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How to Really Measure Success in Real Estate

I have always been blessed as an agent in my area in terms of being "successful" . Many REALTORS® have different ways of calculating success. Some will count how many homes they sold at the end of the year, others will use their income as the gage for their success. I gage my success in a different way. For me, it is the relationships that I establish that will hopefully last a lifetime.

Many of my clients are first time homebuyers. I am honored to be involved in a person or couple's first home purchase. It is a milestone in their life that they will someday look back on with pride that they accomplished and I played a role in the transaction.

I have also been lucky enough to be invited to some of their weddings. As it turns out, I have been invited to 4 weddings this year. It is typical for me to be invited to 3 or 4 weddings a year that are clients that I have become friends with. This year I have had my clients, Ben and Amanda, get married. Unfortunately I was out of town for their wedding. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Wes and Rachel's wedding last weekend.

It was a beautiful cermony, perfect weather and they were surrounded by so much love and happiness. It was a really great day. I am honored to have been included in yet another milestone in their lives. I know both couples will have many years of happiness and love.

The best part about real estate is that we get to participate in the real life stories of our clients. That is what I call success.

How toReally Measure Success in Real Estate

Posted by Audrey June-Forshey, GRI, Gaithersburg, MD on 09/22/2008 07:40 PM

Comments (28)

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Originally posted at: Audrey's Adventures in Real Estate: How to Really Measure Success in Real Estate

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28 Comments on How to Really Measure Success in Real Estate

SEP

2008

AUDREY, One of the things that I have loved most about real estate is the relationships that I have developed. What an honor to help someone with what is probably the biggest investment they will make.

Hi Audrey;

Great Post!!!!!!

I Thank you for sharing..............................................................

Anthony

Audrey, that is so sweet! We think alike! And when agents approach this business like you do, they do well!

Hi Audrey

What I love best about the real estate business are the challenges and the unlimited opportunities.

Good luck and success

Lou Ludwig

Hi Audrey - it is wonderful to develop such lasting relationships with clients. That's what makes this sometimes insane career worth it! We typically get invited to a couple of weddings a year that are families we met through real estate. My mom's been in the business long enough that she's watched kids grow up and gets invited to their graduations. Keep up the good work.

Great stuff. It is all about relationships. The nice thing about this business is you have a great chance to make a ton of new friends. If you treat clients well they end up being clients for life but also in many cases friends for ever

Audrey, you are a true testament to building relationships with your clients and showing them they are so much more than business or a transaction. I love it! I'm sure they feel equally as blessed to have such a great and trusted resource and friend in their corner. Thank you for sharing. ~ Anne Marie

Audrey~ Nothing please me more than to have my clients call me even after the transaction to tell me they miss talking to me and to invite me over! Almost all of my clients have become my friends during and after the transaction. I value my friends and relationships much more the the money, that is for sure!

Marchel, I am glad to see you back. I hope you had fun in NYC! You have been on my mind, I am hoping you are well.

Anthony,Thanks, back at cha.

Patricia, I agree with you, it is more than just a business.

Lou, Thank you, me too.

Stephanie, I am probably like your mom. Wes is actually the son of my past clients, that is when you know you have been around for awhile.

Edward, You are so right, it is about the relationships. I have become friends with many of my clients, it really means a lot to me.

Anne Marie, You are so nice. Thank you. What you said is what I really strive for!

Hi Vickie, I feel the same way it really means a lot to me. I am hoping you are doing well. I need to call you and check up on you!!!

Audrey - I'm with you... the closings may keep the lights on, but the personal relationships are the true measure of our success... in my not so humble opinion. :)

I agree because they will also bring more business your way. They have friends and family.

Hi Jesse, That is a great way to put it. I have a post I am getting ready write that I think you will get a charge out of . . .

John, That is so true, and the blessing of the relationship is the best part.

Congratulations on being invited to your clients' weddings, I think it says a lot about your relationship with your clients when they invite you to their wedding. I was honored to be invited to one of my client's weddings this past weekend also, what a wonderful feeling to be the one that helped them purchase the house that they will make a home.

Audrey,

I agree with you. It is fun to make new friends and be part of their life. I have helped a lot of first time buyers and it is great to help them obtain their dream of home ownership!

How funny. Not only have I attended 4 weddings, I Christening and a 40th Birthday party of my clients this year, but my son was in 2 of the weddings. I LOVE my SOI

Audrey,

Great Post. Thanks for sharing.

The thing I like most about this business is the relationship I get with my clients. I acquire new friends and their families as well. Money will follow if you build a lasting relationship.

Victor, It is a nice feeling, isn't it. I am glad to hear you went to a clients wedding too.

Sharon, First timers are some of my favorites, don't you just love them? They get so excited.

Ellie, That is so great that your son was in two of the weddings. Me too, I love my SOI, they are the best.

Rosalinda, You said it perfectly. It is not always about the money because it will come like you said.

Audrey: I'm jealous! But then again, most of my clients are investors in their 40's and beyond and living elsewhere...

You really are so very pretty! Perfect features harmoniously placed on the face; great symmetry. Amazing sky in the picture also.

Mirela, You are so sweet. We were so surprised at how pretty the sunset was. They are a great couple. All of her friend from UNC came up for the wedding. Really great kids.

Four weddings! Wow...what an honor! I'm still waiting for a couple who said they were getting married soon...whatever that means.

SEP

2008

Sally, I had a really great time. It really means a lot to me to be included in their special day.

SEP

2008

Audrey - We think alike! I was just invited to a wedding (the buyers closed on their house yesterday) for a wonderful couple... they were a referral from their neice, who insisted that they call me when then decided to move to Orlando. Success isn't about money, it's about people we meet along the way and the relationships that we develop.

Congratulations... I wish you continued success!

SEP

2008

Hi Audrey. Love your story and the longer in the business the bigger your family will grow. One measure that has made a difference in my life are the client friends I introduce to each other. When I have a client from one area of the country move to Naples, I find another client from their area, went to the same school or shares the same interest. It's makes the newcomer feel so connected and so at home. The side benefit is that always cherish me for making the introduction and are committed to welcoming new friends when I call. It just keeps getting better. Thanks for sharing and greetings from Paradise. (I moved to Florida from Wheaton, just down the road from you.)

Debbie, Amen. I knew great minds thought alike!!

Greg, What a great idea! I have client parties but have not worked hard to make connections between clients. I am going to work on that. One of my brokers has a home down there in Naples. I used to go to Marco Island all the time - like 20 years ago. I am sure I would not recognize the place. Wheaton has gone through a big facelift too. Thanks for stopping by!!

Audrey, just the other day I was commenting on a post about measuring success by the number of deals you make in a year. I so totally disagree. (Of course the 'successful agents' who were measuring their success by the number of deals, don't agree with me ... or you ...)...

I am invited to my clients' homes for dinner all the time. They invite me to dinner, to baptisms, to birthday parties, etc. If only I had time to attend everything I get invited to ...

I know my clients trust me and think of me as part of their extended family. I know that whether I've made 5 deals in 1 year, or 50 deals, it will never be about the money; but about the long-lasting relationships with my friends, who started out as clients.

wow! Now that is certainly what I call, "successful"! You get to be part of two of the biggest occurrences of their lives!

SEP

2008

Sylvie,Some agents are so brainwashed into thinking everything is "me, me, me" they will burn out faster because of it. I also think the public sees through it and would rather do more business with the agents that have our philosophy.

Cristal, that is true, maybe they might let us be there for the birth of the children too ;0)

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