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Real Estate Makes Good Party Talk

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President

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 talkAs 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! 

 

Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
JOEY:  So true.  Everyone wants to talk about real estate.  It's one of those topics that's always on everyone's mind. 
Jan 21, 2008 02:15 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
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.
Jan 21, 2008 02:16 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
DESIREE:  I try to keep the posts coming.  I'll FEDEX some blogging mojo over to New Jersey!
Jan 21, 2008 02:17 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
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.
Jan 21, 2008 02:18 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
KATHY:  I agree with you.  We are constantly learning and definitely do not know it all.  So how can anyone else?
Jan 21, 2008 02:19 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
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.
Jan 21, 2008 02:21 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
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.
Jan 21, 2008 02:22 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
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.
Jan 21, 2008 02:23 AM
Obeoman Glade Jones
www.obeo.com - Salt Lake City, UT

 

Brian,

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

Steve

 

Jan 21, 2008 02:23 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
RICK:  There are lots of real estate stories that can be fodder for a standup comedy routine.
Jan 21, 2008 02:27 AM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate
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 :)
Jan 21, 2008 02:28 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
KELLY:  I try to avoid political discussions too, especially with close friends or family.  Real estate tends to be safer.
Jan 21, 2008 02:28 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
TOM:  Thanks for your comment.  I think I made the right choice too.
Jan 21, 2008 02:29 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
COLLEEN:  Yes, podiatrist is another job in which I have no interest and which doesn't lend itself well to cocktail party chatter.
Jan 21, 2008 02:30 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
JON:  Talking shop with a bunch of other industry professionals.  Hopefully it wasn't too much doom and gloom.
Jan 21, 2008 02:30 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
PATRICIA:  Real estate conversations can happen anywhere anytime with anybody.
Jan 21, 2008 02:31 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
STEVE:  Plumbers and proctologists -- what interesting lives and stories they must have.
Jan 21, 2008 02:32 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
BILL:  You are right.  I never run out of things to tell people about real estate, the market, etc.  Thanks for your comment.
Jan 21, 2008 02:33 AM
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!
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
Jan 23, 2008 01:53 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
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.
Jan 23, 2008 08:34 AM