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Real Estate Makes Good Party Talk

Whether the real estate market is hot, cold, or anywhere in between, talking about real estate is always a HOT topic. What's your prediction for the market? How's real estate? Sales are slow, huh? Prices are dropping, aren't they? Sales are exploding! Prices are skyrocketing! My friend just sold his house. I'm thinking about buying a home.

Ears perked up listening for real estate talk As a REALTOR®, I hear talk about real estate wherever I go. I could be in a huge store or movie theater and my ears perk up when someone, anyone mentions the words "house," "real estate," "home," "mortgage," etc., due to my hard-to-control reticular activator. That's the same part of the brain that makes you see lots of Gray Jeeps on the road right after you bought one.

In this business, it's a good thing that people are always talking about real estate. Good or bad, fast or slow, real estate professionals only make money when we help a client buy or sell a home. We don't get paid for sitting in an office. We don't get paid for paperwork. We don't get paid for offers that are not accepted. We don't get paid more for showing 30 homes than we do for showing 3. We only get paid for the one our clients buy or sell.

I love talking about real estate. Every week, I talk to dozens of people about different aspects of real estate, the market, particular homes, the process. I enjoy educating people about what I know.

When I go to parties, the first things my friends ask me is about real estate. When I see my family, they ask about real estate. New acquaintances want to know about real estate. And I don't mind telling them.

Nowadays, I tell people that the best way to learn about local Northern Virginia and D.C. real estate is to read my blog, Virginia Real Estate News.

Real estate makes good party talk.

Back in college, I majored in politics. That made good party talk too. Nobody wanted to know about English literature and nobody understood what the systems engineering majors were talking about. Everyone wanted to know about my opinion on elections and every other issue.

I saw a friend last night and he asked me about real estate. I'm going to a party tonight and am certain I'll talk about real estate.

Real estate makes good party talk. And sometimes people at a party want to buy or sell a house.

Thank God I'm not a plumber or a Proctologist!

Posted by Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate on 01/19/2008 01:03 PM

Comments (40)

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40 Comments on Real Estate Makes Good Party Talk

JAN

2008

Brian - I agree. I love this industry and the impact we each can have on others lives and by extension the community and so on. It matters not whether I am at a ball game, shopping, eating out or just moving through life..........real estate talk is popular. Poly sci is nice, but ivory towers soon become boorish and pompous. Real estate is about lives and we are smack dab in the middle of it.

Fun post! And, so true - people talk about real estate stuff all the time. Good that you're using ActiveRain so that you can not only perk up your ears when you hear people talking, but you can offer your opinions, too.

Real estate is always good for a conversation. It's amazing how many real estate experts are out there. Buy a house, become an expert!

It is imposable not to get into a conversation about real estate. I explain to my agents to just get out and when you strike up a conversation with anyone in inevitably comes to "what do you do?" That opens the flood gates because once you say "I am A Realtor" you suddenly have a lot to talk about.

Thanks for the post Brian

LOL, I like your response to people to read your blog, I just had new business cards done and put my blog on them, plus my web site.

You are crankin' out these blogs like there is no tomorrow. Bless you my friend... can you send me some of your bloggin' mojo?

JOHN: Thanks for your comment. We do have the opportunity to impact many people in a positive way and be a positive force for change and improvement in our neighborhoods and communities. Real estate talk is popular everywhere.

CRAIG: Thanks for commenting. I'm sure your ears perk up too, like most real estate professionals.

You are so right. I can not go anywhere without someone wanting to talk about real estate. it is a topic close to my heart, so I do not mind.

Brian - Real Estate is the hottest topic on nearly everyones have to talk about list, my only issue is with those who think they know it all but have never been in real estate, some having never owned real estate but they know it all. Ive even had clients get real estate advice from the local mechanic who really believes he knows it all.

Heck I've been in real estate for over 35 years owned and or renovated more homes than I want to remember, owned, renovated, and leased retail outlets, owned timeshares, sold seniors life lease, leased industrial and commercial properties and I still don't know it all !! We are constantly taking educational courses, attending seminars, discussing real estate with our peers and WE STILL DON'T KNOW IT ALL.

So when the topic of real estate comes up at a party or a social outing and the conversation gets long and they ALL KNOW IT ALL I suggest they call me the next day and we can discuss their questions.

Just my take two aspirins and call me in the morning opinion !!

I find that I end up talking a lot about my blog at parties. A real estate topic comes up and I can often say, you know, I just posted on my blog about that. I NEVER mention my other website at a party. Funny how much a blog can change things. (P.S. my minor was poly sci!)

It's great party talk but close friends and family get sick of it after a while. We always have fun and exciting things happening that we like to share but sometimes I know I tend to talk too much about work.

It's all about building realtionships. I was just at my son's 1st B-day and spent several mintues talking about the market with my neighbor the loan officer. The market is top on people minds.

Welcome back from NY

This is more true than ever... I love to talk about it but also try to limit my involvement because it can consume my day... I once told a friend that when we get thru these rough times in the real estate business I was going to use all the material for standup comedy... best of luck and thank you for sharing a smile

I love talking real estate...but I never talk politics!

JAN

2008

Brian - I clearly think you made theright career choice. I'm glad you didn't go for the other options you mentioned!

Brian, I agree on the proctologist comment....I'll throw Podiatrist in w/ that mix LOL! You're right though, everyone is always interested.

-Colleen

You certainly wouldn't want your proctologist performing brain surgery. I went to a realtor's party last night and had a blast. It was one of those fancy, dress up parties at a country club. Real estate agents, bankers, mortgage brokers, attorneys, all those guys in the business were present, and what do you suppose the topic of conversation was all night.... Yup, you guessed it. Real Estate.

JAN

2008

I was at a restaurant once with a friend of mine (not in real estate) and the people at the next table were talking about real estate. She joined the conversation and forced me to give them one of my cards! It's sort of an anytime conversation.

WAYNE: There are a lot of people who think they are experts. They are difficult to deal with sometimes, and it takes that first mistake on their part before they start to finally listen to your advice.

JOEY: So true. Everyone wants to talk about real estate. It's one of those topics that's always on everyone's mind.

MISSY: On my next iteration of my business card (coming out soon -- as soon as I earn my broker's license in a few weeks), I'll have my blog, for sure.

DESIREE: I try to keep the posts coming. I'll FEDEX some blogging mojo over to New Jersey!

RANDY: Real estate is all around us. And people were talking about it at the party on Saturday. Can't escape -- though not sure that I want to escape.

KATHY: I agree with you. We are constantly learning and definitely do not know it all. So how can anyone else?

GINGER: Yes, I just gave out my blog info to someone at Saturday night's party. My wife is one of my best marketing tools at parties. She loves to get people talking about real estate and then hand them over to me on a silver platter -- kind of like "tag team" marketing.

CAROL: You're right. Sometimes I want a rest from talking about work and real estate with family and friends, but it's often them who want the scoop.

SCOTT: Relationships, and keeping top of mind. I want people to think of me when they have thoughts of real estate. You never know where your next client will come from.

Brian,

I have spoke to a plumber and a proctologist at a party, but not the same one!

Steve

RICK: There are lots of real estate stories that can be fodder for a standup comedy routine.

Brian - The best thing about talking about real estate is that you are an expert in the subject. You really never should run out of things to say. My ears always perk up as well :)

KELLY: I try to avoid political discussions too, especially with close friends or family. Real estate tends to be safer.

TOM: Thanks for your comment. I think I made the right choice too.

COLLEEN: Yes, podiatrist is another job in which I have no interest and which doesn't lend itself well to cocktail party chatter.

JON: Talking shop with a bunch of other industry professionals. Hopefully it wasn't too much doom and gloom.

PATRICIA: Real estate conversations can happen anywhere anytime with anybody.

STEVE: Plumbers and proctologists -- what interesting lives and stories they must have.

BILL: You are right. I never run out of things to tell people about real estate, the market, etc. Thanks for your comment.

JAN

2008

Brian- Real estate and politics are the hottest topics right now and what a great opportunity that is to be a part of a conversation that may lead to business! Katerina

KATERINA: Yes, they are two hot topics. I do try to avoid politics as much as possible, because it can be so polarizing to so many people. It is hard to avoid in the D.C. area. However, real estate is something I certainly don't mind discussing.

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