Special offer

I listen for a living because it's all about you.

By
Real Estate Agent with YourStories Realty Group MA# 9517963

I listen for a livingI listen for a living because it's all about you.  This has always been my professional mantra for good reason.  People want to be heard. They have their story and when they hire a professional for any reason they want that professional to know the whole story. It is never about the professionals degree, or awards at that moment, it is always about how well they listen to the story.  Once you know the story then you, as the professional can interpret and plan the best course of action for the speedy resolution of the needs and wants.

I am a Realtor® and because of this I am held to a higher standard.  I have a code of ethics I must adhere to or I will loose that coveted and professional designation.  Not all agents are created equal, just like back in high school. Everyone is different.  Everyone will respond in thier own personal way and therefore there is room for lots of professionals.  Personally I don't work with everyone. I don't work with certain types of homes.  I work on homes I know I can get a deal done for the most amount of money in the quickest period of time.  Because of this my statistics year over year are impressive, but even impressive statistics mean nothing to your prospect or client unless you are listening to them.

YourStories RealtyThey know what they want, when they want it and what they want to do afterwards.  A professional of any quality can't serve these needs unless and until they fully understand the story.  Storyteller Marketing has been my focus since I first loaded Fortune 100 corporate video testimonial stories onto the web back in 2001.  The ability to take the story of a home, it's neighborhood and community is a skill I have been honing since that point.  Your story is what drives my world.  Caring about the individuals I help each and every day is what fuels me on a professional, personal and emotional level.  If you would like to share your story, I am always ready to listen.  As a professional Realtor® who was named to the Top20Boston Realtors®in April of 2013 I am proud of this level of service.  I am even more satisfied that I listened to the stories I was being told and got my clients exactly what they wanted at a price and timing they loved. I listen for a living because it is all about you.

Posted by

Larry Lawfer, Realtor®YourStories Realty, It's all about you,

Larry Lawfer

Partner

Realtor®, Director of Marketing

YourStories Realty Group powered by Castles Unlimited®

837 Beacon St

Newton, MA 02459

larry@yourstoriesrealty.com, 617-774-8292

Jill Saddler
Draper, UT
Draper Utah Real Estate Professional - 25 years+!

Congrats on the award - sounds like you have some very happy clients! People love to be heard and feel understood - great job!

Jan 12, 2014 11:29 PM
Brad MacKenzie
Brad MacKenzie - Duxbury, MA
Turning Houses into Homes on the South Shore

That's it exactly. Listen and hear the story. They know what they want and it's our job to hear it and provide it.

Jan 12, 2014 11:32 PM
Peter Pfann @ eXp Realty Pfanntastic Properties in Victoria, Since 1986.
eXp Realty, Victoria BC www.pfanntastic.com - Victoria, BC
Talk To or Text Peter 250-213-9490

Hi Larry,

You mean there is a reason why we have two ears and one mouth.....

The more experienced our clients, the more the listening and respecting their story matters in their next phase in life is my observation....

Have a Great Week and a Pfanntastic 2014

Jan 12, 2014 11:36 PM
Mike Warfel
Mike & Rita Warfel Real Estate LLC - Avoca, MI
Associate Broker

Great point, shut-up and listen helps with clients, co-workers and your spouse. A great habit to cultivate.

Jan 12, 2014 11:59 PM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

Listening is an important skill that must be developed. It's unfortunate we are not taught "active listening" in school for the amount of time most of us spend there. Inexperienced agents spend more time talking than listening. 

Jan 13, 2014 12:12 AM
Rosie Crow
Serving Sugar Land, Richmond, Rosenberg, Missouri City - Sugar Land, TX
Exceeding Expectations. Delivering Results

It is important to be an active listener. That's why we have two ears and one mouth. We need to listen twice as much as we speak in order to understand and better serve our clients' needs. Well-written blog!

Jan 13, 2014 12:27 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Very good listening skills with a closed pie hole even though we are all in sales. And taking very good notes makes for a winning combination to know how you can help, guide, serve the buyer or seller in the real estate dog and pony.

Jan 13, 2014 12:56 AM
Lori Bowers
La Quinta, CA
The Lori Bowers Group

That's why we have 2 ears and one mouth. I have learned to listen more than talk even with firends. It takes way less energy and they are so happy to have someone listen

Jan 13, 2014 01:11 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Larry - Nicely stated. Listening is a critically important skill in any service business, and especially in real estate. 

Jan 13, 2014 01:13 AM
Larry Lawfer
YourStories Realty Group - Newton, MA
"I listen for a living." It's all about you.

Many of you have made the "two ears-one mouth" suggestion which is well taken.  I like to think of the listening part of my work as they client or prospect giving me a really good bullseye that I can later pull out my bow and arrow of techniques and ideas to solve your issues and aim directly at your bullseye.  Thanks for commenting I have already commented on all your blogs.

Jan 13, 2014 05:11 AM
Connie Harvey
Pilkerton Realtors - Brentwood, TN
Realtor - Nashville TN Real Estate

Larry, I have always felt that my listen skills, especially with Buyer clients, are the most important part of my job.

Jan 13, 2014 05:43 AM
Jimmy Faulkner
Florida. Homes Realty & Mortgage - Wantagh, NY
The Best Of St. Augustine

Listening is the by word for any successful realtor. How else do you learn than by listening. People are appreciative if you understand their problem and what they are looking for in real estate, and listening does that.

Jan 13, 2014 06:07 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

And your story is interesting too! I have watched your video's and read your blogs. Everyone has a story!

Jan 13, 2014 08:01 AM
Karen Feltman
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA KW Legacy Group - Cedar Rapids, IA
Relocation Specialist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Nice post!  You are right, everyone has a story....and a dream.  It is my job to help them get what they want with the amount they can afford.  Thank you for sharing your mantra!

Jan 13, 2014 09:05 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author
The true art of listening is not discussed enough...It is more than staring into space while someone speaks...
Jan 13, 2014 10:16 PM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Larry, you nailed it! Out business is to LISTEN - and not talk. Once we know what our clients want, it's easy to WORK on their needs!

(Will you be attending KWFR?)

Jan 14, 2014 11:03 AM
Larry Lawfer
YourStories Realty Group - Newton, MA
"I listen for a living." It's all about you.

Thank you all for such positive feedback.  @Praful I will not be there, I missed the deadline and got caught on the outside.  Lesson learned in this first year.

@Richie active listening is a learned behavior, I agree.

@Karen, you go girl!  Stay focused on your clients needs and wants.

@Evelyn, thank you so much, I appreciate your effort.

@Jimmy you have it nailed, my friend. Thanks for the comment.

Jan 14, 2014 08:40 PM