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Your WORD Is Your Value!

By
Real Estate Agent with Dirt Road Real Estate SA676002000

Years ago some may remember a word accompanied by a handshake was all that was needed to sign small to million dollar contracts or just to personal agreements. Back then:

Your WORD Was Your Bond!

In today’s marketplace more consultants and websites are offering sales advice. The focus has turned to value be you a professional real estate agent or a salesperson in another industry. Today contrary to all the advice:

Your WORD Is Your Value!

Funny thing about sales, many sales folk including real estate agents overlook this simple concept of WORD when discussing value creation.  Much of the focus, as I just read in another of the plethora of articles on this subject of value creation, is on marketing, negotiations, competency, etc. However, at the end of the day your value, your worth, as a professional real estate agent is your WORD!

Do what you say you will do!

After surviving and thriving is sales for over 5 decades I realize and accept these four axioms:

#1: Sales is fairly simple though not necessarily easy.

Someone wants to buy something, that is the simple part. Completing the sales transaction is the not so easy part.

#2: "Sales is the transference of feelings." (Zig Ziglar)

People buy first on emotion and justified by logic such as “I love the color of that vehicle” or “The house (vacant land) speaks to me.” These are feelings. 

#3: People buy from people they know and trust

Buyers need to know the professional real estate agent to any other salesperson and from that initial meeting trust begins to form.

#4: "Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care." (President Teddy Roosevelt)

Spewing your real estate sales pitch, your 30 second elevator speech, your bio, your firm is about you and not about the potential client. This axiom complements the first three axioms.

All of these four axioms revolve around your WORD, doing what you say you will do, being forthright in your interactions.

When you give your WORD, followed by the actions associated with your WORD value is created.  For me, many of my clients are surprised when I answer the phone on a Sunday afternoon or in the early weekday evening and then follow up the next day.  

To do what you say you will do is 100%

how you create value. 

Yes, sometimes we all get busy and drop the ball. This is when we acknowledge our failure and apologize. For me, I have always received a positive reaction when I have apologized because again that is my WORD.

So if you want to create value that is long lasting remember:

Your WORD Is Your Value!

#LetsGetBackToRealConversations #WeDoThingsDifferently

Leanne M Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent Who Goes the Extra Mile Because Life Begins Where the Pavement Ends.

Feature Photo Courtesy of Pixabay.com

Any reproduction of Leanne M Smith’s blog for use by any AI or GAI, distribution or reproduction including but not limited to electronic newsletters e.g. PDF’s Internet sites or physical products e.g. newspapers, CDs without prior written permission and consent by me, Leanne M. Smith (Leanne Hoagland-Smith) is strictly prohibited.

Posted by

Leanne M. Smith, MS, GRI, rCRMS

2018 KGVAR Rookie Realtor of the Year-55+
219.508.2859 MST
Life Begins Where the Pavement Ends
Connect with me on LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/leannehoaglandsmith

Comments(10)

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Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Absolutley true Leanne!  My father said often - your handshake is an agreement.  Always do what you say you're going to do.  Trust is how I build my base of awesome clients and to this day they still trust me to always tell them the truth and point them in a good direction if needed.  Great post!

 

And we were just talking about this very subject last night with friends over dinner!

Jun 04, 2025 10:41 AM
Leanne Smith

Sometimes my posts are quite timely.  Thank you for the confirmation.  For me, this is what is means to be old school. Good afternoon and hope your dinner last night was enjoyable. 

Jun 04, 2025 02:20 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

For sure old school.  That's part of what we were talking about last night.  Young folks simply aren't learning to take responsibility and they're not taught life  skill sets like we were as young people.

Jun 04, 2025 02:37 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Leanne,

You are spot on..your word is your bond! People want to work with people they trust and know they are going to follow through on what they say they are going to do. No ghosting..like many do now.

Jun 04, 2025 11:10 AM
Leanne Smith

So true and herein lies the golden key to increase sales. Do what you say you will do; fess up if you fail to do what you say you will do. 

Jun 04, 2025 02:19 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Leanne - sense as well as dollars and cents seem to combine in many aspects of everyday life.  So, in essence, real estate fits the bill. Well, so to speak.   

Jun 05, 2025 02:50 AM
Leanne Smith

Yes real estate does fit that bill.  Thank you and good afternoon. 

Jun 05, 2025 04:54 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

If I cannot trust in someone's word, then it definitely isn't someone that I want to have in my life, haha.

Jun 05, 2025 05:23 AM
Leanne Smith

We are both on that same page Brian England Thank you and take care.

Jun 05, 2025 04:53 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks so much for sharing this insightful post, Leanne Smith. I really appreciate how you highlight the power of a simple word and staying true to it. It's such a timeless lesson in building trust and lasting relationships. Grateful for your wisdom and for shining a light on what truly creates value in our profession! 😊

Jun 05, 2025 01:36 PM
Leanne Smith

Thank you Lou and appreciate your detailed comment. Enjoy the forthcoming weekend. 

Jun 05, 2025 04:53 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I think you've been talking to my husband, Leanne! He preached that to our boys nearly every day of their lives and it's one of THE best lessons in life too. Being trusted is an honor but, that can quickly be lost with a broken word.

Great post, Leanne! 

Jun 05, 2025 03:34 PM
Leanne Smith

Always good to read your proactive and positive comments. My sense your husband and you have been raised "old school" where your word is your bond. 

Jun 05, 2025 04:52 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

I so appreciate your post.  I was definitely raised that way in Kansas.  Do what you say you're going to do and it will be appreciated by everyone in any business.  Love your Zig Ziglar quote!

Jun 05, 2025 03:39 PM
Leanne Smith

Many who are somewhat older have been raised with the ethos - your word is your bond. The Zig quote is one I have used now for over 20 years. 

Jun 05, 2025 04:51 PM
Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

Our reputation is so bad in the press.  I have worked my entire career to keep my honor and word as gold above what my competition is doing.  The fast buck is a quick end to this job.  

Jun 06, 2025 06:18 AM
Leanne Smith

Gwen so true and what baffles me is REALTORS sign a Code of Ethics and I see it violated on a daily basis. Then there are brokerages who promote the attitude of the "fast buck" and one knows this to be true when working with new and sometimes seasoned agents. 

Jun 06, 2025 07:45 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

Have said that more than once, Leanne and I do live it. More people should!

Jun 06, 2025 11:59 AM
Leanne Smith

I am not surprised you live by those words. Also in agreement with you that more people should. Thank you and good morning. 

Jun 08, 2025 08:15 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Oh yes indeed. "Your word is your bond" is something said in my house when growing up. And it's who I am - if I say I'm going to do it, I will.

Jun 07, 2025 05:47 AM
Leanne Smith

From my experience those who live by "Your word is your bond." were taught that by their parents who were taught by their parents. Thank you and good morning Kat

Jun 08, 2025 08:16 AM
Kat Palmiotti

Good morning!

Jun 08, 2025 10:08 AM