I was wondering what would happen if used car salesmen were called Wheeltors, and real estate agents were called "used house salesmen"?

Do you think that Wheeltors would stand around at the car dealership wondering why people would lump them in the same sleazy category as some "used house salesman"?

After abandoning my real estate career to join the family business I figured this out: The reason I was (accidentally) so good at selling cars was because I had been a Realtor BEFORE my husband got the crazy idea to buy a car business.

Go ahead. SQUIRM.

I know you don't like thinking that you have any similarity to someone who sells cars for a living.   Selling used houses is far superior different.

But here's the truth: Wheeltors and used house salesmen have a lot more in common than handing over keys at the end of a transaction. 

In both cases:

1. Customers are nervous because they are making a major purchase
2. Customers usually must finance this purchase
3. The world makes judgments about you based on what you drive and where you live. That makes the decision emotional
4. Buying a house or buying a car is one of the only purchases where there is negotiating. In our culture, negotiating is NOT second nature. It is uncomfortable.
5. Other than first timers, the old house or the old car has to go away before you can get the new one.
6. You want to make sure you are not buying a moneypit
7. You appreciate a pristine presentation from staging/detailing
8. All that fine print and paperwork makes you crazy.
9. Secret thought # 1: "Am I paying too much?"
10. Secret thought # 2: "Does this salesperson have my best interests at heart? Or only his commission?"

Maybe...just maybe... what makes a used house salesman the same as a Wheeltor is much more important than what makes them different.

Maybe respect is overrated. Respect is about what other people think, after all.

But if respect is important to you then understand you don't get it by showing a lack of respect for another hard working soul.

Respect is not something you get by claiming your superiority or by explaining all the reasons you deserve to have respect in comparison to another.

We cannot demand that the world respect our profession.

Respect is a lot like trust. The only way to get it is to earn it.

You do it one set of keys at time.

Written by Janet Guilbault, Mortgage Banker, Broker and Direct Lender Based Out of the San Francisco Bay Area