I have been in this business for 6 years. To date, I learn something new in every transaction. I try to do better the next time. Over the years, I could say I learnt these 3 important lessons. For the new rookies out there, the faster you learn these lessons, the sooner you will be at peace with yourself.
Some friends and family just won't do business with friends. So, get over it. It's a personal choice. Even though you may feel that you are the best agent in town, or you would bend over backwards to help a friend or family sell or buy a home, different people place different values and priorities in the decision-making. So be it.
If only real estate signs sell houses, then there would be more of "us" Realtors succeeding in this business. I recently lost a listing to a long-term lead that I have continued to share my market knowledge with. It is probably about 2 years since we first spoke. The reason I lost was because I was a "one-woman shop" when compared to the other agent who is in a real estate office with 400 other agents. Hmmmm.... I was silenced by the answer and didn't really want to sway the decision since it was already made. Thus far, I've sold every home I listed in around 30-45 days despite what the market said because I really study how to sell homes. No 400 other agents in my area help me do it. Thus far, being the sole Realtor in my company has never stopped any of my Sellers from moving on. My guess is that out of 400 agents, if the office was lucky, there was 80 active producing agents. My guess is probably 20 at most. Oh well, it's their choice not mine.
It is my personal and business choice to be a 3:16 team REALTY - a small, independent local real estate brokerage and if I continue to lose business because I am not a Re/Max, Keller Williams, Century 21, so be it. I bet this would not be the last.
I drive my schedule. No one else does. In January 2009, I decided that I do NOT work Sundays. I decided that it is the only family time I will have with my husband and son uninterrupted. Initially, I was somewhat uncomfortable for the fear of losing clients. But when I mention to my clients that I don't work Sundays, their response, "Good for you". Wow. That's empowering. I've just been fearing of something that didn't happen. On top of not working Sundays, I no longer work with clients/ callers that want to see homes immediately or within a few hours. I have been burnt several times in the past because I didn't know better. Now, I work with my ideal clients: those that are pre-qualified and acknowledge the value that I bring to the transaction.
I could say that I have never had these opportunities to share these lessons if I hadn't learn doing it the wrong way. I did whatever it took to survive my first year knowing that the odds of my success were against me. Then, I continued to work hard (sometimes 7 days/week non stop) for the next 3 years. And again working up to having guts to shape and form my ideal clients.
Not all rookie or seasoned agents have the opportunities that I have. But also another lesson to learn, before you become successful, don't be corky about some of these lessons. So, if you are new, you will probably need to do whatever it takes including working Sundays and letting people's priorities supersede yours for a short time. It won't go unnoticed.
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Contact:
Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com
Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.
Copyright © 2009 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY).
3 Important
Lessons I Learnt as a Realtor(R).
