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🏀 Real Estate Lessons from March Madness 🏀

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Beam & Branch Realty TREC #547752

I am one of those college basketball fanatics. I love this time of year as I select my teams for my brackets, watch the games unfold, and anticipate the final four teams. The excitement of the upsets and watching that Cinderella team emerge is always exciting.

There are some lessons from March Madness those of us in real estate can relate:

🏀 PLAY HARD - There is no doubt these athletes play their hearts out all season long in order to make it into the coveted, March Madness tournament. As a real estate agent, we also have to learn to play hard all season long. When you hustle, train, sweat, and, push through the tough times, your business will experience the wins.

🏀 WORKING THROUGH PAIN - Athletes often find themselves working through injuries, sore muscles, and fatigue. When athletes work through their pain, they are giving their all to their team and their fans. I know I have worked through many types of "pain" in real estate. The ache of losing a deal, the pain of pulling for your clients when that deal falls through, and, getting out there even when you are flat-out exhausted.

🏀 TRAINING - Without proper training, athletes and teams fizzle out. To be the best, you must be willing to put in the time and the training. Real estate is no different. How many of you know those agents who jump into this business thinking they can simply float in, work as little as possible, and reap the benefits? This rarely happens. Successful agents understand they must stay on top of their game by keeping up with the constant changes, attend trainings, and continuously learn new skills.

🏀 LEARN HOW TO WIN & LOSE - When coaches teach their teams how to win gracefully and to lose with class, this makes a huge difference. These are character-building lessons. Real estate for many has become a parade of awards, a constant fight for being, #1, and a slanted focus on status. While success is not a bad thing, how one handles their success and their losses will determine the respect they will earn in this business.

🏀 NEVER FORGET THE BASICS - The teams in basketball who have founded their program on skill building are usually very successful year after year. These foundational basic skills will help an athlete succeed much more than the athlete who is highly skilled but is lazy in working on the basics. Real estate agents who don't get sucked into the latest and greatest shiny new gadget or snazzy technology program and stick to the basics of customer service, excellence in market knowledge, and, a focus on meeting their client's needs over their own will certainly succeed.

How is your real estate March Madness going? Do you need to take a step back and remember why you got into this business or are you staying in the game with hard work and training? When you stay focused on the basics of this business, it will be easy to find yourself winning those everyday trophies such as happy clients!

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Comments(20)

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Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Well done, Paula. I have four brackets going and have not looked at them today. Love how you tied in March Madness with real estate. One more thing I'd add is Teamwork. Agents, even on their own, have their team of lenders, inspectors, etc they work with. Together, they make a strong force that can't be beaten. 

Mar 21, 2025 05:06 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Oh yes, Kathy, that is a good point. It truly does take a team in this business.

Mar 21, 2025 05:24 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Paula,

I love how you tied in March Madness with real estate, great points making your tie in. Well done!!

Mar 21, 2025 06:23 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Thank you, Dorie. I am enjoying the games and love that the final four games are in San Antonio!

Mar 21, 2025 07:17 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Excellent analogy Dr. Paula McDonald . I'm not a big basketball fan but this works with any team sport.

Mar 21, 2025 06:59 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Thank you, Bob. And ye, this analogy could be used with lots of different sports.

Mar 21, 2025 07:17 PM
Mike McCann Broker - Mach1 Realty
Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Broker-Auctioneer Serving Nebraska - Kearney, NE
ALL Types of Property For Sale 308-627-3700

Well... Dr. Paula McDonald   What a fun and powerful analogy!  I really enjoyed it!  Have a great weekend!

Mar 21, 2025 07:11 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Thank you, Mike and I should have said, "Go Michigan State Spartans"!

Mar 21, 2025 07:18 PM
Kris Collis, Associate Broker
Smart Way America Realty - East Stroudsburg, PA
Professional Results you Expect 570-801-5525

Paula, a great apology to real estate from the sports world. Real estate offers lessons to be learned from many spheres of influence where we can be challenged

Mar 21, 2025 07:40 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Thank you, Chris. I have found being an athlete in my younger days has provided me so many amazing analogies.

Mar 21, 2025 07:58 PM
Paddy Deighan MBA JD PhD
http://www.medicalandspaconsulting.com - Vail, CO
Paddy Deighan J.D. Ph.D

thoroughly enjoyed the post..great headline!!!!!!

Mar 21, 2025 08:01 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Well, thank you, Paddy. Go Michigan State! Go Green - Go White.

Mar 21, 2025 09:27 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Learning to win and lose is  the biggest metaphor for life that there could ever be. I’m just being OK with not getting your ideal outcome. Really makes life a little bit easier.

Mar 21, 2025 10:17 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

That is a good outlook to keep things real, Laura. Learning how to navigate both a loss and a win is essential.

Mar 22, 2025 06:52 AM
Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI
HomeSmart Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell

It is the best Tournament out there Paula. I think the NFL is doing better with their increased teams and college football going to more teams as well. Increases the excitement. Go Wildcats (Arizona). Jeff

Mar 21, 2025 11:27 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

I agree with you, Jeff. I prefer college sports over the pros for many reasons but, not sure I like the portal thing.

Mar 22, 2025 06:53 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Paula - I am aware of brackets but wouldn't have a clue in choosing them, installing them or playing with them.  Next move.  April Fools will soon be here.  

Mar 22, 2025 04:25 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Hey Michael. I have fun filling out those brackets and every year having many brackets bust when a Cinderella team pops up. Makes it fun though.

Mar 22, 2025 06:54 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Paula... a fantastic analogy. Gave me a whole new perspective on March Madness, which admittedly I do not follow or care about. :)

Mar 22, 2025 05:20 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Yes, Nina. March Madness is not for everyone. I grew up playing and watching basketball so I find it very entertaining.

Mar 22, 2025 06:55 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Those are great lessons!  I learned most of my management skills from coaching basketball, haha.

Mar 22, 2025 05:57 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Coaching for sure is a great way to learn many lessons. Did you coach school age kids?

Mar 22, 2025 06:55 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 / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Paula,

March Madness and real estate really do have more in common than you’d think at first glance. 🏀 The grit, the heart, the unexpected twists, and the drive to keep going, even when you're tired and things aren't going your way. It’s all part of the game, whether you're on the court, in the field, or working a real estate transaction.

In a business where competition can be fierce, and ego can sometimes take center stage, it’s important to remember that true success is often found in the way we treat others, not just in our closed transactions.

Now if only we could predict the real estate market like a Cinderella story movie.

Go Zags.

 

Mar 22, 2025 08:52 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

In my view, real estate is like a solo sport, similar to tennis or marathons. While teamwork plays a role, agents typically select partners like escrow officers, TC and inspectors. To succeed, a real estate agent must rely on their own skill set and leadership abilities.

Mar 22, 2025 09:14 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Dr. Paula and this is a great blog that deserve to be feature.  I am a big fan of coaching and what it takes to make it into March Madness

Mar 22, 2025 11:41 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

 

Hello Dr. Paula McDonald -  I am most definitely doing all of the above. March has turned out to be a busy month for me. I continue to work hard, train, and focus on my business. Life and business is good. 

Mar 22, 2025 12:47 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks, Dr. Paula McDonald, for sharing these game-winning insights! Your connection between March Madness and real estate is spot-on—it's all about heart, hustle, and perseverance. I appreciate your encouragement to keep eyes on the basics; it’s a great reminder for all of us in the game!

Mar 22, 2025 01:11 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Dr. Paula McDonald

Glad to see this well-deserved featured post comparing the ongoing March Madness with Real Estate.

Mar 23, 2025 06:45 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Perfect match up Paula!  March Madness and Real Estate!  I never thought of this way but it goes hand in hand - no pun intended!  I'm on a different March Madness and my strength and mind training is coming in handy and I've got several hoops to cover yet.

Mar 23, 2025 12:27 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Featured in BananaTudes!  Go Tudes!

 

 

 

Mar 23, 2025 12:28 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Paula. Nice tie in to March madness. The big message is to practice hard. That is where success is developed. Enjoy your day.

Mar 25, 2025 04:20 AM