When I went in to this business, selling Real Estate, I knew that I could be very good. My strong organizational skills and my background in process and process improvements would help me to provide superior service to my clients. And for years it did.
But now we work in a new reality; the process, time-lines and milestones are shifting like sand below us. The new reality is imbalance.
I find the most important thing I do in every transaction is to program all parties phone numbers and emails in to my Blackberry. This helps me when (not if) they call with emergencies or problems. I can also respond to all emergencies and unusual situations by email or phone from where ever I am at whatever time of day the problems arise.
I still manage to the process, but sometimes I do it so that I can feel like I have some control in an increasingly out-of-control process. We still have a legal obligation to have all the paperwork done properly and kept on file, but even that does not seem to follow the order that we expect. Information sharing and distribution is a critical component of our jobs, but lately it is harder and harder to get timely information. I am sure I drive agents on the other side of my transactions crazy, but I owe it to my clients to try to get information--even if it is not always available.
Most of my recent transactions have been a series of fires that I help put out. In the past year, I have only had one sale that went according to the expected process--no emergencies, delays or out of ordinary situations.
Houses are selling, prices are stabilizing. Now if we can just get a handle on the new reality of our sales process, I think I can get back to my old obsessive, process oriented ways!
Prime Development Land CO LLC - Overland Park, KS
REALTOR, CRS, 913.908.2215
Hi Holly,
Good Stuff. One of the first things I do, after putting everyones phone number in my smartphone, is to create an email distribution list for sellers or buyers with their home and work emails, so I only have to click one recipient for information updates. It saves me a good 5-10 minutes EVERY day. That converts to one or two more stories I can read my little girl at night, so I think its a good investment.
Ken
Jul 29, 2009 03:43 AM
Associate Broker, Momentum Realty - Reston, VA
A Great Real Estate Experience
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents
I love the fact that you mentioned that you think having good organizational skills will make you a good realtor. So many times, I heard "clients", friends and family tell me because they love looking at houses, therefore they should become a Realtor just sends chills to my body.
I like how you beautifully put into words our chaotic process that may seem like no process at all in our madness. You said it much better than I could ever do.
I flagged this post for a feature. I think you deserve it.
Jul 29, 2009 03:49 AM
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services PenFed Realty - Ocean Pines, MD
Associate Broker. Ocean City and Ocean Pines MD
I agree with loading every contact into my Blackberry with email and Numbers. It is so efficient to handle small details within minutes where ever you are to stop them from becoming big problems.
Jul 29, 2009 03:56 AM
Associate Broker, Momentum Realty - Reston, VA
A Great Real Estate Experience
Thanks so much for your kind words, Loreena. I love reading your posts so that means a lot.
Scott, you are so right...stop little things before they become big problems is part of our new (and probably old) reality!
Jul 29, 2009 04:08 AM
Century21 Beal Inc. - College Station, TX
A comment from a former old school person Holly:
The technical reliant folks come to my office with tears in their eyes when their phones and computers "crash".I still keep paper notes as a back-up (in addition to a back-up system). I do have a Blackberry, laptop and desktop but when the power goes off, or the gremlins wipe something out, I am thankful for my "paper".
Great post.
Jul 29, 2009 04:39 AM
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"
Holly You have to wonder how it was possible to sell real estate before all the wizardry, but we did it when I got in the business 33 years ago - it required organizational skills to overcome the fact you only ate blackberries :) Karen
Jul 29, 2009 08:46 AM
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado
I agree Holly, I have learned that not having those nubers in my phone have caused delays, now that's the first thing I do as well.
Jul 29, 2009 05:03 PM
Southern Homes of The Carolinas - The Powell Team - Harrisburg, NC
Concord,Harrisburg & Charlotte NC Area Real Estate
I'm guessing your background is in manufacturing management. Many of their philosophies work well in real estate, such as continuous improvement and quality assurance.
Aug 03, 2009 01:54 AM
Rainmaker
652,216
652,216
Holly Weatherwax
A Great Real Estate Experience
Comments(9)