"On Being Awesome": The Agent Centric Model

By
Real Estate Agent with Fathom Realty West Sound WA State 52404

I've been a licensed broker since 1998. As such, I've observed a lot of market trends and various marketing models employed to respond to those changing trends.

Back when I started real estate in Lawrence KS, glamour shots were all the rage! The larger and more elaborate one's coiffure, the better! What you drove had more bearing on your success than the actual services you offered.

Back then, there was a very flashy and flamboyant agent who advertised at the local movie theater. For 5 minutes you had no choice but to remain in your seat, clinging tightly to your popcorn and bon-bons, and endure the onslaught of Vogue-esque poses.

For many years now, I have been hopeful that the Agent-Centric obsession of our industry would finally reach its well-deserved demise. We caught momentary glimpses of hope when our collective attentions  were swayed towards emerging technology, and even the occasional, temporal focus on clients (what a concept!)

Unfortunately, it seems that we can never fully depart from our consuming preoccupation of making everything all about us!

Social media is the largest dumping ground where we proclaim to the World just how awesome and amazing we are! In the past several years especially, the incessant droning of "Look at Me!" has been non-stop.

"Sold in One Day, and way above asking!" the Facebook post boldly announces!

Never mind the fact that most houses have been flying off the shelf, with multiple offers, well above listing price, for several years now. But obviously, consumers aren't aware of this phenomena!

When was the last time you saw a Doctor post a picture on Instagram of his most recent surgery?

"Performed My 200th appendectomy today! Get a load at that perfect suture!"

Or an Attorney boasting on LinkedIn,

"Just got my client a HUGE settlement today in a nasty paternity suit!"

Just imagine the significant positive shift we would experience in our industry if we all collectively focused more on better understanding and serving the needs of consumers?

The REALTOR® Pledge

I Pledge Myself...

                          To strive to be honorable and to abide by the Golden Rule;

 To strive to serve well my community, and through it, my country;

 To abide by the REALTORS'® Code of Ethics and to strive to conform my conduct to its aspirational ideals;

 To act honestly in all real estate dealings;

 To protect the individual right of real estate ownership and to widen the opportunity to enjoy it;

To seek better to represent my clients by building my knowledge and competence.

 

 

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Rich Jacobson is a REALTOR® and licensed Broker with Fathom Realty. He's a Crab Hunter, Clam Digger, and Oyster Shucker, skilffuly vanquishing anything in a shell! He is the Social Media Evangelist for Life on the Kitsap Peninsula & The Western Puget Sound in scenic WA State.

Comments (20)

Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Ironically, the way to be awesome starts with humility and not noting how awesome you are.

Dec 05, 2021 07:03 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Nicely said my friend. From one bubblehead to another; thank you Rich...

Dec 05, 2021 09:43 PM
Rich Jacobson

Fellow Bubblehead and Fellow Fathom Broker!!!

Dec 06, 2021 09:22 AM
Kat Palmiotti
406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR® - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

You're right about the doctor and attorney - you'd never hear those boasts, but we often do hear them from real estate professionals. It's all about the clients, not about us.

Dec 06, 2021 05:03 AM
Rich Jacobson

Hey, Kat! So nice to see your smiling face pop-up here! It truly is not about us, but about representing our clients best interests, period!


 

Dec 06, 2021 09:23 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Hello Rich - a life in real estate can show a lot especially when you take a look at what is often a "passing fancy" even when it lasts a bit longer.  

Dec 06, 2021 05:48 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Rich Jacobson,

Congratulations on the featured post..well said. You don't hear doctors touting how many lives they saved..our industry is all about me! It should be all about the client!

Dec 06, 2021 06:52 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Rich Jacobson  I have missed you. My thoughts exactly . So nice to see you . 

Dec 06, 2021 07:32 AM
Rich Jacobson

So good to see you as well, Hannah! I'm going to make an effort to be more involved here....thanks for your kind comment!

Dec 06, 2021 09:25 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Property Manager

I never understood the agent ego thing. It's all about what you can do for the client. WIIFM.

Dec 06, 2021 08:04 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Rich Jacobson 
Part of my retirement plan is being active in the Rain. I met 24 Rainers on my recent 2 month trip around the U.S. It was awesome.  😊

Dec 06, 2021 09:42 AM
Rich Jacobson

Hiya Carol! Thanks for coming out of retirement to comment on my post! Hope you're doing well!

Dec 06, 2021 09:25 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Thanks to the Rain gods for bestowing the ever illusive Golden Star!

Dec 06, 2021 09:30 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

I so appreciate this post.  My posts are more about energy efficiency than myself!

Dec 06, 2021 01:27 PM
Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Broker
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Amen Rich!  Your creed is how many of us rainers lead our business.

 

To strive to be honorable and to abide by the Golden Rule;

 To strive to serve well my community, and through it, my country;

 To abide by the REALTORS'® Code of Ethics and to strive to conform my conduct to its aspirational ideals;

 To act honestly in all real estate dealings;

 To protect the individual right of real estate ownership and to widen the opportunity to enjoy it;

To seek better to represent my clients by building my knowledge and competence.

Dec 06, 2021 08:27 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Rich:

Well said, my friend. And so nice to see you hear talking about such an important topic in such a thoughtful way. Love the Realtor Pledge!

Jeff

Dec 06, 2021 10:06 PM
Steffy Hristova
HomeSmart Elite Group Tempe AZ Tel: 602.710.8161 - Tempe, AZ
Tempe AZ Realtor - Your Home Close to Your Work!

Hi Rich, What a great post. I loved the comparison with other professionals and how they talk or not talk about their professional achievements. And the quote from the REALTORS'® Code of Ethics. 

Dec 07, 2021 04:53 AM
Robert Rauf
CMG Home Loans - Toms River, NJ

But.... What if I am Awesome?? :)  I agree as- be humble, work for your client and do the right thing and they will scream how awesome we are.

Dec 07, 2021 07:43 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The right Charlotte REALTOR!

OMG, I love you...but, you knew that already!! 

I completely agree and even better than that, it's SO good to see you here, Rich. We have missed you terribly! 

Dec 07, 2021 10:41 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

I SO agree with this post. Thank you for writing this much-needed post.

Dec 07, 2021 12:02 PM
Adam Feinberg
Elegran - Manhattan, NY
NYC Condo, Co-op, and Townhouse Advisor

My firm is taking a very agent centric approach...though it is very different than the agent centric model you discuss- and I agree with you on your points. What my firm is doing is building out the back end support for agents to succeed - higher quality and more training, better (and smarter) marketing support, building out new relationships with future lead generation potential, working with developers and bankers to add value for new development, etc. It's all agent centric...without the flashy and/or flambouyant behaviors. 

Dec 07, 2021 02:22 PM
Peter Mohylsky 850-517-7098
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

I like the way you think.  I agree.  awesome is overused

 

Dec 08, 2021 03:51 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Rich= very well done!!!  I've never been a fan of the "look at how great I am" type of marketing. My response as a consumer is so what!  Show me what you can and will do for me! If you do, then your clients will toot your horn for you. 

Dec 08, 2021 05:29 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Down to Earth, low key and hard working in the local community. Not pointing out look, theres a real estate peacock all puffed up and strutting. That's the key to success... year after year solid results, making a difference without calling attention to yourself Rich Jacobson ! Jealous agents who are not getting the market share they want are often the ones that speak ill of others in their market place, their own profession. The public picks up the perception we share of others in our industry.

Dec 09, 2021 06:12 AM
Anne Corbin
Long and Foster - Lake Anna - Spotsylvania, VA
Serving Lake Anna & Central Virginia

I hear you! We have a local agent who constantly brags on her accomplishments and regularly posts all her sales with addresses and status. It seems to work for her. I'm not that type of agent, I guess.

Dec 10, 2021 06:30 AM