Character...

The six pillars of Character are said to be:

Trustworthiness

Responsibility

Caring

Respect

Fairness

Citizenship

I could abbreviate Realtor Standards and Ethics into: Strive to be of the highest character…

I have been involved in quite a few transactions this year… dealing with banks, short sale negotiators, appraisers, lenders, buyers, sellers, attorneys, HOA managers, title companies, repair people, and other Realtors.

I wonder what those transactions would have been like if everyone was working through the prism of Character and Striving to be seen as having the highest character… 

It’s exactly what got us into this historical financial crisis… Lack of Character...

I know at this time of year, my fellow Realtors, Brokers, and Owners are all sitting down and putting the finishing touches on their 2012 goals… I implore you to move “Character” to the top of your list.

What do you have to lose? a few sleepless nights...?  Even if you think this reminder doesn’t apply to you… 

Remember what Abraham Lincoln said,

Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.

All the Best in 2012!