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TOOLS OF THE TRADE

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Beam & Branch Realty TREC #547752

 

TOOLS OF THE TRADE.  I have read many blogs talking about the tools that real estate professionals use such as marketing, phone, presentation, coaching, etc.  What about the tools that you possess within your own persona?

The tools that I believe are the most crucial for any of us are the tools that make up who we are and what we stand for.  Here are my top FIVE personal tools that I believe need to remain sharp and well-oiled for use:

1.  LISTENING- really and truly listening and hearing what others are saying is essential in business.  You cannot simply shake your head in response to the other person, you must digest what they are saying.

2.  PAYING ATTENTION - along with listening is the tool of "seeing" the details and keying in on the little things that make a BIG difference.  Really WATCHING other people will clue you in to a million bits of critical information about them.

3.  The art of being CONCISE- so many folks have become so wordy that they are no longer communicating effectively.  The KISS method is always BEST - Keep It Simple Sweety is much more effective!

4.  KINDNESS - Nothing can replace the tool of kindness.  If I am irritated at another person, I take a few seconds to process why I am irritated and then insert this thought, "I have not walked a mile in this person's shoes so I cannot know what they are going through right now."  As soon as I remember this, I allow KINDNESS to prevail.

5.  HONESTY - This is the tool that must be kept the sharpest at ALL times!  No matter what, never, never let this tool become dull.  Of all my personal tools, Honesty allows me to sleep well at night.

Keeping your tools in check and in good working order requires daily maintenance.  Use them or lose them so to speak!  What is in your personal tool kit?

 

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Comments(40)

Pippa Mac
Chevaux Group Realtor, The Woodlands and Spring - The Woodlands, TX
The Woodlands TX Real Estate

Honesty is the tool that is missing the most for alot of people ... you are wise to advise everyone to keep that one the sharpest!  Congrats girl on the feature!!!!  pippa

Jul 13, 2010 05:36 AM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Paula,

Very well said. 

If I could be so bold to add 1 additional tool.  That would be competency.

Jul 13, 2010 05:40 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Paula -- so nice to see your post today, and what a great one. I'll keep your toolbox image in my mind.

Jul 13, 2010 06:56 AM
Morgan Evans
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

These tools are with you no matter where you go and who you are talking to, being able to communicate effectively is a skill that needs to be developed that you emphasize here.

Jul 13, 2010 07:15 AM
Wendy McSteen
Spring Realty Inc. - Channahon, IL

Hi Paula:  This is so true.  Glad you put listening first.  So many people are kind and honest, but do not know how to listen.  Thank you for this great post. 

Jul 13, 2010 07:27 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Great to have you back with us, looks like you've been doing some reflecting.  And you are right on target, without honesty, integrity, listening and paying attention, we have nothing.  Nothing that anyone wants anyway!

Jul 13, 2010 08:04 AM
Anonymous
Rebecca Diamond

Yes. Getting back to basics is always a good idea. How easily it is to forget these things when really we must all work on them every single day! Thanks for the reminder :-)

Jul 13, 2010 08:07 AM
#27
Ted Tyndall
Davidson Realty Inc. - Saint Augustine, FL
I will help You find the Home YOU want to Buy

Paula, good list. I like the "Kindness" point.

Jul 13, 2010 08:18 AM
Cindy Roeschen
Tricon Homes - Wylie, TX

the basics are sooooo important!

Jul 13, 2010 08:42 AM
Ken's Home Team LLC. | 360.609.0226 | Portland, OR & Vancouver, WA Real Estate Team
Ken's Home Team LLC. - Vancouver, WA
- SOLD IS OUR FAVORITE 4 LETTER WORD -

great Post, we all have tools in our life thathelp us, I do think that we do have a cap on personal growth were we can hire a coach to take us to the next step

Jul 13, 2010 09:13 AM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

Not just following up, but following THROUGH.

Jul 13, 2010 09:57 AM
Speed Equity® Mortgage Acceleration System
Speed Equity® - Olympia, WA
We help your clients Own Their Homes Years Sooner

Paula I think these are not necessarily "tools" per se, but rather inherent "qualities" that are essential for anyone in the real estate profession. 

Jul 13, 2010 10:13 AM
Susan Brown
Keller Williams NE, Kingwood Texas (Humble & Atascocita too) - Kingwood, TX

Paula, I like your toolbox.  Listening is something we all can always practice.  And kindness should go without saying - too bad it doesn't!

Jul 13, 2010 10:23 AM
Claudette Millette
The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA
Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Paula:

My clients have called it "understatement" but I think it is just a knack for listening instead of speaking all of the time. At any rate, it seems to be appreciated.

 

Jul 13, 2010 10:44 AM
Eric Michael
Remerica Integrity, Realtors®, Northville, MI - Livonia, MI
Metro Detroit Real Estate Professional 734.564.1519

When I saw the title, I thought it was going to be another post about all the cool tech gadgets that are out there. Turns out the post was even better. Thanks!

Jul 13, 2010 01:55 PM
John Sweeney
Crye-Leike Elite Realtors - Jackson, TN

I could not agree with you more!  All five are right on target but I really like listening and honesty.  Great Post!

Jul 13, 2010 03:00 PM
Bill Burchard
3B Realty: 951-347-3818, CA - Murrieta, CA
Broker, Realtor, Representing Buyers and Sellers

Very true, Paula. Especially listening and honesty. Just those two alone are very powerful tools. Thanks for sharing.

Jul 13, 2010 05:10 PM
Anonymous
Anonymous

 Paula,

 These tools can be very helpful to us as Realtors and in life.    Great Post!

Jul 13, 2010 05:31 PM
#38
Billi Evans
Murney Associates - Springfield, MO

I agree that all are important, but number 5, is in my opinion the top tool on the list. It only takes one dishonest move to ruin a reputation an agent has worked years to build.

Jul 13, 2010 06:55 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Paula.......practice honesty and everything else flows after that................Thank you and best

Jul 15, 2010 08:59 AM