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It took me 8 years to sell them a home...and he sharpened my tools!

By
Real Estate Sales Representative with Jacobs Custom Homes

At my past job that I was at for almost 10 years I had a client that visited twice a year for 8 years before we found him the perfect home and lot....Yes, you read that correct, 8 years!  This couple was from Maryland and they loved visiting the Hill Country to get out of the cold.  He reminded me of my dad and he asked me more questions and had me give him more information than any customer ever had.  

I can tell you this much though.  He gave me much more than I gave him in those 8 years and I will always value that education!  I laugh today about how I really shouldn't tell people it took me 8 years to close a deal!  If you figured that out in money, I probably made about 50 cents an hour when it was all said and done.

I'm telling you this story because investing in people always comes back 10 fold. I think Franklin is the one that talks about sharpening the sword in the business world.  My buyer was a tool sharpener by trade.  He sharpened tools for over 30 years in the East and I can tell you for sure he sharpened me.  I learned more about building a home from him than all the many hours of training I spent in the class room and on the building site!  Not only did I learn about building homes, but I learned about what it takes to build trust and friendship.

I left that job 2 years ago and I have no idea how he found me, but I received a Christmas card from he and his wife this past year!  They still love their new home but thought they might want to get a little bigger one soon and could I help???? It's been 3 months so I'll let you know in 7 years or less if we find another one...the great thing is I still have lots to learn! 

 

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Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS
Funny, Kathleen.  You really gotta hang in there sometimes!
Mar 12, 2008 07:04 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876
Hi Kathleen,

I see this is your first post on Active Rain.  Congratulations!!  I just wanted to welcome you to a fantastic Real Estate Industry Network!  Welcome aboard, I hope you'll continue to Blog, and invite others.  

I’ve added a link to a post called, “NEW MEMBERS – Start Here” that will hopefully get you up and running with the least amount of effort, and also help you to navigate around Active Rain more efficiently.

I hope you'll find this to be a useful post in helping you get started. 

Again, welcome to Active Rain, the best place to start, and have a Blogging experience!

Good Luck to you and your business!  B-)
Mar 12, 2008 07:13 PM
Stephanie Moen (Lazcano)
Champions Real Estate Group - Houston, TX
Commercial Property Manager and Leasing Agent
Wow that right there is called patience, 8 years is a very long time and i thought 4 months was a long time.  I dont think ill able to top that good job
Mar 12, 2008 08:26 PM
The Trumm Team Omaha Homes for Sale, Real Estate
Keller Williams Greater Omaha - Omaha, NE

Welcome to ActiveRain!

If you would like a few tips on getting the most out of ActiveRain, please visit my blog Welcome to Active Rain.  It has a few simple steps of what to do now that you have joined.

If you ever have any questions, just let me know.

Troy Trumm
Mar 13, 2008 05:06 AM
Angie Vandenbergh
Crye-Leike, Realtors - Memphis, TN
A Crye-Leike Blogger

Hi! Welcome to the site. I see this is your first post.

There is a lot of reading on this site. I recommend that you read, read, read and then comment, comment, comment. There are so many different blogs to read. There are tons of topics out there from real estate, marketing, technology, seo, staging, mortgage, etc. It goes on and on. You'll start to get to know people and before you know it... you'll have figured out the benefits of the site. 

Also check out Resources for the Active Rain Newbie.

Good luck!

Mar 18, 2008 01:30 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

    We invite you back to ActiveRain in 2018!

Much has changed since you last posted to ActiveRain.  I encourage you to take another look at the website.  

  Best to you!

Feb 25, 2018 07:16 AM