You know what they say about gambling. The house always wins. When you’re buying or selling a home, that’s not a risk you want to take. Trying to list a home on your own, or relying on the wrong realtor – a weekend warrior recommended by your Uncle Bob – is leaving just a bit too much to chance.
I was reminded of this a couple of weeks ago, when I spent three days in Atlantic City at an event called Triple Play. Away from the noise, the blackjack tables and slot machines and the glitz, I gathered with several hundred of my colleagues to rub elbows, talk shop, but most importantly, to learn. Education is a vital part of what I do every day; it’s more than the classes I had to take to obtain my license. It’s a never-ending process that sometimes takes place on the job, but that also means getting twenty-two classroom hours every two years to keep my license current and my skills sharp.
So what did I learn? Well, as you’ve probably guessed, technology changes just as quickly in Real Estate as elsewhere, so I take care to stay on top of that. I also polished my marketing skills, since I don’t want to see your home gather dust on the market any more than you do. And, to make sure that my CNE (and all that goes with it) stays fresh, I also attended a seminar on negotiation. I even attended a workshop on body language that turned out to be as useful as it was insightful.
If that sounds like a lot of work, that’s because it is. I do it gladly, though, because this isn’t a part-time job for me. This is my work, and a big part of my life. It’s also, incidentally, something I take a great deal of pride in doing well. A very big part of doing my job right means being informed, and staying on top of the latest trends in my profession.
What’s the takeaway in all of this? First and foremost for me, it reinforced the importance of continuing education. Second, it reminded me that for all that changes in this business – whether those changes are legal, technical, or philosophical – it always helps to remind yourself of the fundamentals in order to stay sharp. Finally, after three days chatting it up with people I’m lucky to call not only colleagues but friends, I was reminded that we Realtors are a lucky bunch, because we have each other to fall back on. Yes, we can be competitive. Sometimes fiercely so. But at the end of the day, sharing our knowledge, experience, and best practices with each other reminds us that we’re colleagues as much as competition. We help, and serve, each other to better help serve you. The Realtor's maxim -- that it's all about location, location, location -- is only half the picture. It's also very much about education.
Need help listing your home, or finding one? Call me at 201-930-8820 x212
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