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Can You Face Your Fears?

By Mary Yonkers

Education & Training with Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate

October 25, 2015 11:35 AM

Fear vs Fearless

What is the scariest part of being a real estate agent?

For Sale by Owner

For some of us it is no business on the horizon, for others it is knocking on the door of For Sale by Owners, or returning call from an unhappy client.

Angry caller

If we admit it most of us have at least one thing the scares us a bit #*@%* !!!

Now if you are 8 going on 18 there isn't much that stops you. Just ask Jacob, age 8.

Yesterday Jacob & I attended TREC or Treat Fun at Tom Ridge Environmental Center, TREC, in Erie, PA. For many kids the many reason for attending was free treats, but Jacob spent the bulk of four hours with the live animals on display provided by All Things Wild.

Jacob No Fear

Yes, that is a tarantula climbing up Jacob's arm. Per its handler only people who are allergic to bee stings need to fear this tarantula. For Jacob it was a challenge that he gladly embraced.

Jacob Collage

As soon as we arrived Jacob was drawn to the Ball Python and delighted in being a junior assistant to the show leader. He helped other kids and adults handle the snake, tarantula, gecko and alligator. The most normal animals in the show were the rabbit and maybe the white ferret.

Now, Jacob is very persuasive so he actually got me to pet the snake but I drew the line on holding it. No, I would not touch the tarantula!! No way!

Jacob hopes to talk his mother into buying him a snake for his ninth birthday next month. Did you know that you can buy this snake for $350 plus $110 for glass gage? And, if Mom doesn't want a snake at her house he trying to convince Dave & I to keep it at our house. Jacob promises to come once a week to feed it live prey and clean the gage.

As real estate agents we can learn from an eight year old that yes we can conquer our fears and we might just enjoy the exhilariation of success.

I do not know any real estate agent who died from contact with a FSBO, but I do know a few 'listless' real estate agents who left the real estate business penniless.

Homeless

If a fearless eight year old could get a real estate license just imagine the possibilities.

Learn more in Pennsylvania Real Estate classes.

PA licensees must be 18 years old.

RE agent house

Real Estate classes are offered in Erie, PA by Alan Kells School of Real Estate.

Fall Classes

Fundamentals class November 14, 15, 21, 22, 2015

Practice class December 12, 13, 19, 20, 2015

Cost $178

Time 9:00 -4:30

Location: 3036 W. 12th Street Erie, PA 16505 (building behind Animal Ark Pet Hospital-use east driveway)

Are You Ready to Begin Your Real Estate Career in Erie PA?

Register now 1-412-967-0249

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Comments(11)

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Noah Seidenberg

Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL

Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Your words ring true Mary, there are ups and downs in our business. I think I would pass on Jacobs friends, I admit I am scared.

Oct 25, 2015 11:59 AM

Mary Yonkers

Erie, PA

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Mary- good words about facing our fears but I will have to draw the line at snakes and tarantulas. When I was a Girl Scout, I saw 6 of them on one weekend camping trip. Another time I went to my husband's hunting camp and nearly stepped on a coral snake. Nope.. don't do snakes.

Oct 25, 2015 01:02 PM

Donna Foerster

HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO

Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Mary, sometimes you just have to jump in with both feet!

Oct 25, 2015 01:19 PM

Christine Gerbehy

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox and Roach Northfield - Egg Harbor Township, NJ

Making waves, one home at a time...

How great is that! Feel the fear and do it anyway!

Oct 25, 2015 04:34 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD
Mary Yonkers

Erie, PA

Gabe Sanders

Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL

Stuart Florida Real Estate

Hi Mary. Snakes and tarantulas are not for me either. So, if Jacob needs a part time job, send him down here and I could use him for the scary stuff.

Oct 25, 2015 09:37 PM

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist

KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA

Probate Real Estate Services

Love the analogy, Mary. What may not start out as fear for many slowly over time the rejection we receive may turn into fear. We must work through it or find a better way.

Oct 26, 2015 03:11 AM

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX

Selling Homes Changing Lives

WOW! Jacob is a very mature and sweet eight year old boy. He certainly exhibits all the signs of a future leader who isn't afraid to do the unexpected. You've really done an outstanding job teaching us all a lesson in Real Estate. Conquering fear is the first step to succeed in any goal in life.

Mary Yonkers I hope you get featured. You deserve it!!!

Oct 26, 2015 07:24 AM

Mary Yonkers

Thanks, Patricia Feager, MBA, GRI, Cert Negotiations Expert, Military Relo Prof This was fun day with Jacob. I try to do my part to supportive as a grandparent.

Oct 26, 2015 01:14 PM

Myrl Jeffcoat

Sacramento, CA

Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I can remember certain fears from my early days when I was first licensed in 1981. For example having clients in my car as we were viewing homes. We passed a F.S.B.O. along the way, and I could see Mr. Buyer really turning his head to take note of the address. I immediately mustered up all the courage I had, parked the car, walked up to the front door of that F.S.B.O. and rang the door. "Hi, I noticed your sign on the lawn. Can I inquire how many bedrooms and baths you have? What's your price? And, do you cooperate with real estate agents?" The answer was yes to cooperating. The price was in our range. I ended up selling that home that afternoon. Had I not had the courage, I wouldn't have.

I'm not nearly as fearful now. But, remember almost shaking that first time!

Oct 26, 2015 11:08 AM

Myrl Jeffcoat , me too! I can remember shaking as I knocked on doors. Fortunately we conquered our fears or we wouldn't be here today.

Oct 26, 2015 01:08 PM

Gita Bantwal

RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA

REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I enjoyed reading your post. Thank you for sharing.

Oct 26, 2015 10:36 PM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Jacob is enjoying his personal interests and may some day be director of the National Zoo.

Oct 26, 2015 11:40 PM

Ralph Gorgoglione

Metro Life Homes - Palm Springs, CA

California and Hawaii Real Estate (310) 497-9407

Fear of rejection is entirely unique fear. Once you fully understand that there is NOTHING to lose by looking for acceptance, then the sky's the limit.

Oct 26, 2015 11:51 PM

Can You Face Your Fears?

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