every BIC that hires only full time agents should be applauded.
Submitted by Dave Robinson on August 26, 2009 - 2:41pm.
I have another take on being a "professional" in real estate. As a real estate investor, I dont want a realtor representing me who doesn't do at least a little of their own investing. It's like the carpenter who's house is never finished. My Realtor does her own investing, so I know she can represent me "professionally." As I teach fellow investors, it's one of the first questions when interviewing a Realtor, "Do you own any investment Real Estate?" If the answer is No, I suggest they move on, and interview another Professional. If you never plan on serving investors, maybe this isn't important. If you want investor clients, I suggest you complete your professional education by investing in your own properties.
Submitted by Susie Blackmon on August 30, 2009 - 4:28am.
Wow! So right about lack of professionals in the industry, which is why realtors have a huge respect issue. People who got into RE because they had nothing else or nothing better to do, with no business experience or education, have diluted the strength and respect of those who are professional, educated realtors who work diligently to keep up with the times.
Susie Blackmon
http://www.google.com/profiles/Susie28751#about
Submitted by Robert A. Hulme on August 30, 2009 - 8:45am.
As a whole Realtor's are very Professional here in Utah. Once in a very long while, I will run across the bad apple. I am proud to say I am a Realtor.
www.UtahCountyHomes.ws
www.UtahCountyRealEstate.us
Submitted by Paul Heim on September 7, 2009 - 5:13pm.
I have only been a Realtor for just over four years. I have however been making a living on pure commission based sales for 22 years. The same principles apply in any type of sales field, the product is just semantics. The process is simple; try, fail, try again, improve.
I just want to share a few vital lessons I picked up along the way that helped me, I hope they help you too;
1) Until you realize that you are your own corporation, all you will ever do is make other people money (original thought by Bryan Tracy and expounded on by self)
2) When instilling confidence with a client, it isn’t what you don't know that hurts you, but how uncomfortable you are with what you don’t know. Be confident and if you don’t know, say so and be comfortable with that too. Then do some homework.
3) Work harder on yourself as a person than you do on your job (Jim Rohn)
4) Never take the last dollar off the table in an negotiation, or the last piece of chicken from the bucket at a picnic. Makes you look bad.
5) Make a simple life goal that when you die, there will be nobody happy about it.
6) Get up everyday and say, ‘what can I do today to promote my business?’ Then do at least one thing.
7) Enjoy life, family & friends, stay balanced and rooted, and remember ‘Money only makes you more of what you already are’ (Jim Rohn) So try to be a better person every day.
Paul Heim
Silvercreek Realty
Boise ID
http://www.paulsidahohomes.com