Awards Don't Sell Homes

I stopped applying for our association awards years ago.  What does that mean for me?  It means that I won't ever get to have the "lifetime Top Producer" title attached to my business card.   There are plenty of agent running around with the title that haven't sold enough combined in the last few years to make the current Top Producer Award minimum.  And you are right I've never had a seller ask me if I had any awards OR if I had any designations either for that matter.

Nothing wrong with being proud of your accomplishments, however, it is for YOU. I have never heard of a client asking  that and if there is its very few.  If I am picked on the awards I have or have not won other than what I have done for clients so be it.  I don't think its significant to ther person I hire.

I think awards are more useful to offices and brokers for recruiting and establishing dominance in an area. But, most agents meet with propspects and clients in their home. They never see the awards anyway and you're right, most people would never ask. They wouldn't know what Centurion or Top Producer really mean anyway. Give good service, be honest and do what you say you're going to do and the awards will never matter.

Matt,

I couldn't agree more, especially when the awards are grandfathered in from over a decade ago. It's what you're doing today that matters.

Rich
RichRich

So true about the client not caring about awards. I do get asked a lot about how many homes I have sold in the area. Your other top three questions that clients are right so true.

Awards? No. 

My association's highest threshold is a "Diamond" award and I have earned that level 5 years running. People don't care because it doesn't translate. They do relate to numbers- a house a week, 15 last quarter, etc. But precious mettals and stones? Never. 

Awards are for egos, I did not get into this business to get plaques and medallions and trophies, there are some agents that love this attention, but bottom line is, what are you doing for your clients. If you are not helping them, then a closet full of awards does no one any good.

Bryan: I think awards are more for stroking one's ego. I don't mean to take away from anyone's awards but there's no substitute for just plain old hard work.  I know plenty who have awards and they get them year after year. It sort of reminds me of highschool.  I'm all for the ones who truly earn them and I think they should display them proudly.  I still see agents using that tired, worn out million dollar club/agent. Gives the public the wrong impression. And the other thing is, when the market was hot and basically all an agent had to do was take an order, the awards were quite plentiful. Most anyone getting an award in the last four years, more than likely worked their fandango off to earn it.

I have heard sellers scoff at other Realtor's awards and designations. The sellers usually equate the awards to their second grader's "best smile" award or "Best Attendance on Tuesdays that Fall on an Odd Numbered Day of The Month" award. Anything to keep the self-esteem needle propped up.

Results, if you can move a 100 properties a year and do it consistently for decades, whoa. That is a lot of happy repeat customers and a slew of SOLD SOLD SOLD results. Performance not a dime score award is where the rubber meets the road.

The only gold star I'm looking for is from my client for work well done. That works much better than a room full of plaques and awards... 

Matthew, when I read your post I thought you might end up as a Realtor pinata, but overall the comments were very civil.  I couldn't care less about the awards, and I definitely am not going to pay someone to apply to win one.  My award is happy customers.  

Those in the know have a better understanding that all awards are not created equal, however often I think a buyer or seller feels comforted logical or not that the agent they are working with comes with some type of pedigree.  A pedigree that is determined by some title or award they have regardless if that title of award actually translates to a better overall transaction.

No they do not.. and may even in fact take away from the selling of homes if agents are too focused on the award.

I am not impressed with the awards at all.  Nor am I impressed with all the letters behind someone's name, I am impressed with a great referral from someone I trust.

I didn't know that you "put in" for awards either, and although I have earned quite a few, I never display them or mention them.

It is results that count. Not a trophy or plaque telling how great you are. I have a closet full of them and every one of them and $5 will get me a cup of coffee at Starbucks.