Good morning, Ron and Alexandra Seigel (A).... more often than not, an agent will miss a wonderful opportunity because of that insecure feeling.... undervaluing their worth is common place with agents.... in the luxury home market, often we find the same agent listing the majority of those homes.... that's because of the factor of agents having that feeling of not being able to compete with the agent who is "running with all of it".... 

Simply answering my phone has gotten me a lot of business over the years.  Prospects would tell me that they had called 10 agents before me and none of them answered the phone, haha.  Now when the phone rings and I am unable to answer, I wonder if I missed out on a sale, haha.

Great advice Ron & Alexandra!

Sometimes the reason that you do not take on the incumbent in a particular market niche is because you undervalue yourself.  Give yourself more credit. 

Hello Alexandra and Ron - the importance of knowing, understanding and mastering the basics is a big part of seeing, knowing and recognizing opportunity.

On a different note, it is interesting to me while reading your post how we use body parts as part of our ways to communicate.  To me, they seem to extend beyond the sensory - hmmm.  Now, is that a thought.  Actually, I wonder if it is more than a thought...   Hmm...   

Good morning Ron and Alexandra Seigel - that is a major issue, the feeling of confidence and self worth.  Others can see that in your brand.

Good morning Alexandra. A wake up call for all to pay attention. Enjoy your day/

Fantastic points. Especially that we may not take on an incumbent because we undervalue ourselves. If we know we could do it better, than we should do it!

Good morning, Alexandra... I was just talking about this issue of complacency the other day with someone. It seems every time a market heats up, agents become complacent and they don't provide 5-star service because they can get away with not doing so. 

Thanks for the encouragement to not undervalue ourselves and to look right where we are for opportunities. Yes, answering a phone is a big one.

How amazing is it that people in business do not get that returning a phone call is a NEEDED requirement for a QUALITY business.

This is excellent advice to share.

The niche I found helped to fund my retirement.

I enjoy looking under my nose for new business Ron and Alexandra Seigel 

Hi Ron and Alexandra- excellent words of advice. I can remember reading about one member here who started her "farm" area in a community that was already dominated by one agent. But through perseverance and offering the basics of good business practices, that member grabbed a foothold in the community. 

Alexandra-Even  though I am not a realtor I have learned over the years that not all realtors are created equal and often wonder how some of them stay in business. Active Rain has certainly opened my eyes to what a great realtor is.  

Hello Ron and A, always love seeing your blogs and your knowledge on lots of subjects.

Morning Alexandra.

Exactly, I see it all the time, agents undervaluing their talents.  Sometimes the light bulb goes off, sometimes not.

It's easy to undervalue ourselves, it seems. Is that our false sense of humility, or a lack of confidence? Regardless, we need to really own our niche if we plan to be the voice for it. 

Excellent message:
Never underestimate opportunities right in front of you!

You hit many nails on the head with this one. Yes, many miss opportunities because they are not looking.

Ron and Alexandra:

Isn't it interesting, but not surprising, that the basics of good service - being on time, listening, answering the phone, doing what you say you will, follow-through, etc. - almost always come out ahead of complacency and will create opportunities.

Jeff

Great advice.  

Have a Happy Day!

Hi Alexandra! I agree that being on time, answering the phone, doing what you say you will and actually LISTENING are those habits that make agents rise above the bar. Complacency seems to be the 'norm' in a hot market and that is the exact time that you really need to shine. Those relationships forged by being who you say you are, create more relationships/business for us during the slow times. 

I can't tell you how many calls I've gotten that a surprised potential customer/client on the other line respond, "Oh! I wasn't expecting you to answer your phone! THANK YOU!" It really takes me by surprise because in my mind, THAT is the norm!