With all the emphasis on technology including automated systems, my sense is the human connection is appearing to be ignored and eventually lost. This is why I believe being old school is a competitive advantage and fits me to a T.
This past weekend I drove 40 miles to meet a potential customer. Here in Mohave County, AZ driving 40 miles is nothing. I suggested scheduling a breakfast appointment at a restaurant near him in Bullhead City, AZ. Initially, we did talk on the phone and then via email and text. This particular buyer came from a local referral source.
When we sat down, I thanked him for accepting this face-to-face meeting and shared “that I am old school, I like to meet people face to face.” This individual agreed and said "not too many real estate agents out here make breakfast or lunch meetings. These agents want you to come to their office.” He thanked me and then we reviewed the buying presentation. Of course, since I invited him, I paid for breakfast. Again, this is old school behavior.
Now in full disclosure, Dirt Road Real Estate does not have a brick and mortar office. For me, this has been an advantage that allows me to often be much closer physically to the properties I list or sell. With Mohave County being the fifth largest land mass county in the US continental states, it makes sense to work from a home office.
This potential buyer along with his wife and I will be meeting this forthcoming week at a vacant land property that I have listed. He wants to make sure he walked the correct property.
Several years ago a younger real estate agent made the remark to me “you are old school.” The remark was not said in a positive way as being old school was a negative in her perspective. I have heard other remarks some negative and some positive about my customized small 3 ring, tabbed binder (5x7) that I carry from which I make notes. Out here some of the areas have limited technological access. Also, I can quickly write down something faster than making a note on a phone, tablet or laptop.
Since the beginning of January of this year, I have earned 54 new sales leads for vacant land either as sellers and as buyers. Of these I have converted 7 into listings (not dual representation) and 4 into buyers with 2 of those conversions 4 being my listings. I also converted 3 leads from 2025 into clients. This information was found in less than one minute.
My sense is many salespeople and especially those in real estate fail to understand people buy from people they know and trust. Building authentic relationships with clients, other real estate agents, local vendors, etc. is absolutely necessity for any small business owner to grow his or her practice.
Today I am driving 90 miles to Henderson NV to meet with a new vacant land listing client who also came as a referral. As this client is a caregiver for her husband, I recognized that sitting with her in person to complete the required AZ disclosure form would be the best solution instead of trying to explain everything over the phone. Also, I will have the opportunity to meet her and her husband. Again, this is old school in that recognizing the client’s needs are paramount to one’s own needs.
Yes being old school fits me to a T.
P.S. Please consider checking out my Facebook business page, The Grit and Gratitude Agent that will focus on the Dirt Roads in Mohave County as well local real estate, lots of dirt or vacant land parcels as some of the local attractions.
#LetsGetBackToRealConversations #WeDoThingsDifferently #BuyerEducation #RealEstateGuidance #LandOfferPocess #ArizonaRealEstate #TheHelpfulAgent #GoldenValleyAZHomesAndLand #KingmanHomesAndLand
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
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