Want to be a Successful Agent? Learn to LISTEN

Want to be a Successful Agent?  Learn to LISTEN

Melissa Zavala’s May contest What Does it Take to be a Successful Agent These Days? asks us to devote an article to the one principle that would make a successful agent.  I have not been a real estate agent since 2010 but I don’t think that matters since real estate is a business like any other.

Knowledge of the business is critical.  Utilizing technology is absolutely necessary.  Placing the clients’ needs above our own is the Golden Rule.

However, at its simplest level, consumers want to do business with people that they like and trust.  The most effective way to accomplish this is by becoming the best listener they have ever known.

As human beings, we all want to feel important and as though we have value.  One of the greatest ways that someone can show this to us is by attentively listening to us.  By doing so, it tells us that what we are saying is important to them and that we are valuable to them.

If we think about the people around whom we feel the best, are they great listeners?  You bet.  Anyone who takes the time to listen to us shows us that we are important to them.

One of my favorite success trainers used to say "God gave you 2 ears and one mouth; use them in that proportion."

After Joyce and I had been dating for a few months, she told me that one of my qualities that really stood out to her (besides my incredible good looks) was that she felt that I really listened to her.  We went out for sushi on our first date.  She said that at one point during the meal when she was telling an in-depth story, I put down my chopsticks and devoted all of my attention to her.

Listening is the key to any relationship, whether it is business or personal.

When we listen to our kids, it shows that we value what they say which builds their self-esteem.

When we listen to our significant others, it shows them that what they have to say is important to us…that they are important to us.

When we listen to our clients, it shows them that we truly want what is best for them.

And when we listen to our bosses, it shows them that we respect them.

Listening is the key to negotiations.  If we can figure out what the other side wants and a way to give them what they want so that we can get what we want, both sides win.

Listening is the key to client-relations.  If we truly listen to what our clients want, we can find a way to acquire it for them.  This makes them happy which leads to…

Listening is the key to referrals.  Aside from the previous paragraph, if we listen to our clients and business referral partnerships, we will begin to learn new ways to help them which will in turn result in more referrals.

All of this transfers nicely into any business, including real estate.  Among all of the principles and strategies that one can utilize to try to be successful in real estate or any other business, listening should be the number one priority.

 

Top image courtesy of stockimages/freedigital photos.net

Lower image courtesy of Jeroen van Oostrom

The Condominium Project Approval Team at ReadySetLoan is dedicated to helping condominium projects across the nation to obtain their approvals with FHA and the VA or become recertified with FHA.  We have assisted more than 100 condominiums and we can help your project.

  

Please contact us with any questions regarding FHA or VA condominium project approvals.  You can email me at askeric@readysetloan.com or call me at 404-433-4565. I will be happy to answer any of your questions.

 

FHA/VA Condo Approval Specialist
404-433-4565 Cell Phone

860-644-3772 Fax Phone

eric.boucher@readysetloan.com

 

 

 Check out my article in the latest issue of Common Interest magazine on page 19!

Find Eric Boucher with ReadySetLoan Condo Team on Google+