Measure Twice...Cut Once
This is a point that I find myself always coming back to. Never think that your skills are forever perfected.
Someone once told me (can't remember who or why exactly) but the words were:
Measure twice...cut once
Perhaps it was in my high school days when I took "house construction" for two years as vocational education where we built a home from start to finish. I knew back in my junior year that I would never make it as a carpenter. I would starve or be fired. I either had a bad teacher or I was simply incapable of being a carpenter. I did okay on laying bricks, installing drywall and a few other things, but overall, I knew I wasn't inherently gifted when it came to construction, so perhaps this slogan is a flashback to the days when I messed up cutting trim and got scolded. Probably not, but it seems good enough to me to hang my hat on this memory. Another old saying: If you can't beat them, join them. Perhaps for me as it relates to my less-than-impressive construction background: If you can't build it, sell it! :)
These two years gave me a profound appreciation for the trades and especially how a carpenter can take a blank slate room and make it all come together.
But...
What I really like about this saying, is it is very appropriate to life in general and how I attempt to approach real estate.
It is not akin to paralysis by analysis, so it's not to over think something...
but....
If one were to:
- Home Pricing: Spend a good amount of detailed time analyzing the market on what is selling, why it's selling, and vice versa, versus less time and simply trying to get an average price range for a new listing, that is measuring twice and cutting once
- Home Staging: Really, really take a hard look at the home. Identify deferred maintenance, cosmetic improvements, and yes, home staging.
- Which lender should I choose: Really analyze rates, fees, break even scenarios, customer service, etc.
- Home, Pest, Radon Inspectors: Obviously, you want to know if the home has termites, will fall down, may have water intrusion or mold issues and the list goes on and on and one. Choose not an average inspector, choose a great one!
- etc.
Slow down...be in the moment...concentrate your efforts on the task at hand...do it well.
Measure twice...cut once...
This concept has served me well in life and work and I hope it does for you as well!
I'm not a huge fan of slogans, but this one has stuck with me through the years.
Chris Olsen, Broker, Owner, REALTOR
Olsen Ziegler Realty
Cell: 216.702.0537
Serving the Greater Cleveland, Ohio Residential Real Estate Marketplace
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