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Who Has All The Answers?

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

After reading a blog written by Brian Rugg titled "So You Are A Real Estate ‘Expert'....Really?" it inspired me to write a few words on that topic myself.  What are the requirements that would render an agent an expert?  Would it be income; years in the business; education; or the number of transactions completed?  I think to use the word "expert" is a slippery slope.  Whenever you feel you have met a person who has a thorough knowledge of a topic, there is always someone who knows more. 

Rather than representing yourself as an expert, wouldn't it be more fitting to be recognized for your understanding and knowledge of the profession?  Wouldn't it be more appropriate to be recognized as an astute real estate agent?  An agent who has a vast knowledge of the business is a more realistic branding description than expert.

After decades of working in real estate, I'm thankful that I have enough knowledge to share with my team members and to improve their understanding of issues within our industry.  I'm fortunate to have team members who ask me to share that information with them and who want to improve themselves.  Be very careful when and how you use the word "expert."  You may not want to participate in the challenge that may follow. 

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Barbara Todaro, Great Grandmother to Caleb, Santino, Aiden and Gianni       

Todaro Team - Retired

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Comments(123)

Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Brian....you're welcome and thank you for the inspiration to write this.....that's how AR works....often we're inspired by someone else's blog post and you should place a link to that post within your blog....I'm sure you and I will have many future encounters....keep writing so I can continue to be inspired!!!!

Aug 03, 2010 06:04 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Jeana....we all need alot of that to survive....those are suvival skills, for me anyway!!!

Aug 03, 2010 06:05 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Kevin....very nice addendum to Richard's thoughts.....I like it....

Aug 03, 2010 06:06 AM
Ted Tyndall
Davidson Realty Inc. - Saint Augustine, FL
I will help You find the Home YOU want to Buy

Barbara, great thoughts. If you ever come up with a list of "all the answers", please put me down for the first release.

Aug 03, 2010 06:15 AM
Catherine Ulrey
Keller Williams Capital City - Salem, OR
Equestrian and Acreage Property Specialist

I prefer and use "specialist."  I agree with you Barbara, there is always someone that knows more.  

Aug 03, 2010 06:16 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Ted....I'm lucky to have any at all!!!!

Catherine....there is....and there always will be, no matter how astute one is.....

Aug 03, 2010 06:18 AM
Christine Hooks
Pino Agency - Pennsville, NJ
Celebrating 25 Years in Real Estate!

ok, that does make sense (Richard #103).

Whew!  I can take comfort in the fact that my mentor who was also a nationally recognized Realtor gave me the nod. 

BUT, I still believe that some of the posts here are reading too much into the word 'expert'.  It's not a bad word.  It is not a negative word.

Methinks a lot of the folks here have had negative experiences with an individual. 

Aug 03, 2010 06:29 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Chris.....if your mentor who is nationally recognized gave you "the nod" you're good stuff!!!  you and those who work with you, clients and agents, know that.....but there are those who don't know whether to s_ _ t or wind their watch, and they call themselves "experts" because some client who knows even LESS THAN THEY called them that....

Aug 03, 2010 06:37 AM
Dan Cronin
Ocala, FL

Wow, who knew the term "expert" would be viewed so negatively by so many. Obviously, nobody knows everything. If all-knowing is the criteria, then nobody would qualify as an "expert". The reality, however, is that licensed real estate professionals are expected to have "expertise" in the field of real estate.

Expertise consists of those characteristics, skills and knowledge of a person (that is, expert) or of a system, which distinguish experts from novices and less experienced people.

There is nothing wrong with being an expert, AND, there is nothing wrong with calling yourself an expert, but you better be able to back it up to your customers.

(and no, I don't market myself as an expert...not my style)

Aug 03, 2010 07:40 AM
Terry Chenier
Homelife Glenayre Realty - Mission, BC

Barbara,

I work and specialize in a relatively small area, so I put myself out there as an expert on the area.

Aug 03, 2010 07:47 AM
Bryan Robertson
Los Altos, CA

I think it's just as important to acknowledge what I don't know as much as what I do know.  If I don't have the answer, I'll tell whoever I'm talking to that I'll try to get it.

Know what you know, know what you don't know, and figure out the rest.

Aug 03, 2010 08:36 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Dan.....there are agents calling themselves experts because they passed the licensing exam and sold their first home.....

Terry and Bryan.....I'm with #103 and #107 on this one......

 

Aug 03, 2010 09:22 AM
Dan Cronin
Ocala, FL

Every real estate expert has to have that first sale. Shoot, now that they actually closed a sale they should call themselves "proven experts". :-)

Aug 03, 2010 10:08 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Dan....and that's why the using the term "expert" is ludicrous....

Aug 03, 2010 10:15 AM
Pippa Mac
Chevaux Group Realtor, The Woodlands and Spring - The Woodlands, TX
The Woodlands TX Real Estate

Barbara ... there is so much to learn in our industry and it is constantly changing!

Aug 03, 2010 12:51 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Pippa...it sure is constantly changing....

Aug 03, 2010 12:57 PM
Don Sabinske
Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates Inc. - Zimmerman, MN
Sabinske & Associates Inc.

If someone uses the word "expert", I am immediately suspect.  Really?  Expert at what?  Now, you've touted yourself as someone who knows what's going on, and I highly doubt it. 

Those who blow those horns better have a good set of lungs because their brains are oxygen-starved. 

Aug 03, 2010 03:17 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Don....I'll remember that one....

Aug 03, 2010 06:56 PM
Amanda Evans
DFW Living - Fort Worth, TX
Real Estate Broker - Fort Worth Texas

Becoming an expert in a field where there are no absolutes and where the only constant is change is futile.

My doctor practices medicine.

My lawyer practices law.

I practice real estate.

 

Aug 09, 2010 06:29 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Amanda....and I agree.....

Aug 09, 2010 07:26 AM