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I'm Not Just Another REALTOR(R)

By
Real Estate Agent with Allison James Estates and Homes BRE 01147104

 

I heard some people say not too long ago, that a real estate agent is one step up from a used car saleperson. A few years ago, I was in a tight financial position and felt that we needed to sell our home in Orange County and rent an apartment until we could get back on our feet. My wife and I had a couple different agents come by and talk to us about the comps and what they thought they could sell our home for. We hired a husband/wife team feeling we could get twice the efforts and twice the coverage this way. It's sounds great, and from what I see about team concepts today, it works very well.

Unfortunately what we ended up with was a couple of agents that did the bare minimum to market our home. They put a sign up, put us in the MLS, and a stack of flyers,in black and white,,,,,,,,,,and that was it! Oh yeah and that was after they came back through the house and told us to rent a storage unit and get rid of all of our furniture and pictures off the walls. That our stuff was old and didnt look good. WHAT? Our furniture was about a year old, and the pictures we had up were of my native ancestors. Well, we tried to cancel them but they wouldnt let us out of the contract, so we just went along until the agreement expired. The we re-grouped and listed with a great agent who did everything she could to get our home sold. Bless her heart, she even loaned us money to make a house payment. I'll never forget her. The house didnt sell, but the image she left with me is what I strive to be like even today. That was over 18 years ago and I have been a real estate agent for 16 years trying to make a difference in our industry in the way the general public views a REALTOR(R).

I try to give full service to all my clients. No short cuts. If the marketing plan I present and promise my clients includes color flyers, which it always does, no matter what the sales price is, if it calls for once a week follow up calls, even if there is nothing to report, if it includes a face to face each week, whatever, you get the picture, then I will uphold my marketing plan and execute it to the best of my ability. No compromises. This business doesnt afford it. It might seem like a big territory I work in, but like they say, good news travels fast and bad news travels faster! Everthing I do is done to earn my clients respect. If I dont earn it, then I have no business asking for referrals. If I cant ask for the referrals, then I have not only cheated my client of the level of service they deserve, but I have sheated myself of a referral or two or twenty.

No compromise, I cant afford it. That's why I say, 'I'm Not Just Another REALTOR(R)

Courage for the Journey

PS. Thank you, Linda Eisenmann, you have inspired me and I hope I continue to pay it forward.

Comments (5)

Jonathan Vetter
Mercury Lending - San Francisco, CA
I love your story.  I feel you passion, I try every post to have that come out.  It did for you here.  Thanks Michael!
May 16, 2007 05:40 PM
Ali Payne
not sure yet, still interviewing - Madisonville, KY

Wow. That certianly is something to think about. I definately want to be that type of Realtor that goes the extra mile and makes an impression on my clients. It sounds like Linda really made an impact on you, and I am sure that she is a wildly successful agent. Bravo to agents that take the time to make realistic promises and follow through with them.

May 16, 2007 05:44 PM
. .
San Diego, CA

"continue to pay it forward"

Michael, sounds like you are doing just that. You just earned my San Diego to Murrieta/Temecula area referrals.

May 16, 2007 05:52 PM
Sapan Behar
Royal LePage Wolstencroft - Langley, BC
My focus is always to differentiate myself from others by providing a level of service that is a cut above others. There are far too many agents, especially in a hot market like BC, that are in it for a quick buck. And they are the ones that leave a bad impression.
May 16, 2007 06:00 PM
Sandra Williams
Rancon Real Estate - Temecula, CA

Hey Mike, It is great to see you here on Active Rain! This is such a great group of people and as far as I am concerned you are one of the best! It was good to talk to you the other day. We should get together and see if we can figure out blogging in general--not just on Active Rain.

Sandra Williams - Rancon

May 28, 2007 09:57 PM