Real Estate Lessons From Antietam

Real Estate Lessons From Antietam

We recently visited Antietam National Battlefield in Maryland.  For those that don't know, Antietam was a pivotal battle in the Civil War fought September 17, 1862 and the bloodiest single day of combat in American military history.  Of 100,000 troops engaged in that day's battle, about 23,000 were killed, wounded or missing.  It's an eerie feeling to walk down Bloody Lane and across Burnside's Bridge and realize that my shoes trod the same ground that so many soldiers fought and died for that day.  A tragic day for our country that enabled the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Jumping forward 150+ years, there are lessons from Antietam that can be applied today.

Perspective.  The North called the battle Antietam, the South the Battle of Sharpsburg.  Same place, same events, same losses, but viewpoint does alter the sense of the event.  How often do we have our buyers, sellers, and agents looking at the exact same transaction, but seeing it an entirely different way?

Intelligence matters.  We're not talking IQ here, but knowledge of your opponent's plans.  McClellan was fortunate enough to obtain a copy of Lee's battle plans (Special Order 191) and knew that Lee's forces were divided.  The time to act was NOW.  How often can we glean intent and need from a home seller when showing a home because they've not been careful about WHY they need to sell?  Have you ever read a Facebook post that told too much from a home buyer?  When you have reliable intelligence, don't fail to use it!

Leadership in depth.  During the fighting, a general was shot and taken out of action.  Then his next in command was taken out too.  Within minutes that section of the army was in chaos because they didn't have a #3 to step into leadership.  Today, what is our backup plan?  Do we have agents crosstrained in our teams?  Can they lead without us there?

A few good troops in the right position can defend against superior numbers.  There weren't many Southern troops on the ridge above Burnside's Bridge, but they had the high ground, and they had the skill.  With two chokepoints on the opposite bank of the Antietam Creek controlling the Union advance, the Southern troops were able to hold off superior numbers until they ran low on ammo and men.  The parallel here is ZTR.  They may have superior numbers and finance, but we have the feet on local ground and the local knowledge that comes with it.  Blog the long tail searches the big ones can't touch with the same expertise.  Keep reloading and you can hold the bridge to your area home buyers and sellers.

Today's advantage can become tomorrow's deathtrap.  The South held position in a sunken farm road that became known as Bloody Lane.  While on one hand a very defensible position, once the line was broken and the flank exposed, that advantage became a killing field.  Ask yourself, are your real estate niches sustainable?  If you're a short sale or foreclosure specialist to the exclusion of all else, what happens when the home values rise and the need for the niche dwindles to a trickle?

It's hard to see the whole battle when you're only looking 10 feet in front of you.  Antietam's battlefield spreads over rolling hills, and in September 1862 much of it was covered in cornfields.  Visibility was severely restricted, add in smoke and the roar of cannon and musket fire and you have a clear recipe for chaos.  When the highest elevation is from horseback, you don't see far and you don't have the big picture.  Today, are you making a point of understanding your local market?  Tracking MLS trends?  Looking beyond your personal transactions to have a TRUE understanding of your market?  Are you educating yourself on national trends so you can anticipate what may impact your local market?

Don't keep repeating the same mistake!  Last lesson for today, the Union troops approached Burnside Bridge following the same path more than once, and were repulsed each time.  It was only when someone cut a new path to the bridge that avoided parading broadside to the Southern troops were they successful in breaching the Southern defenses.  If something isn't working in your real estate business, why keep making the same mistake over and over?  Try something new!  It may lead to another mistake, but at least it's not the SAME mistake.  Trial and error is part of improving our business!

"Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it".  Edmund Burke

Keep on Blogging!

Liz and Bill aka BLiz

REALTORS(S) Serving Warren County Ohio & Adjacent Areas

The Liz Spear Team of RE/MAX Elite
Elizabeth & William Spear
Ask for us by name if you visit the office!
Two locations: Lebanon & Mason, OH
Liz direct:  513-265-3004
Bill direct: 513-520-5305     
Fax: 866-302-8418
MailTo:  LizSpear@Go-Concepts.com
Our Website:  www.LizTour.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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