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It's Like A Sport......Are You Having Fun Yet???

By Barbara Todaro

Services for Real Estate Pros with RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired 104763

July 10, 2010 07:06 AM

Real estate, more than any other profession, is a sport. It requires an ethical approach in participation as well as a set of rules by which to operate. This sport has more competition than a baseball season has pitches.

The skills and techniques for every aspect of our sport are continually being taught by a variety of promoters. The methods of playing require the assistance of a coach or mentor. Even the veteran players need coaching and mentoring. Do we have drug enhanced participants? Sometimes it seems like it!!!

Our pay scale could improve compared to the professional athlete, but we are at an advantage in that there is no cap on our age requirement. The more seasoned the player, the better the results will be. Our season is the longest....IT'S NEVER ENDING!!!

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Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

thanks, Michael....nice photo....

Jul 10, 2010 11:52 PM

Kathryn Maguire

GreatNorfolkHomes.com (757) 560-0881 - Chesapeake, VA

Serving Chesapeake, Norfolk, VA Beach

I loved the one about drug-enhanced participants! But seriously, you need to keep training (learning) in order to stay on top of your game in this business. You have never learned it all....at least I don't think I ever will!

Jul 11, 2010 12:10 AM

Joshua Zargari

MJ Decorators Workshop LI staging and home decorating - Lynbrook, NY

MJ Decorators Workshop

It is the final game in World cup today...

Which team do you belong to...lol

Jul 11, 2010 12:24 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Joshua.....I soooo dislike watching soccer.....sorry.

Jul 11, 2010 12:56 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Kathryn.....learning never ends....and I swear there are more drug enhanced agents than one would believe...

Jul 11, 2010 12:57 AM

Charles Edwards Bentonville

Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney & Faucette 479-253-3796 - Bentonville, AR

AR REALTOR, Bentonville Real Estate Agent and Broker

I'm in total agreement. It's a sport, a competition and it is a race...a marathon, not a sprint!

Jul 11, 2010 02:07 AM

Jim Paulson

Progressive Realty (Boise Idaho) www.Progressive-Realty.info - Boise, ID

Owner,Broker

Some agents can hit it out of the park nearly every time and others are consistent base hitters. Others should stay on the ski slopes or play chess as a sport instead. Know your game and play to succeed. Success is where I find the most pleasure!

Jul 11, 2010 04:30 AM

Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner

Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA

Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Cute....I like the way you think. And if we see it more as a sport (game) we can adjust and take it a bit lighter? some agents out there are just crazy! relax and let's get things done.

Jul 11, 2010 04:39 AM

Jenna Dixon

Momentum Real Estate Group LLC - Marietta, GA

55 & Over | New Constructions | Horse Farms

I don't know how many participants are drug enhanced, but some certainly seem to be suffering the ill effects of past, long term use. Missing a few too many brain cells to stay in the game. IMNSHO.

Jul 11, 2010 04:53 AM

Jeanne Dufort

Coldwell Banker Lake Country - Madison, GA

Madison and Lake Oconee GA

Terrific analogy. Maybe thats what I love about this business (always been a jock!)

Practice, practice, practice.

Know more about your opponent's game than they do.

Play within yourself.

And... this is a team sport - make sure you do everything possible to ensure the success of everyone on your team.

Jul 11, 2010 05:08 AM

Lana Robbins Realtor ® Licensed Real Estate Broker

Aloha Kai Real Estate - Clearwater, FL

Licensed in Florida, Washington, and Hawai'i

Hi Barbara. This is one of the reasons why I continue to workout after I am done with work. It trains my body, mind, and spirit to perservere while getting stronger. It's a gauge that I use too.

Jul 11, 2010 05:09 AM

Anonymous

Faye Phillips

The sports analagy is a good one. Charles is right, it is a race. Of course I'd think that since I'm into NASCAR. Sometimes in real estate I feel like I'm driving around in circles (or oval tracks) going 200 MPH and wondering when I'll get to the finish line (get to closing). Then a caution comes out (one of a number of issues with appraisal, inspection, financing or just 'cold feet') and we go into NASCAR's version of overtime--green, white, checkered (two laps to go, but if another caution comes out we run pace laps and several laps later we try for another two-lap close). When its all over, do we have a clean run across the finish line, or is everyone all piled up and need to be sorted out?

Jul 11, 2010 05:15 AM

#41

Kay Van Kampen

RE/MAX Broker, RE/MAX - Springfield, MO

Realtor®, Springfield Mo Real Estate

Barbara, glad to hear about the age catagory. I never have to retire! My children can prop me up in the office and I'll keep on ticking!!!!

Jul 11, 2010 05:45 AM

Gene Riemenschneider

Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA

Turning Houses into Homes

I play this game using Golf ethics. However, some play it like a hockey game, where it is only against the rules if you get caught.

Jul 11, 2010 05:47 AM

Lottie Kendall

Compass - San Francisco, CA

Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Barbara -- love this analogy, and the point you make is so important. This year, you and other mentors here on Active Rain are my coaches!

Jul 11, 2010 06:25 AM

Mike Henderson

Your complete source for buying HUD homes - Littleton, CO

HUD Home Hub - 303-949-5848

LOL. At Gene's comments. I like the NFL better than hockey. There is holding on every play, the key is not to get caught. I think poker is the best analogy. You have your cards, they have theirs and the dealer is (banks, appraisal, inspectors.)

Jul 11, 2010 08:55 AM

Kent Dills

Broker, Dills Real Estate - Bellingham, WA

Real Estate 817-495-8028, Bellingham, Washington

Barbara, the analogy to sports is a great one and I agree with Karen (#37) that if all agents would look at it this way it could take some of the edge off and make it more fun.

Jul 11, 2010 12:42 PM

Shirley Soforic

F. C.Tucker co. - New Palestine, IN

Real Estate is a game. It is exciting. The players change every game. Each client is not your opponent, but your team mates. Like in a game, when you win, your job is done for that client and then you move onto the next game. Some games are hard to win, because the rules change in before the game is over. So you adjust your game plan to win. Like in sports or even life, it is not how many times you get knocked down, its how many times you get up.

Jul 11, 2010 01:30 PM

Woody Willis

Century 21 American Properties West - Jacksonville, NC

Great Post! I really enjoyed reading it. Woody

Jul 12, 2010 10:29 AM

Sylvie Zolezzi

Decker Bullock Sotheby's International Realty - Greenbrae, CA

Great post, I like the sport analogy and the team concept. Just as athletes, we have to continue training and practicing. We cannot rest on our laurels. Talking about training, I attended the first Agent Reboot in San Francisco yesterday, it was great. Ben Kinney of Active Rain did a great 4 hour training session in the afternoon, a little like RainCamp. Fabulous. I signed up for the new Active Rain Internet Marketing Designation, and I have a discount coupon for any of you who want to sign up as well. I believe you get $200 off with the discount. It is an 8 week program, can't wait to start.

Jul 13, 2010 08:10 AM