Communication and problem solving is the key
I am beginning to believe strongly in the saying "The more things change, the more things stay the same". This is certainly true when it comes to good old fashioned communication and knowledge. A few years ago a local farmer called me and asked if I would be his Idaho Realtor. He informed me that he was unhappy with his current Realtor and that I came highly recommended. After a discussion with my broker (the "other Realtor" was an agent in my office!) I decided to work with this farmer.
Three months into my listing contract with this farmer he calls me one day out of the blue to thank me for always returning his calls and for calling him on occasion just to see how he and his family are doing. At first I thought this was a joke. After all, doesn't every Realtor return calls and call their clients to see how they are doing? My client explained to me that he had worked with several Realtors in the past and I was the first to return his calls promptly and the first to call him regularly to see how his family is doing.
This farmer not only listed many farms with me but went on to refer me in excess of 10 million dollars worth of real estate business and continues to do so. Just two weeks ago I had another seller that had worked with many Realtors in the past tell me he was listing his home with me for the very same reason. He said he liked the way I communicated with him and he also had never seen this before.
About two months ago I took my favorite sunglasses into the local Walmart store because one of the screws would not tighten. After working on them for about fifteen minutes the lady assisting from the optical department came back and told me the screw was stripped and nothing could be done. I was really bumped because these sunglasses were my favorite. I didn't get rid of the sunglasses. I continued to wear them but they began to fit worse and worse.
Today I went back into Walmart to the very same optical department and a different lady helped me. I simply told here that one of the screws would not tighten properly. She told me to give her some time and come back. I finished my shopping and came back. To my pleasant surprise this wonderful lady had replaced the screw and the new screw worked fine. She also tightened the other screws and cleaned my glasses for me. My sunglasses now work beautifully!
Here were the very same pair of sunglasses and one lady could not or would not find a solution. Another lady accepted the challenge with a smile on her face and fixed my favorite sunglasses.
I am finding today that many Realtors that entered the real estate business the past few years entered real estate for the wrong reasons and are now leaving the business in near record numbers. The majority of the Realtors that remain are hanging on by a thin thread. What many of these Realtors don't do is 1) Communicate correclty with their clients and 2) Find creative solutions for their clients real estate needs. If it isn't an easy transaction they simply give up.
I have already explained how easy communication is. It is not rocket science and is what each and every one of you want. Even though I have been in real estate for over 28 years I am adamant about education and take numerous real estate classes annually. I have already this year alone taken four valuable classes that have clearly helped me with new knowledge to deal with the current real estate market.
I was raised on a row-crop farm here in Southest Idaho where challenges were very common. We always had to find a sulution on the farm and never were allowed to give up. "Thank you Dad". I love challenges and love to find solutions for those challenges. I can guarantee you communication and I guarantee you that if there is a solution for your problem I will consider it a challenge and will not give up until I have found a solution for you. This is why business is good for me in a year where success in real estate is very rare.
I thank all my customers and clients for making this a great year for me and I am anxious to prove to you that I consider your business a privilege and an honor.
Your Idaho Realt Estate Professional