PAY IT FORWARD AND DO THE RIGHT THING!

Pay it Forward and Do The Right Thing!

I began my career in real estate in 1983 in a local family owned company with the best in-house agent training in the St. Cloud area. Heck, maybe the best in the State of Minnesota! After taking my initial classes and my licensing test, I knew I had just enough knowledge to be dangerous!

So I landed in the company that could season me, and was surrounded by steady old hands, the great agents in the business at that time. I was given a desk in the basement bullpen area in the midst of a group of women who had alot of experience and generously shared what they knew, guiding me along and inculcating the good habits and ethics of a REALTOR. Thanks to you Wanda, Lila, Dorothy and Lorraine for helping me survive and thrive during my early years in this business, in spite of double digit interest rates!

Over the years I would like to think I have lived up to the standards of that company and the people who trained me. I know the first positive impression my Wife had of me was of a strong moral, ethical person. Most, if not all of the referral business I have received over the years, has been because of the trust built with clients.

Yesterday I was up at the reception desk talking to the receptionist, and as we were finishing, a young man came in from the front entry and asked if he could speak to a loan officer. He said he was interested in a home loan. The receptionist moved down the hall to find the loan officer (we have 2 lenders that rent space in our office) as the young man waited at reception. I stepped into the office managers space and asked, "Who's on floor?" He said "Rick is. Why?" I wagged my head like a trained horse toward the young man out front, and office manager made a silent O with his mouth, and then said "Maybe I should call him up". I nodded my agreement and wandered back to my office.

I don't know if he was a refi or a purchase, but something said purchase, and if he had an agent already they would not have let him wander into our building. Would they?

Later that afternoon I saw Rick at the copier room working purposefully, but with a very positive expression. My professional assessment is he had a productive floor shift. I didn't ask, and he didn't tell. Truthfully, the staff may have sorted things out, and Rick may have gotten the walk-in without my help. But it felt like the right thing to do! This is not my first day paying it forward from those marvelous ladies who mentored me, and I hope it isn't my last. I'm glad to have done the right thing, to spot the opportunity and act on it, and to exemplify the good training I was provided. Today I am on floor and I am hoping the staff recognizes a walk-in, and sends 'em my way :)