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The Value Of A Good Belt

By
Real Estate Agent with Realty One Group Cascadia

Vancouver WA Real Estate

The Value Of A Good Belt

I have had this belt for almost 25 years. It wasn't expensive. As a matter of fact it was free. Well, not really free. You see, I found it.
vancouver Washington Real Estate
I was rock climbing in 1983 when I found this belt wrapped around a tree in Malibu Canyon. It looked as though someone had used it to secure a climbing rope and rappel down the face of a boulder.  I have had it ever since.

For the past 25+ years, this old belt has served me well. It has been with me in France, England, Germany, Switzerland, and Mexico. Holding up my pants has been the least of the services that it has provided.

I have used it to lash surfboards to the top of a van during a surf trip in Mexico. On the same trip I used it to strap my surf bag shut when the airlines broke the zipper.

I have used it strap the door shut on an old truck of mine when the latch broke.

I have used it to strap a sleeping bag and other miscellaneous items to my backpack .

I have used it as a shoulder strap to carry my snow skis.

I have used it as a sling for my djembe drum.

I have even used it to lash dive equipment to the deck of my sailboat on a few trips across to Catalina.

So, what does an old belt have to do with real estate?

As Realtors®, we are that old leather belt! So many people that think that our profession is one dimensional. Buyers think we just find the house. Sellers think we just plant a sign and enter it onto the MLS. Those are the least of the services that we provide.
vancouver WA Real Estate
We determine the value of the home and council the client accordingly. (Buyers and Sellers)

We negotiate the deal with our client's best interest at the forefront of our actions.

We schedule and coordinate every aspect of the transaction from the first showing through closing, and beyond!

We protect our clients throughout the transaction. We write the contracts with contingencies in place to protect them at every stage.

We renegotiate the deal at every opportunity to make it better for our clients.

I could go on and on, but I think that you get the point. Our job is to make the transaction as trouble free for our clients as possible. When we do it right, our clients just might keep us around for 25+ years!
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Photos taken and copyrighted by Mark Hall 

When you choose us to handle your Vancouver WA real estate needs, you choose a team of realtors® who care about you and your family. Buying or selling a home is always more enjoyable when you work with professionals who will listen to your needs and who will work together with you to achieve your objective. We are very familiar with all types a real estate in Clark County and we specialize in Vancouver, Ridgefield and Battle Ground. We are also very experienced with new home and custom home construction having assisted several local builders in selling new neighborhoods in the Vancouver Washington area.  Additionally, we have helped numerous families build their own Vancouver WA dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service. Go to www.ernw.org for more information. See our video here.

Posted by

Mark Hall

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Comments(26)

Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

That is one awesome belt, and I would add the public is becoming very savvy about what a good Realtor does. It is now our turn to catch up to their expectations.

Nov 09, 2009 05:06 AM
Kristi DeFazio
RE/MAX Advantage - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Rea lEstate 719-459-5468

Very good analogy. We would be so lucky if our clients kept us around for 25 years! By the way, nice belt!

Nov 09, 2009 05:15 AM
Diana Hoyt
Lakes Region Buchanan Group, Ossipee, NH - Ossipee, NH

Must have been one helluva well constructed belt!  Good strong leather.  I don't think I have every had a belt that I have repeatedly used last longer than a couple of years.  Proves that quality is often more important than anything, no matter how much we, er, it costs or doesn't cost.  Nice reminder that as REALTORS we owe our clients and customers quality service that goes beyond robotly selling property. 

Nov 09, 2009 05:44 AM
Team Honeycutt
Allen Tate - Concord, NC

I love the analogy!  That is one strong, durable and dependable belt.  Just like we want to be as realtors.

Kathy

Nov 09, 2009 06:01 AM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

You have a belt for your analogy.  I have a pair of comfy shoes :-)   They fit, they are reliable, and they are trusty!

Nov 09, 2009 06:26 AM
Will Goodson
Sheffield Properties/Private Label Realty - Austin, TX

Well said... I like the comparison to the belt.  As Realtors, we do so much for our clients that most people never realize.  Your belt has had a great run.  I hope your next one is just as good.

Nov 09, 2009 06:26 AM
Richard Lecinski
Long Realty Company - Oro Valley, AZ

Some very well made points. Thank you and good luck

Nov 09, 2009 06:47 AM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Mark ~ Great post! You make an excellent point and in the process tell us so much about yourself - in the most engaging way. Love it!

Liz

Nov 09, 2009 07:28 AM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

Love the post Mark! Great analogy! :)

Nov 09, 2009 08:46 AM
Emily Lowe
RE/MAX Homes and Estates, Lipman Group - Nashville, TN
Nashville TN Realtor

Great story - and it sounds like you have had many exciting adventures around the world too!  I have a pair of shoes that I have taken around the world.  Still love them.  It's true that our profession keeps us changing and doing many different things!

Nov 09, 2009 08:47 AM
James Lyon
Vista Pacific Realty - Sacramento, CA

Great story, BUT I am not an old leather belt. I probably will be some day, just not today.

Nov 09, 2009 08:56 AM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

What a neat, neat post. I love the analogy of the belt for Realtors!

Nov 09, 2009 09:27 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Mark - It seems as though you starting writing well right away, based on the comment you left on my relocation package post.  :)  Great, great analogy! 

Nov 09, 2009 10:13 AM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Mark - As everyone else has stated this is a great analogy.

Nov 09, 2009 10:58 AM
Michael Bergin
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - ABR - SRES - Alexandria, VA
Northern Virginia Real Estate

Mark -

Well said, well written, great analogy.  I knew there was something I liked about that old belt of mine.

Nov 09, 2009 11:26 AM
Gregory Bain
Mezzina Real Estate & Insurance - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
For Homes on the Jersey Shore

i wish I could wear the same belt size I had 25 years ago.

Nov 09, 2009 12:19 PM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Great analogy!  Like a good belt, a great agent can solve any one of a number of issues and problems which arise during the process of a transaction.  Enjoyed this post.

Nov 09, 2009 12:49 PM
Damon Gettier
Damon Gettier & Associates, REALTORS- Roanoke Va Short Sale Expert - Roanoke, VA
Broker/Owner ABRM, GRI, CDPE

lol.....I think you are so correct...funny thing  is that the easier a client thinks a closing went...the better we did our job!

Nov 09, 2009 12:57 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

A nice analogy.  I will say I wasn't quite sure where you were going with this at first though it does make a lot of sense.

Nov 09, 2009 03:44 PM
Dee Mayers
Covina, CA
San Gabriel Valley, CA

Mark you said: "Are you trying to rain on my parade"?  No Mark, I like your comparison remember, the first thing that popped into my mind was, what if that had been a landmark.  Just me thinking out loud!

Nov 10, 2009 07:26 AM