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Hard Lessons Learned From My Clients-A True Story

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Greenville Central

Early this year I had the awesome experience of working with two of the brightest and sweetest clients in my Real Estate history.  And I had the opportunity to sell them one of the most gorgeous homes in Greenville and the Upstate. But I also learned much from them that benefits all of you as well.

I'll make it brief as most of you, like myself, are high  I personalities which means you have the attention span of a flea and love the high pace , personal interaction and relationship of each transaction. Not the numbers so much. Thus was I when I met Georgianna and Dick.

She was a newly retired CEO of a major company in TX and Dick was the same. He was the interpersonal one, she the numbers and information specialist. During our home search Georgianna started asking for numbers. And I didn't have them and didn't know how to answer her questions. I was completely uninformed I'll admit it.  Georgianna made me realize how important knowing the details of my market are. I'd heard those figures preached in my team meetings, I just never internalized them: had never had to. This was before the downturn in the market so we were still turnin and burnin ..who needed facts and figures?

Then the market in Greenville took a slight downturn and buyers came from all over expecting a deal. And guess what. I pulled out the Georgianna and Dick lesson book. After all: the way successful people become successful is to model themselves after people who ARE successful. So I got my stuff together, got my figures together (and let me tell you it's a continuing painful process as figures don't' come easily for me) But I know them.

I turned 40 this year and realized I don't want to be selling Real Estate in 15 years! I want to be a Georgianna and Dick: retired early, extremely successful, with a great family that now they have  time for, and the lessons of life learned from following a model of success. I hope to stay in touch with them for the rest of my career and  thank Georgianna and Dick for teaching this REALTOR a life long lesson!

Comments (16)

Kathy Knight
Intracoastal Realty Corp - Wilmington, NC
BROKER, ABR, CRS, GRI, SFR, SRES

It was an honest lesson that you learned. You better know your market. Lots of agents don't so next time you will be way ahead of them and the old you. Good luck !!

Nov 30, 2008 12:38 PM
John Walters
Frank Rubi Real Estate - Slidell, LA
Licensed in Louisiana

The first time I did an open house I was so unprepared.  I left my papers at home.  I forgot everything I needed.  Taught me a lesson real fast.

Nov 30, 2008 12:45 PM
Kaleb Kunz
Logan, UT

I'm seeing that it's more and more important in this market to know your area's stats, number, trends and more.....people ask more and more.

Nov 30, 2008 12:55 PM
Valerie Springer
Benchmark Mortgage nmls 2143 - Birmingham, AL
Home Loan Officer AL, FHA, VA, Conventional and Re

Everything happens for a reason and you will never make that mistake again!  Since numbers don't come easy it is better to stay on top of the market and not have to start over from scratch from time to time.  Now you are well informed and tearing it up!

Nov 30, 2008 01:02 PM
Vickie Nagy
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - Palm Springs, CA
Vickie Jean the Palm Springs Condo Queen

It's true that customers have different personalities and unique perspectives, but it seems that the need to know those pesky numbers crops up again and again.

Nov 30, 2008 01:16 PM
Toni M. Rose
Prudential C. Dan Joyner Realtors - Easley, SC
Easley SC Real Estate

I believe you will be where you want to be in 15 years with your great attitude!

Nov 30, 2008 01:17 PM
Chuck Carstensen
RE/MAX Results - Elk River, MN
Minnesota/Wisconsin Real Estate Expert

Good story.  Its important to know what buyers and sellers want and to be able to be humble and adjust if needed.

Nov 30, 2008 01:26 PM
Connie Wilhelm Zulu
Peak Realty Ltd., Brokerage - Saint Marys, ON

Great goal I would love to be done working then too.  Here is hoping we have a well thought out business plan with great marketing for 2009.  all the best

Nov 30, 2008 01:28 PM
Rich Mielke
REMAX Results, Frederick MD - Frederick, MD
REALTOR, Frederick Maryland Real Estate

I am a numbers guy, but even I have run into clients that ran circles around me with their questions.

Nov 30, 2008 01:33 PM
Linda Pitts
Merck Team Realty, Inc - Brandon, MS

Great information!  Thank you for sharing.  I want to be selling real estate in 15 years........lots of real estate.  I'm optimistic!

Nov 30, 2008 01:44 PM
Sandy Gleason
North Pointe Realty - Buhl, ID
Realtor for Southern Idaho-Magic Valley

I have been working on this also, we have so many different area that we work that it is a challenge

but getting better at it. I do believe it sets us apart if we can answer questions quickly and

accurately.

Nov 30, 2008 01:53 PM
Daniel J. Brudnok, REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach, REALTORS - Exton - PA License #RS-225179-L / Delaware License #RS-0025038 - Downingtown, PA
SRES, e-PRO,ABR,GREEN,CSP

Holly,

Good for you for taking the necessary steps to improve.....and this lesson will never go out of fad.

Dec 01, 2008 01:48 AM
Tanya Venable
Orlando, FL
SEO, Mobile SEO, and Internet Marketing Consultant

Holly, It's great that you learned something that will help you reach your goals. Best wishes!

Dec 01, 2008 02:15 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

After you gather all your stats then you need to keep them current, in this ever changing market - things change quickly.

Dec 01, 2008 03:53 AM
Mark Brian
Silver Star Real Estate LLC - Anderson, SC
Anderson SC Realtor

Constantly checking market stats, current mortgage rate, average seasonal temps, average income for a neighborhood--you name it, the potential buyers want to know it and expect us to know it. Knowing all the details of our markets is a challenge because of the constantly changing market we are all proud to be serving.

Dec 04, 2008 01:33 AM
Jim Fischetti
The Fischetti Group/Keller Williams - Wake Forest, NC

Holly,

 

Great post... and good luck!

 

Jim

Dec 09, 2008 02:32 AM