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Does anyone have a one legged REALTOR®

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with CELLing Realty CalBRE #01445865

I was sitting here thinking.  We're not allowed to discriminate when we hire someone because it's the law, but what about REALTOR's®? A lot of people have never personally met their Agent. All business was transacted over the phone, electronically, or through the mail. They wouldn't know if you were a green-eyed two headed purple people eater, a nice elderly crank, or someone that acts young.  They don't know......they just see a Marketing Picture; a head shot usually, and we know these aren't always up to date.

 

But what if you only had one leg?  What if you got to a listing appointment, and when the prospective client opened the front door there you were... either in a wheelchair or on crutches.  The prospective client might look uncomfortable, after all how many one legged REALTOR's® have you seen on any Marketing Materials?  How many REALTOR's® with any Disabilities have you seen? Visible Disabilities, not the ones that you can't see.

 

How many Homes can accommodate someone with a Physical Disability?  And if it was you on the other side of a transaction, how would you act if the REALTOR® only had one leg?

 

These are just some initial thoughts.......after all we never know what Life may hold in store for us......so many times we end up in situations that we were unprepared for.....and the bottom line is our Attitude is what helps determine the outcome.

 

By: Kathy McGraw  - CELLing Realty

Comments (35)

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
There are others who have disabilities not physically seen but no matter what ... it's going to be the mind set of the person. Discrimination doesn't just lie in the disability...it lies in anything and everything a person who does not have an open mind lives with. Self...ewww. lol!
Feb 05, 2008 04:51 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate
Sally- Absolutely.....people that are closed minded might have the biggest "disability" of all.  So many people have had to overcome something in their life, and unless they specifically share the info, others might not know.  Self as you say is the most important.  But I would be trying to preach to the choir by telling you that.... you share this concept Consistently......Postitive Attitudes :)
Feb 05, 2008 05:02 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Kathy, this is a good topic. One of the most competent real estate agents I have ever met was disabled.  The first time I actually saw him, I was surprised.  Being disabled or any other perceived "disadvantage" has nothing to do with professionalism and competence.  The packaging is not nearly as important as the treasure contained therein. 

Feb 05, 2008 06:13 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
Kathy, I honestly don't think I would have a reaction to it at all.  We're not supposed to be perfect, are we?  I just want someone who is GOOD at what they do! 
Feb 05, 2008 09:04 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate

Lola- Exactly......and I am pretty sure I wrote a Post on not judging by the Package....as you never know what is hidden inside :)

Carole- Heck no we can't be perfect...and so right on that having someone that is GOOD at what they do is the most important. Honestly now...don't you know people that think people should be this way or that, and when they aren't there is a reaction?

Feb 05, 2008 09:17 AM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker
That's why I love blogging.  Beyond the head shot, it's a great equalizer.  The customer gets to know US, not the package that is presented.  We could ALL be one-legged realtors for all the reading public knows!
Feb 05, 2008 01:53 PM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate
Lisa- So true so true......hey how was the Marti Gras, did you go?
Feb 05, 2008 01:55 PM
Mike Norvell Sr
Morris Williams Realty - Leesburg, FL
Norvell Consulting Group
Could it be that easy...if the only handi cap were a loss of a limb, we can all accept that...Its the total lack of consideration, lack of an actual brain that is the real problem in this business...Good Post
Feb 05, 2008 02:05 PM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Kathy, This is a good "thinker" post. And yes, I too laughed! You just can't read a book by its cover. I have to think of this two ways. What would I do if my Realtor turned out to have only one leg and what if I only had one leg? Luckily the limbs are for balance and we could miss all four and still "be". Now, that would be scary. Seeing our Realtor roll in. What good is a cell phone for him? How would he unlock the door? Would he drive?

I'm getting off topic. Sorry.

My dad was a one armed man. We would walk into a restaurant or store and people would do the second glance thing. After people got to know the real "him" they would forget about his missing arm. It just didn't matter.

I personally would rather have a smart head and body rolling along side me in the world of Real Estate than a gorgeous empty headed dingbat any day!!!!

What we do for people in the name of our Profession is something to be Proud of. Only the best should be allowed to practice. Thanks for the think tank.    Deb

Feb 05, 2008 02:28 PM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate

Mike- Isn't that the truth.....many tend to think loss of a limb is a major disability, but brainless is worse :)

Debra- Spoken from experience....yes after people take the time to get to know someone they usually don't see any of the differences.  Getting people to that point can be challenging at times.  Thank you for sharing the story of your Dad.  Oh, and I agree with only the best should be allowed to practice :)

Feb 05, 2008 03:08 PM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker
Kathy, I went, I rode, I threw beads and I slept until 8:30 this morning (REALLY late for me!).  Thanks for asking.
Feb 06, 2008 01:28 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate
Lisa- Sounds like fun....must have been fun for you to be that exhausted :)  Did you guys get any residual effects from those Tornado's?
Feb 06, 2008 01:50 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
Kathy, society is being more accepting with people with disabilities. Just getting over the initial impact that someone is "different" is usually all it takes. Being one legged would have some difficulties with all the running around Realtors do, but there are artificial limbs too.
Feb 06, 2008 01:55 AM
Obeoman Glade Jones
www.obeo.com - Salt Lake City, UT

 

Kathy,

Great post -warm and funny-just so you know, I think ANY Realtor would win a butt-kicking contest with one leg in this market - what is there to stand on anyway?

Blog 0n,

 

Steve

Feb 06, 2008 03:33 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate

Gary- You're right...we are more tolerant today.......

Steve- Funny.....I think ANY Realtor would win a butt-kicking contest with one leg in this market - what is there to stand on anyway?  :)

Feb 06, 2008 04:01 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

You know as I think about it, I haven't seen any with physical disabilities and I don't know why that is. Now as for mental disabilities, I'm starting to wonder if most of us agents should have the handicap sticker hanging from the mirror of our cars.

Feb 16, 2008 04:18 PM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate
Todd- I think that many people have a preconceived idea of what an Agent looks like......now as to the Mental Handicaps.....hey there are quite a few that another line of work might not be a bad idea for everyones sake......the public and us :) 
Feb 17, 2008 02:42 AM
Anonymous
Sabine

hi everyone,

well, here I am.... I am a Realtor in Albuquerque, NM... and I was born with no arms! I do everything with my feet. How do people react? Really good. I think it just depends on my own attitude. If I think, having no arms is the most normal thing in the world, well, guess what??? People are going to think that too.

Mar 15, 2008 03:40 AM
#33
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
Kathy, with physical disabilities like leg problems I could see it difficult getting around showing houses. I too, would be interested to know how many in this business with those challenges do it. Like many of the commenters already pointed out too many have disabilities between the ears like prejudice and poor attitudes.
Mar 15, 2008 06:57 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate

Hi Sabine- I saw something on TV about a lady somewhere that does everything with her feet, she too was born with no arms.....that wouldn't be you would it?  I love your attitude.....I am happy to see you say that our own attitude influences how others see and treat us. Have you gotten anyone that didn't want to work with you?  I can see certain challenges to only using your feet....but then again I have never tried it.. Anyway, thank you for adding your comment here.....:)

Gary- Read Sabine's comment above yours.....and yes, prejudice and negative attitudes are in fact the most disabling of all.

Mar 15, 2008 07:37 PM