Lessons learned

This year for many has been a challenging year, but for many of us, a rewarding one. During this time of year, we are provided the opportunity to reflect, respond and rejuvenate to get us prepared for another year of opportunities in the real estate business.

Let’s look back at the year to see what we learned to make us so successful? First, we had learn how to keep up to date with all of the changes we were faced with in the market from financing to pricing properties properly whether working with buyers or sellers. Next, we had to learn how to work more effectively and efficiently with the right clients – educating them was the key. Additionally, we had to go to more networking events and find the right people at those events to network with to aid us in getting more business. Also, we had to work to expand our database to enable us to get more referrals. In addition, we had to improve our lines of communication with our sphere to show how we differentiate ourselves from other Realtors to gain their trust and their business.

In a nutshell, we had to go back to basics in all aspects of our business from educating ourselves and clients to improving customer satisfaction as well as revise our presentations. We had to ask for more referrals – but only after providing excellent service. We had to conduct more buyer interviews and go on more listing appointments in order to find the right clients. We had to learn how to work with short sales, banks and agents. One critical aspect of the business is to know that any market doesn’t last forever and we must treat people in the business with respect or you won’t have a respectable career. The “Golden Rule” is critical to remember when dealing with everyone involved in the transaction. Be an agent of integrity, professionalism, and responsiveness to forge relationships with everyone you encounter in the business and build a career that transcends markets and you will become a success!

There were many obstacles we had to navigate over and around in the areas of finance, pricing properties properly, determine trends and where the market was heading, and how to best handle consumer confidence. How has this helped? It has made us better sales people, more professional in the eyes of clients and has helped us develop better relationships and a stronger client base to propel us into the future. How will you respond to next year’s uncertainties?
Let’s look to the future, what challenges may affect our economy, our business and in the end, us? Here are a few areas that may affect the real estate business is 2009 that we need to consider: the continued bailout of our financial market, the auto industry and their potential bailout or not, consumer confidence as a result of the recession, and the proposed mortgage solutions to help stave off foreclosures. How will you handle these issues? Use these opportunities to develop niches?
Use the next few weeks to develop your plan of action to make the most of next year and what it will bring us in the real estate arena. Find ways to recharge your batteries such as spending time with your family or friends, donating time to charities, setting up accountability groups, networking groups, etc. Reinvent yourself for next year – it is going to be exciting! Get it? Got it? Good!