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How Comfortable Are You In Your Real Estate Skin?

By Barbara Todaro

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

December 28, 2011 12:37 AM

Are you comfortable in your "real estate skin?"
Well, there are some who feel very comfortable with themselves physically, socially and emotionally. How many of you feel comfortable within your profession?

This may seem like an odd question to ask of a licensed agent who may have been active in this business for years. The question is reasonable. The answers may be surprising when one soul searches for the honest answer.

There are many agents who have been treading water and within the past four years have been tiring and are ready to sink. As the market slowly rallies, this is a fine opportunity to restructure your business.

Start 2012 with a new plan!! A more appropriate statement might be to “start 2012 with a plan.” It’s amazing to think that the majority of active real estate agents in an office do not have a structured game plan for the coming year; they do not have a niche area of concentration; they have managed to survive and are hoping to continue with their journey to nowhere.

Find a mentor and ask for help. This person might be the broker/owner or manager of your office. Compliment that help by following the example of many ActiveRain agents who share their thoughts and experience. Subscribe and follow their suggestions.

Pick and choose what you think might work well in your area of the country, but make sure you put the advice to use. Start 2012 in a new light and do more than tread water. It’s time to get comfortable in your real estate skin.

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Barbara Todaro

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

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Cindy....that's great.... I think mentoring others is happening more and more today.... being a mentor helps your comfort zone too....

Dec 28, 2011 12:53 AM

Dagny Eason

Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT

Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Barbara - I have a plan, and plan to execute it this year, and build on it...

Dec 28, 2011 12:55 AM

Dagny Eason

Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT

Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

AND, I LOVE that photo!!!

Dec 28, 2011 12:56 AM

Rob D. Shepherd

RETIRED - Florence, OR

RETIRED

I am working on a REAL plan this year. In the past I have flown by the seat of my pants. Doing lousy some years and great others with no ryme or reason.

Dec 28, 2011 12:57 AM

Marcia Kramarz

Re/Max Executive Realty - Medway, MA

CDPE,LMC,CBR

Great end of year post - That was my focus yesterday - Have to say you gravitate to comfort - So part of a good plan is to push yourself out of the comfort zone!

Dec 28, 2011 12:57 AM

Joanna Cohlan

Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY

Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Hi Barbara, sage words my friend-being comfortable in your own skin requires a lot of soul searching.

Dec 28, 2011 12:58 AM

Barbara Todaro

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

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Dagny....I can't even imagine your NOT having a plan..... and that photo is about as comfortable as any skin will feel !!!!

Rob.... flying by the seat of your pants is not healthy....

Marcia.... that's right....we need to always have a push to the next level.... we need to progress and not tread water....

Dec 28, 2011 01:01 AM

Barb Szabo, CRS

RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH

E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

A great way to start the year. In the past few years it's become increasingly difficult to be comfortable in our real estate skin because the market has never been as challenging.

Dec 28, 2011 01:01 AM

Barbara Todaro

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

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Joanna....yes, it's a very personal and private moment....we need to be honest with ourselves about ourselves....

Barb.... that's why we need to plan and have a mentor to do "one on one" with ..... we all need that now more than ever....mentors need a mentor.... I have a mentor, and that person probably does not realize he's my mentor...

Dec 28, 2011 01:04 AM

Anita Clark

Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA

Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

It's time to get out of the wading pool and either sunbathe or jump in the deep end and take our business' to the next level. No room for mediocrity in today's real estate market.

Dec 28, 2011 01:07 AM

Barbara Todaro

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

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Anita....that's the truth..... those who are treading water, need to make a choice, while they still have that opportunity....

Dec 28, 2011 01:09 AM

Rob Thomas

Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN

Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

Barbara ...what a great way to look at things! I have to agree with Anita on this one ....Thanks!

Dec 28, 2011 01:14 AM

Barbara Todaro

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

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Hi Rob..... I agree with Anita too.... the time has come to make some decisions....

Dec 28, 2011 01:17 AM

Scott Godzyk

Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH

One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Barbara the key is if one is not happy in their profession, they will never succeed. Too many people only put forth 1/2 an effort and the results are usually 1/2 of what is acceptable. To be good at what you do you need to love your job and be experienced in it. great blog as always

Dec 28, 2011 01:31 AM

Barbara Todaro

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

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Scott...having passion for what you do is a key factor.... sounds like another post might be brewing....

Dec 28, 2011 02:03 AM

Former Agent

None - Adak, AK

Hi Barbara. Another great post. I am starting to get more comfortable in my "real estate agent" skin. It's quite a transition from my "attorney" skin, or rather armor! Happy Holidays.

Dec 28, 2011 03:15 AM

Barbara Todaro

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

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Aimee.....I would be very surprised if you were not more than comfortable with real estate.....you are so much more knowledgeable than most agents just because of your legal background; you are literate, do I need to say more; and you must have confidence just with those two elements..... I'll trade with you..... If I had a law degree, you wouldn't be able to talk to me!!! cocky wouldn't be a strong enough word.

Dec 28, 2011 03:36 AM

Loreena and Michael Yeo

3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX

Real Estate Agents

It's without a doubt that this is where I need to be and what I need to do this season of my life. Just today (Wednesday), I already have 2 leads. If I could clone myself just to spend some time to filter these leads, that will be a great start.

Dec 28, 2011 10:52 AM

Barbara Todaro

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

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Loreena....you're a natural at what you do and I think it's a perfect fit for you....

Dec 28, 2011 11:07 AM

Lana Robbins Realtor ® Licensed Real Estate Broker

Aloha Kai Real Estate - Clearwater, FL

Licensed in Florida, Washington, and Hawai'i

Hi Barbara. So far I have built up some momentum for the new year. I started executing my game plan for 2012 on November 21st and I hope it makes a significant difference in 2012.

Dec 28, 2011 03:51 PM