I assume (probably shouldn't) that the value of utilizing a Realtor is self evident.  I know that's a long row to hoe, but let's just agree that people should utilize Realtors for every transaction for the sake of argument. 

Why should they choose you?  I'm asking myself the same question as I write this.  Yes, I have the MLS and can find any property listed on it in a matter of seconds.  Yes, I have lock boxes and a cool lock box opener that I often pretend to be a secret decoder ring.  Yes, I have a web site and access to Realtor.com.  But doesn't everybody?  Aren't these the basic tenets of our profession?

I know, I know.  Some Real Estate agents don't exactly inspire confidence, and just because you have access to the MLS doesn't mean that you necessarily use it correctly.  But let's assume that most of the agents out there can use the MLS correctly.  Is my success or failure in this business to be attributed to sheer luck, or do I have something to offer that can give me a competitive advantage over the rest of you?

I have a blog.  Well, there's a start.  When I think about blogging, I think about transparency.  Some people think it's over rated, and I can see where they're coming from.  But being transparent has to be helpful in terms of endearing myself to potential client, right?  It also proves I'm not a complete idiot, or at the very worst I am an idiot with acceptable grammar and spelling.  One downfall to being transparent is that people can see both the good and the bad in me, so it's almost a wash for all of my effort.

I have a few college degrees.  Of course, they're all in Criminal Justice.  That won't help me much in my chosen profession.  On the up side, it does prove that I have the constitution to stick with a task for several years, but my potential clients are probably hoping that it won't take that long to get their house sold.  Again, probably a wash.

I'm a Veteran.  Which, in and of itself, means nothing more than that I was 1) without any promising prospects for employment out of high school, 2) willing to get shot at and 3) foolish enough to think that I wouldn't get hurt.  Of course, it could also mean that I am loyal, hard-working, and principled, but that would be one heck of a generalization considering the armed forces is pretty much like any other cross section of society: Some heroes, some normal folks, and some scum bags under the same roof.  I do know a thing or two about military housing, housing allowances, and the rules for procuring housing as a military member.  One point me.

I'm an interrogator and hostage negotiator.  I like this one, because I know how relatively few people have ever completed this type of training.  Still, I can see the look of concern on people's faces when I tell them about this unique qualification. They're imagining me hooking some poor foreign national up to a car battery ( I assure you, that's not how I roll).  Still, it's useful once I get a potential deal to the negotiating table.  Another point for me. 

I have a wife who's a lot smarter than me.  And she's cute, too. This is probably my greatest value added proposition.  Two Realtors for the price of one, anybody?  

Still, I'm feeling like I need to widen the gap between me and the competition.  I haven't said anything of great and lasting consequence here, so I'm asking you: