The best thing that ever happened to my Real Estate Career was my Geographical Move. I will admit that it was a bit scarry at the time. After all I was the Number 1 agent in the Number 1 office for the entire County. Folks this was not your typical I'm number 1 advertising ploy used by every agent that comes down the Pike.
No these were accountable statistics. At that time the Brokerage that I was affiliated with had a 35% market share. I was there Number 1 Agent. Life was Good but not Great. As I began to look around I could see that there was more to Life. I could also see a pattern of complacency. My wife and I ( were now married for 35 years ) and our children were not growing or exploring all the wonders that life had to offer.
I remember that Friday afternoon as clear as day. I had spent most of the day prospecting and returning phone calls on my active listings. When I arrived home for a bit of lunch my wife asked if I had any plans for the weekend? 
After thinking about it for a while I blurted out " Yea Lets Move " . I definitely had caught her off guard. My reasoning was that not only were we stagnating but in this small community there was nothing new going on and definitely nothing that we had not done at least 50 times each.
So what were the benefits to me moving. At the time that I was working in my small community the average sales price was about $60,000 and the average time on the market was 210 days.
In my new Market Area, a west side suburb of Portland Oregon the average sales price was $120,000 and the average time on the market was 21 days.
I had a lot to absorb in a short time. The first 2 weeks were spent driving every street in the new area. Armed with a few active listing comps of vacant homes I went from neighborhood to neighborhood. It was a great learning experience, one that I would not trade for anything. In the months and years that followed I have kept to that regimen.
My current market area In Portland Oregon is a large geographical area with a lot of diverse neighborhoods and price ranges. About every 9 to 12 months I choose a neighborhood that I have not been through in a while. I cleanse my mind of past sales and listing presentations. I arm myself with fresh active listings comps. I drive up and down the streets going through as many vacant homes as I can.
The end result is that I always come away with a renewed vigor and fresh perspective of what is happening in the neighborhood. This whole process helps me avoid losing great listings that I could have taken but didn't get because of past experiences. You know that old knowledge ( last year that house would of only sold for .... ).
Move, I implore you! Get out of your comfort zone. You will amaze your self as to your abilities as a real estate Professional. I guarantee it will keep you from becoming irrelevant in your market.
Herb Hamilton is a Real Estate Broker affiliated with RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors working in Portland Oregon
"A Real Estate Experience with Herb is on YOU will Profit from "
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