One of my questions when hiring someone, whether for business or personal: Do you like what you do? And then listen to the answer.
'I love what I do,' said with enthusiasm, is what I want to hear.
I have tried this when working with a flipper, contractor, agent, attorney, etc. And there are specific questions. If someone does rehabs on properties, I ask them if they would allow their family members to live in the house. Listen to the answer. In my decades of RE, I have only met one rehabber who said he would never sell a home that was not good or safe enough for him and his family.
If a professional says they used to love the business, but there are too many problems now, listen. Is their passion gone, or maybe they never had that 'fire in the belly.'
As a brand new REALTOR®, a 'seasoned agent' asked me how I was doing? My reply "I'm loving it." The mature agent said, "that's because you are too new in the business."
After the first year, this same agent asked again, "How are you doing?" and I had the same answer. "I love what I'm doing!" She shook her head.
So I reversed the question and asked how she was doing.
Her response surprised me;
She hated Real Estate!
My follow-up question Why are you still here after a couple of dozen years?
She answered: " where else can I make money and have control of my schedule?" This agent was still taking floor duty, waiting for the phone to ring, had no repeat clients, and worked strictly for that commission check.
And it showed. When someone mentioned the agent's name, there were no accolades or warm fuzzies from past buyers or sellers. She worked much harder drumming up new business.
In my opinion, you can never be the best if you don't like what you are doing. Your work is more challenging when you constantly have to sell yourself and don't have the raving fans.
Sure, you can get by, get the job done, move to the subsequent deal void of emotion, and sell sticks and bricks but not homes.
Way back then, I made a promise to myself.
If ever I did not love what I was doing, it was time to quit. And three decades later, I can still say with enthusiasm. I love what I do!
Buying or selling a home
Call Margaret Rome
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