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Do You Feel Lucky, Punk? Your Real Estate Team

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

Harry Callahan (Dirty Harry): I know what you're thinking. "Did he fire six shots or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

Famous words from the 1971 classic movie Dirty Harry by Clint Eastwood. The bad guy needs to know if now cornered by the Detective and a pistol pointed at him if he is out of bullets or not. If he is, he is home free. If NOT, it's curtains.

Squirrel Hands UpSo too it is with aligning yourself with the right resources in a real estate transaction. Your Realtor, your lender, your home inspector, affiliate partners like Title companies, Stagers, Painters, Appraisers, etc. need to be ones that are capable. They say don't count on luck. Or that the harder someone works the "luckier" they get. But you are HIRING these people to represent you.

If it gets down to CRUNCH TIME, or "you know what" hits the fan do you really want to rely on "luck" that the person that is representing you knows what they are doing? That they will come through for you in a pinch? That's why you need to find conscientious, caring, hard working individuals. It isn't ALL about experience either. It is more about communcation and resources. I'd rather have an energetic, dedicated Realtor that will get all the answers for you and put YOU first over a veteran Team Realtor that keeps you at a distance and won't return your phone calls or emails promptly. Go for energy, enthusiasm, caring, competence, intelligence, and resources with the people you select to be on your team in buying, selling, or investing in real estate.

One other thing, find those with a good sense of humor too. It shows they handle stress well. PLUS, you just can't teach funny.

Doctor: Sure, Harry. We can save the leg.
[takes out some scissors]
Harry Callahan: What are you going to do with those?
Doctor: Going to cut your pants off.
Harry Callahan: No. I'll take them off.
Doctor: It'll hurt.
Harry Callahan: $29.50, let it hurt.

Clint Eastwood

 

Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Gary,

Love your illustrations! It is all about good recources and key word communication! Sitting back waiting for things to take care of themselves is not the answer. I count on my lenders, title companies, stagers, inspectors and fellow agents to pitch in and do their share. Proper expectations and going the extra mile on my part ensures all expectations are reached. Lead by example and they will want to do their part.

Dec 19, 2009 03:27 AM
Cherise Selley
Selley Group Real Estate, LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realtor

Great post Gary...the proper combinations of human resources who are involved in all facets of real estate sure make the difference...

Dec 19, 2009 04:04 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Gary - I always get re-energized when I am training brand-new agents with our company.  Great points you made here - love the scene you quoted!

Dec 19, 2009 04:15 AM
Leslie Prest
Leslie Prest, Prest Realty, Sales and Rentals in Payson, AZ - Payson, AZ
Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty, Payson,

Those kinds of people are sometimes hard to find. You say "you just can't teach funny" and my husband says "you can't fix stupid". Unfortunatly.

Dec 19, 2009 05:13 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Gary...You make some great points about the people you work with and that includes us agents with aour associates.  

YOu can't teach funny...You are right.   and I like Leslie's Husband saying...You can't fix Stupid!

Dec 19, 2009 06:03 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro

Gary--First of all...Loved Dirty Harry movies! But the points you make are very important. Work with professionals that will stand behind you during the tough times.

Dec 19, 2009 06:18 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Words of wisdom, Gary!  It takes a village to sell a house!  Finding the right professionals will make all the difference. 

Dec 19, 2009 10:38 AM
Sheldon Neal
Bergen County, NJ - RE/MAX Real Estate Limited - Maywood, NJ
That British Agent Bergen County NJ

I constantly push the importance of the clients 'team' and you are so right with your post. Unfortunately some still roll the dice ..... I guess they do 'feel lucky' !!!!!

Dec 19, 2009 11:03 AM
Toula Rosebrock
Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ
Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

ToulaRosebrock,com

Hi Gary:

Great post...people cannot depend on luck...

Let's not forget...

For some, if it wasn't for BAD Luck, there would be no luck at all...

Dec 19, 2009 11:59 AM
Tamara Perlman
Referral Network Inc. - Truckee, CA

Hi Gary--As usual, you've hit it on the head.  Love the Dirty Harry tie-in. 

Dec 19, 2009 12:58 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Gary!  Love, love, LOVE Dirty Harry and the analogy rocks too!  You're spot-on with another one!

Debe In CharlotteMerry Christmas

Dec 19, 2009 02:25 PM
Esko Kiuru
Bethesda, MD

Gary,

A real estate transactions involves so many moving parts that only a good team can keep the wheels from coming off. Dirty Harry had some memorable lines, didn't he?

Dec 19, 2009 03:23 PM
Cathy Lee
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

Great quotes here and I love Dirty Harry movies!! You are just the Best Gary!! Being married to a Realtor I know how important it is to have team effort and cooperation in closing a deal. Marvelous post!!  

Dec 19, 2009 05:12 PM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

I have always liked your"sometimes a but warped" sense of humor and as far as the post I have been fortunate to work with some of the best in the business over the years who are all accountable for their actions. It's great!

Dec 20, 2009 02:16 AM
SarahGray Lamm
Allen Tate Realtors Chapel Hill, NC 919-819-8199 - Chapel Hill, NC
Realtor - 100K Hours of NC Real Estate Experience

Yea, I'd feel lucky...if you were my Realtor! And no, you can't teach funny...but I can sure appreciate your sense of it!

Dec 20, 2009 03:20 AM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

You have to align yourself with the right people to succeed in this business as a Realtor or a consumer. The right person or people or your side can make all the difference.

Dec 20, 2009 01:51 PM
Guy Thomas
WR Starkey Mortgage - Colorado Springs, CO

Great parallel story to prove your point. You are right. Feeling lucky in tghe middle of the transaction is not how you want to feel. You want to know that your team can handle the details. That squirrel picture is great.

Dec 20, 2009 01:55 PM
Lori Kim Polk
Premiere Home Staging : Home Staging Services - Roseville, CA
Home Stager - Roseville, Sacramento

Love this. It is now my new mantra for 2010!  Thank you Gary!

Dec 20, 2009 02:05 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Great analogy Gary.  Of course it helps that I'm a big fan of the Dirty Harry movies.

Dec 20, 2009 10:39 PM
Kathy Nielsen
http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA
Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Gary - you have some of the best ever titles for your posts! I so enjoy reading the what you have to say.

In this case - same holds true. I enjoyed the analogy. Leaving anything to luck is just plain crazy. And you're right, you can teach funny.

Kathy

P.S. I love Clint Eastwood! That's all I have to say about that. (smile)

Dec 20, 2009 10:46 PM